After entering autumn, the rainfall decreases, and the dryness of autumn comes upon us.
This “dryness” manifests itself in various aspects, such as dry skin, dry mouth and throat, dry cough with little phlegm, and constipation.
Among these, the most distressing is undoubtedly constipation caused by hard stools.
To avoid being plagued by constipation, dietary adjustments are necessary. For instance, the common “rice” we eat has its own secrets.
There are 2 types of rice that can lead to “constipation”: the more you eat, the more your intestines will get blocked! 01 Glutinous Rice
Glutinous rice is sweet and soft, but it’s not recommended to eat too much of it.
On one hand, glutinous rice is sticky and difficult to digest; excessive consumption can easily lead to indigestion, stomach bloating, stomach pain, and nausea. On the other hand, glutinous rice is much denser than white rice. For the same size rice ball, glutinous rice usually weighs more, and if you’re not careful, it’s easy to overeat.
If your digestive function is poor, and your stomach can’t digest it, undigested glutinous rice balls will directly enter the intestines, causing blockages and triggering constipation, which in severe cases can lead to intestinal obstruction.
Therefore, groups such as children, patients with stomach diseases, and diabetics should avoid eating too much glutinous rice. For the general public, it’s best to eat glutinous rice while it’s hot; warm glutinous rice is easier to digest, but don’t overeat it either.
02 Black Beans
As the saying goes, “winter supplements the kidneys.” During the autumn and winter supplementing season, many people like to cook various nourishing soups with black beans.
Black beans can indeed nourish the kidneys and promote yin, but they should not be consumed in excess, as they can cause abdominal bloating and lead to constipation.
Especially for the elderly and children, whose digestive abilities are poorer, they should avoid excessive consumption. For those with poor stomach health who are prone to bloating, it’s best not to eat black beans to avoid worsening their condition.
In addition, black beans are relatively difficult to cook until soft; many people often tolerate eating the harder beans, which can also lead to indigestion.
There are also people who swallow black beans whole for health benefits. Although there are relevant records in ancient texts, this practice is not advocated today. Eating them without chewing makes them hard to digest.
In summary, when cooking black bean soup, be sure to cook until they are fully soft before eating. If they are not soft enough, it’s advisable to skip the beans and just drink the soup.
Having discussed constipation-causing rice, let’s talk about 3 types of rice that help alleviate constipation—
3 types of rice are “moistening rice,”
which will definitely make you go to the bathroom!
01 Brown Rice
Brown rice is obtained by milling the paddy rice, removing the coarse bran shell, and retaining the germ and inner layer, resulting in a grain that appears slightly yellow — this is brown rice. When brown rice is husked and finely milled, it becomes the white rice we typically eat.
Compared to white rice, brown rice is more nutritious, can lower cholesterol, and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Furthermore, the coarse fiber molecules in the bran layer help promote gastrointestinal motility, which is beneficial for bowel movements, making it suitable for individuals with constipation.
