The Mid-Autumn Festival is a time to taste mooncakes, but due to their high sugar and calorie content, individuals with high blood sugar should avoid them. At the same time, mooncakes are also a minefield for those trying to lose weight, so it is recommended to eat them in small amounts or avoid them altogether. There are many varieties of mooncakes, and their sugar and calorie content varies; a typical-sized mooncake has a calorie count comparable to several steamed buns.
Excessive consumption of mooncakes may have adverse effects, especially for individuals with oily skin, as it may lead to heat and acne. Mooncakes are sweet and greasy, making them difficult to digest, which can cause food accumulation and excess gastric heat. Although the baking process endows mooncakes with an enticing flavor, it may also trigger “heat” or gastrointestinal stagnation, leading to increased body heat. In addition, mooncakes often contain nuts such as melon seeds and peanuts, which can also easily provoke heat when consumed in large quantities.
Children, due to their more sensitive gastrointestinal systems, may experience symptoms such as bloating, mild diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting if they consume excessive amounts of high-sugar, high-calorie, and high-fat mooncakes, which can even affect their appetite and mental state.
Mooncakes are high in calories and rich in fat, equivalent to that of several bowls of rice, and may lead to weight gain, so individuals trying to lose weight should eat them cautiously.
Certain demographics need to be extra careful when enjoying mooncakes. The high sugar and fat content may raise blood lipids and glucose levels, which is particularly detrimental for patients with certain diseases, potentially triggering acute gallbladder disease. Mooncakes can also increase blood viscosity in individuals with hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular diseases, hindering recovery. For patients with certain skin conditions, the high sugar and fat content in mooncakes may exacerbate their ailments. Patients with gastric and duodenal ulcers who consume excessive mooncakes may stimulate gastric acid secretion, which is detrimental to ulcer healing. Therefore, while enjoying the deliciousness of mooncakes, attention should be paid to moderation, especially for individuals with specific health conditions.
