Nutritional value and edible effects of sweet potatoes

The nutritional value of potatoes is very good. Let’s learn about it together. It may be good for you.

Sweet potato introduction

Sweet potato is a cultivated species of the genus Ipomoea batatas in the family Convolvulaceae that can form tuberous roots. It is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine that is cultivated as an annual.

Sweet potatoes originated in South America and were introduced to my country from the Philippines and Vietnam in the 16th century. They are currently cultivated in various parts of my country, especially in the Huaihai Plain, the Yangtze River Basin and the southeastern coastal provinces and regions.

The official botanical name of sweet potato is Ipomoea batatas. Sweet potato tastes sweet, is nutritious, easy to digest, and can provide a lot of heat energy, so some countries in Africa and Asia use sweet potato as their staple food.

Sweet potatoes are rich in sugar, protein, cellulose and multiple vitamins, especially carotene, vitamin E and vitamin C. In particular, sweet potatoes are rich in lysine, while rice and flour lack lysine. Eating sweet potatoes with rice and flour can provide a more comprehensive protein supplement. In terms of overall nutrition, sweet potatoes are the best among grains and vegetables. Europeans and Americans praise it as the "second bread", former Soviet scientists say it is the future "space food", and the French call it a well-deserved "high-end health food".

After three years of research and selection, the World Health Organization (WHO) has selected the six healthiest foods and the top ten junk foods. The healthiest foods selected include the best vegetables, the best fruits, the best meats, the best cooking oils, the best soups, and the best brain-protecting foods. The familiar sweet potato was listed as the champion of the 13 best vegetables.

Nutritional value of sweet potatoes

1. Regulate blood and replenish the middle:

Sweet potatoes are very nutritious, containing a large amount of sugar, protein, fat, various vitamins and minerals, which can be absorbed by the human body effectively, prevent and treat malnutrition, and can replenish qi, which is beneficial for diseases such as deficiency of the spleen and stomach in the middle jiao and malnutrition in children.

2. Relax the intestines and promote bowel movements:

Sweet potatoes can effectively stimulate intestinal peristalsis and promote defecation. When people cut sweet potatoes, they see a white liquid oozing out from under the skin. This liquid contains mirabilis glycoside, which can be used to treat habitual constipation.

3. Enhance immune function:

Sweet potatoes contain a lot of mucin, which can prevent the atrophy of liver and kidney connective tissue, improve the body's immunity, and prevent collagen diseases. The minerals contained in sweet potatoes play a very important role in maintaining and regulating human functions. The calcium and magnesium contained in sweet potatoes can prevent osteoporosis;

4. Anti-cancer:

Sweet potatoes contain an anti-cancer substance that can prevent and treat colon cancer and breast cancer. In addition, sweet potatoes can eliminate active oxygen, which is one of the causes of cancer. Therefore, the effect of sweet potatoes in inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells is very obvious.

5. Anti-aging and prevent arteriosclerosis:

The anti-aging and arteriosclerosis prevention effects of sweet potatoes are mainly due to their ability to remove active oxygen. The mucus protein contained in sweet potatoes can maintain the elasticity of blood vessel walls and prevent the occurrence of atherosclerosis. The chlorogenic acid in sweet potatoes can inhibit the production of melanin and prevent the appearance of freckles and age spots. Sweet potatoes can also inhibit skin aging, maintain skin elasticity, and slow down the aging process of the body.

Sweet potato edible effects

Sweet potato root tubers are sweet, neutral, slightly cool, and enter the spleen, stomach, and large intestine meridians;

It can nourish the spleen and stomach, produce body fluids and quench thirst, facilitate bowel movements, invigorate qi and produce body fluids, moisten the lungs and lubricate the intestines.

The stems and leaves are sweet, light, and slightly cool in nature, and enter the lung, large intestine, and bladder meridians;

It has the effects of moistening the lungs, harmonizing the stomach, promoting urination, and removing intestinal pus and rot.

Used for dry intestines and constipation: Boil a few sweet potatoes, peel them, and eat them with honey.

Sweet potatoes are suitable for people

It is edible for general population.

1. Do not eat too much at one time to avoid heartburn, acid vomiting, bloating and other discomforts; it is also not suitable for people with gastric ulcers, excessive stomach acid and diabetes.

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