# Why Do Chinese People Eat Ginko Fruit? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 25, 2002, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-chinese-people-eat-ginko-fruit/125493 "2002-08-25T15:17:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2002, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-chinese-people-eat-ginko-fruit/125493/1 "2002-08-25T15:17:41Z")
Well, it is almost September…and the ginko trees are dropping their malodorous fruit! For those of you who havent smelled them,it is awful,to me they smell like spoiled milk mixed with rotten fish-absolutely terrible. But I have noticed a lot of mostly elderly Chinese men gathering up the fruit. I asked one of these guys why he used the fruit-the answer I got was that the fruit was supposed to lower your blood pressure. I just heard that the ginko has no effect on memory, so, I ask you asian-americans…is this stuff worth eating? How do you stand the awful smell?😕 ---
**Author:** ![Urban\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Urban\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urban_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2002, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-chinese-people-eat-ginko-fruit/125493/2 "2002-08-25T15:25:27Z")
Even though IANAAA (I am not an Asian-American), you don’t eat the fruit, you eat the nuts. IIRC you stick the fruit in a quicklime solution until the freshy layer falls off. As for the memory thing it’s not the fruit it’s the leaves. Also read some experts having contrary opinions with regards to the new research. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2002, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-chinese-people-eat-ginko-fruit/125493/3 "2002-08-25T17:42:30Z")
Ah, the world’s oldest species of tree. Here’s what one site has to say: > [@](#): > > Medicinal Uses: Most of the almost 300 published studies and reports done to date, use a standardized Ginkgo biloba extract which is most commonly prescribed by alternative-minded doctors and pharmacists worldwide. Results have indicated it has the ability to increase blood circulation, not only to the brain, but to the extremities of the body as well. It has been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation (the bunching up like a cluster of grapes) and also regulates the tone and elasticity of blood vessels. It’s been shown to improve circulation to both large arteries and the smaller capillaries throughout the body. One study showed a 57% increase in blood flow through the nail-fold capillaries within one hour of consumption. Of course, they do have some to sell you, so consider the source. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2002, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-chinese-people-eat-ginko-fruit/125493/4 "2002-08-25T18:04:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Attrayant \* > \*\*Ah, the world’s oldest species of tree. Here’s what one site has to say: > > Of course, they do have some to sell you, so consider the source. \*\* A useful caution [Forget it! Ginkgo supplements don’t help memory](http://www.msnbc.com/news/796753.asp) ---
**Author:** ![Mandarax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@Mandarax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mandarax)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2002, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-chinese-people-eat-ginko-fruit/125493/5 "2002-08-25T18:30:36Z")
I looked through Cecil’s article on [Sperm trees of Los Angeles](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_363.html) to see if it could shed further light on this question, but I couldn’t find anything relevant. Interestingly enough, I searched the [Straight Dope Archive](http://www.straightdope.com/script/search)for “sperm trees” and got _four_ hits! ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2002, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-chinese-people-eat-ginko-fruit/125493/6 "2002-08-25T21:48:26Z")
In a book called _Ghosts of Evolution_ the writer talks about eating all sorts of odd things, including ginko nuts. Also says something about large quantities of them not being real healthy. Asians utilize some food resources we don’t (know a guy who used to push the merits of chicken foot soup, which consists pretty much of what it sounds like). This may have been from necessity, or from a certain openmindedness about food sources.