How should lotus seeds be eaten for the best health benefits, how many to eat a day, and can children eat them?

The golden-autumn health-preserving ingredient lotus seed is mainly produced in Yuetang, Xiangtan, Hunan; Jianning, Sanming, Fujian; and Wuyi, Jinhua, Zhejiang. Lotus seeds have been recognized by the public since ancient times as an excellent tonic, and can help strengthen the spleen and stop diarrhea, and calm the mind and aid sleep. What other benefits do they have?How should lotus seeds be eaten for good health? How many is best to eat a day? Can children eat them?

I. Benefits and effects of lotus seeds

1. Calms the mind and aids sleep

Whether in ancient times or today, when people have sleep problems or worries, what we hear most often is to have a bowl of “tremella and lotus seed soup,” which can help calm the mind and aid sleep.

2. Nourishing

Elderly people with a weak constitution or those with diarrhea can choose to eat lotus seeds.

3. Lowers blood lipids and blood pressure and clears heart fire

4. Although lotus plumule steeped in water tastes bitter, its effects should not be underestimated; it can help lower blood lipids and blood pressure, detoxify, cool the body, and clear heart fire.

5. Prevents diabetes

The lotus receptacle, that is, the thin green skin wrapping the outside of the lotus seed, can be boiled in water to help prevent diabetes.

II. How to eat lotus seeds?

1. Eaten raw

Lotus seeds from a freshly picked lotus seedpod can be eaten raw. They taste sweet with a hint of bitterness and are very refreshing.

2. Tremella and lotus seed soup

Step one: prepare the ingredients (lotus seeds, tremella, pear) and wash them; break the tremella into pieces and peel and cube the pear;

Step two: put the lotus seeds into a pot, preferably a clay pot;

Step three: add an appropriate amount of water and rock sugar, and bring to a boil over high heat;

Step three: after it boils, skim off the froth on top, then simmer over low heat; after one hour it can be taken off the heat and enjoyed.

3. Job's tears, red bean and lotus seed porridge

Step one: prepare the ingredients, lotus seeds, Job's tears and red beans, and soak them in advance for about half an hour;

Step two: bring the water in the pot to a boil;

Step three: add the three prepared ingredients and a small amount of glutinous rice;

Step four: after boiling over high heat for half an hour, turn to low heat; set the time yourself, and once it becomes thick and sticky, it can be taken off the heat and eaten. If you like it sweet, you can add a small amount of rock sugar.

III. How many lotus seeds is best to eat a day?

Here we take raw lotus seeds as an example; the amount eaten is about one lotus seedpod's worth. If you want to clear heart fire, it is best to eat them together with the lotus plumule. If you do not like the bitter taste, you can remove the lotus plumule before eating. Eating too many lotus seeds is also not good and may lead to bloating, diarrhea, and similar conditions.

IV. Can young children eat lotus seeds?

Young children can eat lotus seeds, and this season is just right for using lotus seeds to nourish a child's body. But at the same time, when giving them to children, we should pay attention to the following points:

1. Appropriate amount

Lotus seeds have a high starch content, and children's stomachs and intestines are relatively delicate, so bloating may occur; therefore, the amount should be appropriate.

2. Do not eat with milk

Eating them together affects digestion, so it is not recommended to drink milk after eating lotus seeds.

3. Cook until soft

Lotus seeds that are not cooked until soft can easily choke a child's throat, and if not handled properly it is very dangerous, so they must be cooked until soft.