Usage characteristics of chopsticks with different materials
Log chopsticks
Log chopsticks are the most common choice of chopsticks in most families. But friends in Guangdong should be careful. The weather in Lingnan area is humid, especially in southern China. Wooden chopsticks are easy to breed Aspergillus flavus.
According to the doctor, the secondary metabolite aflatoxin produced by Aspergillus flavus is the most toxic and carcinogenic natural carcinogen found at present.
Chopsticks themselves do not grow Aspergillus flavus, but starch is easily hidden in unwashed chopsticks. In a humid and warm environment, such chopsticks are prone to mildew and produce aflatoxin. In addition, wooden chopsticks may have cracks after being used for a long time, and these tiny cracks are also easy to hide evil people and shelter evil people, and aflatoxin will also be produced after mildew. The wooden chopping block commonly used in our family will also have such problems.
How to prevent chopsticks from becoming moldy? Sun Feng suggested: 1. Chopsticks should be thoroughly cleaned; 2. Always take chopsticks out to bask in the sun; 3. Disinfect chopsticks frequently with a disinfection cupboard; It is best to replace wooden chopsticks after half a year.
Painted chopsticks
Lacquered chopsticks are also loved by many families because of their colorful patterns. However, the surface of lacquer chopsticks is coated with a layer of paint, which is at risk of falling off after long-term use. Doctors say that these paints often contain heavy metals, which will increase the burden on the liver and kidneys during metabolism after ingestion.
Disposable bamboo chopsticks
Disposable bamboo chopsticks are standard for takeout. Disposable chopsticks are also often called "sanitary chopsticks". Are sanitary chopsticks really sanitary? Actually, not necessarily. Disposable bamboo chopsticks are often processed in small workshops, and talcum powder will be added during the processing, so that they can be mixed with chopsticks to dry and polish. The chopsticks that come out like this will become very smooth.
Disposable chopsticks produced in this way will have a large number of chemical substances left on the surface of chopsticks and infiltrated into the chopsticks, which will do great harm to the human body. Taking talcum powder as an example, it will increase the metabolic burden of the liver after entering the human body, and the accumulation of the amount will make people get gallstones.
Metal chopsticks
Little friends who often eat Korean food are no strangers to metal chopsticks. From the point of view of hygiene, this kind of metal chopsticks should be regarded as the healthiest. Compared with bamboo chopsticks and wooden chopsticks, metal chopsticks are generally made of stainless steel, which is smooth and relatively difficult to breed microorganisms.
However, everything has two sides. Metal chopsticks are smooth and heavy, sometimes it is not easy to pick up vegetables, and it takes a while to get used to them.
How to put chopsticks after cleaning?
What will you do after washing chopsticks? Big head up or small head up? Many people have not paid attention to it. In fact, from the perspective of preventing liver disease, it is best to hold your head high and hold your chest high.
Chopsticks will have some cracks and small burrs when used for a long time, and it is inevitable that food residues will remain on them. Once the food residue on chopsticks is moldy, even the disinfection cabinet at 100℃ is helpless. Therefore, it is suggested that the washed chopsticks should be dried head-up and head-down, otherwise it is easy to get moldy in the wet heat in the chopsticks basket, and then it will infect Aspergillus flavus and secrete aflatoxin.
In China, hepatitis is the first cause of liver cancer, and aflatoxin is the second cause, which is easily overlooked. It is suggested that bamboo chopsticks should be replaced once every six months, or chopsticks made of resin should be selected, which has a smooth surface and is not easy to have food left on it. Metal chopsticks are also a good choice.
How to clean chopsticks?
1, wash chopsticks in pairs, don't rub them hard, even chopsticks used at home, it is best to use them exclusively. If chopsticks are made of high-temperature resistant wood, resin or plastic, they can also be heated in the microwave oven for 3 minutes after cleaning to achieve the purpose of sterilization.
2. Prepare a special cloth for cleaning chopsticks, clean the chopsticks after each cleaning, and then spread them on the bowl rack to dry. It is best to disinfect them regularly. Finally, put the chopsticks head up into the vertical chopsticks cage. Chopsticks cages should be stored in a ventilated and dry place to prevent mold pollution.
In addition, putting chopsticks in boiling water for half an hour every week, and then drying them in the air before use can achieve good disinfection effect.
Rub chopsticks to prevent colds.
Chinese medicine believes that hands, like feet, also have many reflex zones, and organs and orifices of human limbs have corresponding parts in hands. Constantly stimulating hand acupoints can stimulate internal organs, promote blood circulation, improve arm numbness, diarrhea and other diseases and prevent colds. Here I recommend a simple method-rubbing chopsticks.
The specific operation method is: take two chopsticks with square edges, put them in the palm of your hand, rub them repeatedly with your hands, and try to make them touch every position in the palm of your hand. Rub for 3~5 minutes each time, and apply some hand cream to protect the skin before rubbing.