Sea cucumbers and things you might not know

(Baonghean.vn) - It has become a sought-after food among gentlemen because, according to popular belief...Many believe that sea cucumbers can enhance male potency and strengthen the kidneys. However, they don't realize that sea cucumbers are actually used to nourish yin energy. This misconception has led to unfortunate consequences in some cases.

1. Does sea cucumber really enhance male potency?

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Many documents, even the renowned journal of the Ministry of Health, state that sea cucumbers are warming, aphrodisiac, and kidney-tonifying. This belief has been passed down through generations in folklore. Many Chinese people flock to enjoy sea cucumbers, believing them to be a "natural aphrodisiac."

Vietnamese people also consider sea cucumber-infused wine a valuable remedy for male impotence. However, recently, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Huong - Chairman of the Vietnam Traditional Medicine Association - emphasized a contrasting opinion: sea cucumbers have a cooling nature, nourish yin, and are good for women, not for yang!

According to his analysis, marine creatures with scales are considered yang, while those without scales are generally considered yin. To answer the question of why sea cucumbers are still included in traditional aphrodisiac remedies, Mr. Huong emphasized: Aphrodisiac remedies typically contain about eight yang-boosting ingredients and two yin-boosting ingredients. Therefore, although sea cucumbers are yin-boosting, they are present in aphrodisiac remedies.

Because of its yin nature, excessive use by men will certainly have adverse effects. For it to be beneficial for men, it needs to be incorporated into medicine, and doctors must prescribe the appropriate remedy based on each individual's specific condition. It's also important to note that the original meaning of "aphrodisiac" refers to overall physical health, not necessarily sexual function. Furthermore, sea cucumber is not good for people with chronic colitis, obesity, or dysentery.

2. Where can you find nutritious sea cucumbers?

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Sea cucumbers are compared to ginseng because they contain many beneficial nutrients: up to 55% protein while fat is only about 2%. In particular, sea cucumbers are rich in amino acids such as glycine, arginine, leucine, alanine, glutamine, taurine, and many trace elements: 1 kg of sea cucumber contains up to 192 mg of iron and 64 mg of copper, thus increasing red blood cell production, improving oxygen absorption, and enhancing memory.

Sea cucumbers also contain holotoxin, a substance with antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, which helps wounds heal faster. Therefore, sea cucumbers are very suitable for people with weakened bodies, postpartum women, and those with anemia, as a tonic.

Sea cucumbers are also considered a promising ingredient for treating incurable diseases. Recently, modern medicine has discovered components such as chondroitin and saponin that have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. Modern medicine has extracted these components from sea cucumbers to make medicine, and they hope that in the future they will make a useful contribution to the fight against cancer.

The Vietnam Institute of Natural Compounds Chemistry (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) has also researched and discovered three compounds in the white sea cucumber species in Vietnamese waters, namely holothurigenin A3, A4, and holothurigenin B, that inhibit liver cancer cells, epithelial cancer cells, and uterine lining cancer cells.

Speaking of beauty, sea cucumber is a "secret" to fighting aging. This is because this "sea cucumber" contains selenium (5.5-14mg/kg), which helps relieve stress and neutralize free radicals during physical activity. Therefore, the rumor that "eating sea cucumber makes your skin rosy and keeps you young" is entirely scientifically sound.

3.Benefits for women when eating sea cucumber

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Sea cucumbers were once hailed as a beauty elixir because they contain over 60% collagen, which increases cell longevity – directly participating in cell regeneration and significantly preventing aging. Furthermore, sea cucumbers also have a relatively high testosterone content, a hormone that helps improve and regulate female hormones, enhancing stamina and overall health for women.

Sea cucumbers contain a very high amount of protein, with 18 valuable amino acids essential for the body, including arginine – an amino acid crucial for boosting the body's immune function, reducing inflammation, alleviating symptoms of weakness, improving blood circulation, preventing colds and flu, strengthening the immune system, and providing energy to the body.

Furthermore, sea cucumbers contain nicotinic acid, taurine, potassium, nickel, and other nutrients that quickly relieve fatigue and regulate the nervous system. By consuming sea cucumbers daily, health and beauty will always go hand in hand.

4. Benefits of sea cucumber for pregnant women

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Sea cucumbers are rich in protein and low in fat. Their protein content includes 18 types of amino acids, including valuable amino acids essential for the body such as glycine, phenylalanine, threonine, arginine, leucine, alanine, glutamine, and taurine. Sea cucumbers also contain many beneficial trace minerals such as zinc, iron, copper, iodine, and chromium. Nutritionally, sea cucumbers are essential for supplementing the nutritional needs of pregnant women.

Sea cucumbers contain essential components for the body's blood-forming function, helping to treat anemia in pregnant mothers and reduce the risk of colds. Sea cucumbers contain the necessary mineral iron, while holothurin can stimulate the growth of red blood cells in the bone marrow, which is responsible for blood formation.

Furthermore, during pregnancy, fluctuating progesterone levels can easily lead to infections with harmful bacteria. Sea cucumbers contain Holothurin, a compound that can inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria and fungi (Trichophyton, Mucor, Candida, Aspergillus, and Trichomonas), helping to boost the mother's immunity and promote the healthy development of the fetus.

Sea cucumbers also contain large amounts of unsaturated fatty acids DHA and EPA, which are essential for the development of fetal brain nerve cells, as well as iodine which helps in the development of fetal intelligence.

Pregnant women are encouraged to consume sea cucumber from the beginning of their pregnancy, as it benefits not only their health but also the healthy and complete development of their unborn child.

5. Benefits of eating sea cucumber for the elderly

Regulating blood lipids, regulating blood sugar levels, preventing aging, eliminating fatigue, improving immunity, and enhancing disease resistance... These are the amazing benefits of sea cucumbers for the elderly.

Sea cucumbers are nutritious, high in protein, low in lipids, and cholesterol-free: an ideal tonic for people with diabetes, coronary artery disease, nervous exhaustion, and for blood enrichment (often used in cases of anemia). They also support the treatment of cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure in the elderly.

6. Sea cucumbers are also poisonous.

Consumers should exercise caution when purchasing sea cucumbers for consumption, as not all sea cucumbers are safe. (Illustrative image)

There are currently about 1,100 species of sea cucumbers in the world. However, not all of them are edible. In the waters of China, out of 150 species, only 28 are edible.

In Vietnam, there are about 50 common species of sea cucumber, including black sea cucumber (Holothuria vagabunda), white sea cucumber (H. scabra), teat sea cucumber (Microthele nobilis Selenka), jackfruit sea cucumber (Actinopyga echinites Jaeger), green jackfruit sea cucumber (Ctinopyga caerulea Samyn), amber sea cucumber (H. thelenota), pomegranate sea cucumber (The Lenota Ananas), etc. Among them, the white sea cucumber is considered the most valuable.

Large, long sea cucumbers with smooth, spineless skin are of lower quality than those with sticky, spiny flesh. Although belonging to a noble family, many species, such as Stichopus variegates and Holothuria martensu, contain lanostane, a potent enzyme inhibitor. Therefore, they can cause poisoning and death if consumed.

Kim Ngoc

(Synthetic)