By love-89.com Interviewer: It’s interesting to see that many young people today are taking unique approaches to wellness. Have you come across the term “punk health”? It appears to be quite popular among the youth, who are balancing self-care with a lifestyle full of indulgences. For instance, there’s a trend of “pulling the longest nights while using the most luxurious face masks.” This mix of extremes has even made its way into desserts, with intriguing combinations like herbal medicine-infused ice cream, ginseng in “lazy drinks,” and goji berry coffee. What are your thoughts on these innovative pairings?
Expert: It’s definitely an intriguing trend! Today, I think it’s worth focusing on the fusion of traditional Chinese medicine with desserts. Can these combinations actually contribute to wellness?
Interviewer: Let’s kick things off with medicinal ice cream. What’s the idea behind it?
Expert: Medicinal ice cream incorporates a variety of medicinal ingredients that share similar dietary properties, including flavors like bamboo fragrance jasmine, chuanbei loquat, smoked black plums, hawthorn with Buddha’s hand, and longan with red dates. While it’s an innovative concept, we must remember that ice cream is still fundamentally ice cream, no matter the added ingredients. In essence, it’s a cold, raw dessert.
Interviewer: So even with warming herbs, its fundamental characteristics remain unchanged?
Expert: Exactly! Even if you include warming agents like aconite and dried ginger, they won’t transform ice cream into a warming food. The efficacy of herbal formulas comes from the precise combination and cooking of ingredients to release their medicinal properties. Just piling on herbal elements to consume them dry won’t yield any therapeutic benefits.
Interviewer: So it sounds like herbal ice cream might not be as healthful as some might assume?
Expert: That’s right! Without the cooking process—and given that many traditional Chinese medicine guidelines suggest avoiding cold foods—it’s safe to conclude that no matter how many health-promoting herbs are packed in, herbal ice cream is still just ice cream and doesn’t offer genuine health benefits.
Interviewer: What about herbal coffee? How do you perceive this trend?
Expert: The surge in herbal coffee, such as goji berry coffee and ejiao coffee, seems to stem from a desire for wellness. However, these so-called “medicinal coffees” don’t really provide true health benefits. Claims that goji berry coffee is perfect for night owls can be misleading. While coffee and goji may not have harmful interactions, combining them won’t fix the effects of sleep deprivation. What those folks really need is a regular sleep schedule—not more caffeine.
Interviewer: So it’s okay in moderation, but excess is not advisable?
Expert: Exactly! Having an occasional cup can be beneficial, but overdoing it can lead to gastrointestinal issues, headaches, and disrupted sleep patterns. For individuals with conditions like hypertension, regular excessive consumption can pose risks to cardiovascular health.
Interviewer: What’s your viewpoint on herbal carbonated drinks that are marketed as health beverages?
Expert: Generally, carbonated drinks are not healthy choices. Consuming them excessively can lead to a high calorie intake and contribute to obesity. They often cause bloating and discomfort due to carbonation and their high sugar levels can result in tooth decay and an increased risk of diabetes. Moreover, the higher concentrations of calcium and oxalate from processing these drinks can potentially lead to kidney stones.
Interviewer: So adding herbs doesn’t alleviate the fundamental issues with these beverages?
Expert: Exactly! Including herbs in carbonated drinks won’t change their inherent health risks. Effective herbal remedies require careful formulation and preparation, usually involving boiling related herbs to activate their benefits. I recommend minimizing consumption of carbonated drinks and opting for warm water as a primary hydration choice.
Interviewer: Thank you for clarifying these trends! It seems there’s a lot of misinformation about wellness practices circulating nowadays.
Expert: Thank you! It’s crucial for consumers to educate themselves about what genuinely supports their health.