Stir-fried pig intestines with pickled mustard greens has become a popular dish on social media recently, loved by many. But can everyone indulge in this dish without concern?
In an interview, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Duy Thinh, a former lecturer at the Institute of Food Technology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, stated that stir-fried pig intestines is a rustic dish favored by many.
“This dish is not toxic; most men enjoy it while drinking. Of course, pig intestines contain cholesterol, which can be harmful to those with cardiovascular diseases…”
“Moreover, the intestines are part of the pig that contains waste, so the only thing to pay attention to is food safety. If the intestines are not cleaned properly, they can easily become contaminated, increasing the risk of parasitic infections and bacterial infections due to poor food hygiene,” warned Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Duy Thinh.
Delicious and visually appealing stir-fried pig intestines.
Meanwhile, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Lam, former Deputy Director of the National Institute of Nutrition, indicated that pig intestines are high in cholesterol, and excessive consumption can lead to increased blood fat and atherosclerosis; therefore, they should not be eaten frequently. Consequently, she recommends that people should only consume this dish 1-2 times a month.
Regarding pickled mustard greens, a familiar rustic dish for many, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Lam emphasized that because pickled vegetables contain a lot of salt for preservation, people should also avoid consuming them in large quantities to prevent high blood pressure.
“The dish of pickled mustard greens cooked with pig intestines should only be eaten 1-2 times a month at most,” Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Lam told reporters.
Experts also caution that not everyone can eat pig intestines. Certain groups may face health risks from consuming them.
Firstly, those who are ill, have a cold, or a fever with weakened immunity should avoid eating pig intestines. The high cholesterol content can cause bloating and indigestion, so individuals in poor health should refrain from consuming them.
Additionally, pig intestines can harbor various bacteria and viruses that are parasitic and reside within the animal’s body. These bacteria can carry numerous diseases and easily transfer to humans if ingested. Therefore, when experiencing a cold or fatigue, one should avoid eating dishes made with pig intestines as they can be hard to digest…
Pregnant women are also advised against consuming organ dishes (such as blood pudding, pig intestines, liver, gizzard, etc.) because these organ meats, especially if their origins are unclear, pose significant risks of bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections (such as worms) that can be transmitted to humans.
A more concerning illness is infection with Streptococcus suis, a bacterium that often resides in the blood, internal organs, and meat of pigs. Consuming products from pigs that are not thoroughly cooked, such as blood pudding or fermented pork, can allow the bacteria to enter the human body and cause disease. This poses a serious threat to health.
Furthermore, individuals with poor digestive systems should also avoid animal organs. Most pig organs contain a large amount of E. coli and bacteria that can cause diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, and typhoid.
Thus, consuming improperly prepared pig intestines can expose individuals to intestinal infections such as diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, and abdominal pain…
Even more dangerously, one may face parasitic diseases such as tapeworms, dog tapeworms, and trichinosis. Those infected with these diseases often suffer severe health consequences, and in severe cases, it can lead to death.
Especially for individuals with cardiovascular diseases, it is crucial to avoid this beloved dish. Pig intestines and organ meats in general are high in protein, rich in fat, and contain very high levels of cholesterol.
Consuming too much pig intestines can lead not only to overweight and obesity but also to various cardiovascular diseases. This is particularly true for the elderly and those with metabolic disorders such as high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, diabetes, gout, and obesity, who must strictly avoid high-cholesterol foods like pig intestines.
