The Dragon Boat Festival, or Tết Đoan Ngọ, is a traditional holiday in Vietnam, and the food prepared for this occasion is believed to have health benefits. The spread often includes sweet rice wine, plums, lychees, and ash cake. The sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors of these dishes are thought to “kill parasites” and protect one’s health.
Plums, for instance, are believed to have benefits when consumed correctly. Their sourness is thought to kill parasites and harmful microorganisms in the stomach. Sweet rice wine, a must-have dish during the festival, is made from fermented sticky rice and has a mild sweetness with a spicy kick. It is believed that when consuming this dish, parasites will be intoxicated and eliminated.
The dishes served during the Dragon Boat Festival are believed to have beneficial effects on the body. From a scientific perspective, PGS.TS.BS Nguyen Trong Hung, from the National Institute of Nutrition, shares that the ancient belief of “killing parasites” is actually a way to detox and cleanse the digestive system during seasonal changes. Dishes like sweet rice wine and vitamin C-rich fruits are beneficial for digestion.
Fruits such as plums, which are high in vitamin C, help cool the body, generate body fluids, and quench thirst. They also aid digestion, promote urination, and treat conditions like internal heat, indigestion, and difficult urination. Studies also indicate that plums have strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties, and protect cells from free radical damage, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer.
Similarly, research supports the benefits of sweet rice wine in preventing cardiovascular disease, stroke, and hypertension. Studies on individuals allergic to blood pressure medications found that sweet rice wine could lower harmful cholesterol levels in the blood.
Despite their benefits, PGS Nguyen Trong Hung advises against consuming fruits like plums and lychees on an empty stomach, especially first thing in the morning. The acid in these fruits can irritate the stomach lining, causing bloating or pain. Likewise, sweet rice wine should not be consumed when hungry; it is advisable to eat a light snack beforehand.
Plums and sweet rice wine should not be consumed together or on an empty stomach to avoid adverse health effects. Photo illustration.
“When consuming these foods, it’s important to consider scientific knowledge to avoid any negative impact on health. Additionally, we should not overeat these dishes, especially the rice wine and plums, due to their potential health risks,” advises Doctor Hung. “Those with a history of stomach problems, diabetes, or high liver enzymes should be cautious and adjust their portions accordingly. Furthermore, consuming sweet rice wine can increase alcohol levels in the breath, so refrain from operating vehicles afterward.”
Herbalist Bui Dac Sang, from the Hanoi Oriental Medicine Association, notes that while all the dishes in the Dragon Boat Festival spread have their benefits, some combinations should be avoided. For instance, plums and sweet rice wine should be consumed at least two hours apart as they can cause adverse health effects when eaten together.
According to Mr. Sang, both plums and sweet rice wine are considered hot in nature, and consuming them together can lead to internal heat, acne, and constipation. Eating these dishes together, especially on an empty stomach in the morning, can cause stomach irritation and fatigue. It is best to eat plums in the morning and sweet rice wine in the afternoon or evening. Additionally, when purchasing sweet rice wine from street vendors, be cautious as it can easily become moldy, producing aflatoxin, which is harmful to health.
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