But doctor's reminder: Did you drink it right? The "traditional Chinese medicine version" of sour plum soup, which is compared to sauce flavored latte, only costs 1.34 yuan per stick

Many familiar ingredients can be used as medicine, as medicine and food share the same origin. Combining traditional Chinese medicine with culinary cooking can not only enjoy delicious cuisine but also strengthen the body. Nowadays, the post-2000s have also joined the army of health preservation, and traditional Chinese medicine is increasingly valued by the public. Recently, the sour plum soup from Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine topped social media searches: due to a surge in order volume, over 60000 sour plum soup priced at 1.34 yuan per post were sold both inside and outside the hospital, making sour plum soup a standout product against sauce flavored lattes this season.

In fact, sour plum soup is a common beverage on the dining table every summer. What is its nutritional and medicinal value? Is sour plum soup a suitable drink for everyone? Tan Tao, the chief nutritionist at Renji Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and the executive director of the Clinical Nutrition Department at Wuxi SK Hospital, brought "drinking precautions" to the Jiefang Daily Shangguan News reporter.

Dual use of medicine and food, sour plum soup also has value in modern nutrition

In fact, not only in Zhejiang Province, but also in many traditional Chinese medicine hospitals in Guangdong Province, sour plum soup has been provided for a long time. "Although the sour plum soup is a traditional drink in old Beijing, its main raw material is dark plum, which is produced in the south. Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, is a major production area of high-quality dark plum. Hangzhou, as a favorite of the Internet age, has all the advantages of time and place, and the online red sour plum soup is naturally easier to spread." Tan Tao said that residents in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao have always had the tradition of preparing and drinking various herbal teas. "After the introduction of sour plum soup, combined with local eating habits, they often add red dates, longan and other ingredients to make improvements. The habit of drinking herbal tea for a long time has also provided a deep mass foundation for the promotion of sour plum soup." Shanghai has always been known for "embracing all rivers, inclusive and reserved" Different food cultures converge here, and shopping malls and roadside beverage stores are lined up. Therefore, the most common application scenarios of sour plum soup are often drinks from ordinary restaurants or even free drinks.

Tan Tao explained that Wumei has a sour taste, which can clear heat, relieve heat, produce saliva, and quench thirst; Chenpi has a pungent taste, regulates qi and invigorates the spleen, and has a fragrant aroma to dispel turbidity; Hawthorn has a sour taste, which is appetizing, appetizing, and can promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis. Combining these medicinal herbs together can invigorate the spleen, replenish qi, promote body fluids, and relieve heat. At the same time, from a modern nutritional perspective, acidic foods such as black plums and hawthorn, rich in organic acids, dietary fiber, and other beneficial substances, can promote food digestion, improve food accumulation, and regulate blood lipids.

In addition, these foods are rich in flavonoids such as anthocyanins and quercetin, which have good antioxidant effects. "However, it should be noted that although sour plum soup has a good dual-use effect on medicine and food, everyone's physique is different, and it should also be combined with the applicable population and medication method. Especially for people with poor spleen and stomach function, digestive ulcers, and easy diarrhea, it is not suitable."

"Beverage version" sour plum soup does not equal "Chinese medicine version" sour plum soup

However, many citizens have doubts: while sour plum soup is delicious, its sour and sweet taste still feels like a beverage. Is it really healthy to replace milk tea with it? Tan Tao explained that sour plum soup issued by hospitals or traditional Chinese medicine rooms is a type of traditional Chinese medicine soup, strictly speaking, belonging to the category of traditional Chinese medicine. Its main purpose is to prevent and treat related diseases, and in principle, it will not add white sugar, rock sugar or other seasoning to pursue taste, let alone food additives.

"While the sour plum soup provided by ordinary restaurants is generally commercialized sour plum powder, sour plum paste, etc., which are sold after being diluted with water. Although this kind of sour plum soup drink is still boiled with black plum, hawthorn, orange peel and other raw materials, a large amount of granulated sugar and fructose syrup are added in the processing process to reduce the sour taste." Tan Tao said, in addition, businesses will add various food additives as appropriate, such as citric acid for adjusting the acid, caramel color for adjusting the color, aspartame for increasing the sweet taste, thickening and stabilizing sodium alginate, antiseptic sodium benzoate, flavored edible essence, etc. "Therefore, when drinking as traditional Chinese medicine, one should follow medical advice; when drinking as a beverage, one should avoid drinking excessively."

Tan Tao said that for the "Chinese medicine version" of sour plum soup, there is not only a clear target audience, but also corresponding consumption requirements. It is recommended to consume it reasonably based on the doctor's "syndrome differentiation and treatment", rather than randomly going to the Chinese medicine room to grab a pair and self decoct it.

For sour plum soup sold in regular restaurants or self purchased sour plum powder or cream, attention should be paid to the intake during the drinking process. "Essentially, this is a sugary beverage that should not be consumed excessively," said Tan Tao. The following groups of people need to pay special attention:

First, people with diabetes and obesity. The sugar content of sour plum soup is generally above 10%. A cup of sour plum soup can easily consume 30 grams of sugar. It is not recommended for people who need to control their blood sugar and weight.

Secondly, patients with excessive gastric acid, reflux esophagitis, and peptic ulcers. Wumei, hawthorn and other medicinal and edible ingredients are rich in organic acids, which can easily stimulate the mucosa and worsen the condition.

Thirdly, school-age children. Children's gastrointestinal mucosa is relatively fragile and not suitable for consuming acidic foods.

Fourthly, pregnant women. Sugary drinks are not conducive to controlling reasonable weight gain during pregnancy. In addition, hawthorn has the effect of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, and can also stimulate uterine smooth muscle. Therefore, it is not recommended to drink more.