Is the effect of lotus seeds with and without edges the same

The efficacy of lotus seeds with and without edges is basically the same, with the main difference being cooking convenience and taste. After opening the edges, lotus seeds are easier to cook and have a softer and more glutinous taste, but the core nutrients such as protein, starch, minerals, and alkaloids are preserved intact.

The edge opening treatment of lotus seeds mainly involves changes in physical form, without damaging their active ingredients. The main active ingredients of lotus seeds include alkaloids such as berberine and isoberberine, as well as abundant minerals such as potassium and magnesium, which can be retained even after opening. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that lotus seeds have the effects of tonifying the spleen, stopping diarrhea, nourishing the heart and calming the mind, and whether they are opened or not does not affect their medicinal properties. Modern research has also confirmed that the dissolution rate of starch, protein, and polyphenols in lotus seeds may slightly increase after edge opening, but there is no significant difference in overall nutritional value.

Unopened intact lotus seeds, due to the protection of the outer seed coat, release some water-soluble components slowly, making them suitable for therapeutic recipes that require long-term stewing. For example, using whole lotus seeds in Si Shen Tang can delay the starch gelatinization time and make the soup clearer and smoother. The lotus seeds with open edges are more suitable for making instant Congee or cakes, such as lotus seeds and lily soup, because of the increased contact area. Attention should be paid to the bitter taste and cold nature of lotus seed cores. Those with weak and cold constitution should remove the core and use it regardless of whether the edge is opened or not.

It is recommended to choose the form of lotus seeds for daily consumption according to cooking needs. For those with weak spleen and stomach, open edge lotus seeds can be preferred to reduce digestive burden. Lotus seeds should not be eaten with cold food, and should be sealed and moisture-proof during storage to avoid oxidation of nutrients. If it is used to soothe the nerves and help sleep, it can be used with longan meat, wild jujube kernel and other ingredients to enhance the efficacy, but diabetes patients need to control the consumption.