Nutritional components and edible benefits of water spinach

【Alias】

Water spinach, bamboo leaf vegetable, spinach, and water spinach.

【annotation】

Water spinach is an annual or perennial herb of the genus Ipomoea in the family Convolvulaceae. It has white trumpet-shaped flowers and is named "water spinach" because its stem is hollow. It is native to East Asia and is mainly distributed in the warm and tropical regions of Asia. It is not demanding on soil and has a wide adaptability. It can be planted in dry land, paddy fields, ditches and corners. It can still grow in hot summers, but it is not cold-resistant. Its stems and leaves will die in frost. It can be cultivated all year round in high-temperature and frost-free areas. Water spinach is divided into two categories according to its propagation method: spinach and vine. There are three cultivation methods depending on the terrain: dry land cultivation, aquatic cultivation and floating cultivation (or deep water cultivation).

【Nutritional ingredients】

Water spinach is rich in provitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin C, niacin, protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus, iron, etc. Its vitamin B1 content is 8 times that of tomatoes, and its calcium content is 12 times that of tomatoes.

【Medicinal properties and effects】

Water spinach has the effects of promoting intestinal peristalsis, laxative and detoxification; after eating, it can reduce the acidity of the intestines, prevent the imbalance of intestinal bacteria, and is beneficial to cancer prevention; it can also clean teeth, prevent caries, remove bad breath, and beautify the skin, making it a good beauty product. In addition, it can prevent infection, prevent heatstroke and relieve fever, cool blood and detoxify, and prevent and treat dysentery.

【Eatable】

It is suitable for patients with hypertension, headache, diabetes, nosebleed, constipation, stranguria, hemorrhoids, and carbuncle; it should be stir-fried quickly over high heat to avoid nutrient loss.

【Avoid eating】

Water spinach is cold and slippery in nature, so people with weak constitution, weak spleen and stomach, and loose stools should not eat too much.

【Dietary remedies】

Garlic Water Spinach

Ingredients: water spinach, soaked vermicelli, salt, minced garlic, light soy sauce, fermented bean curd juice, chicken essence, chili oil, sesame oil, sugar, ground sesame seeds, and cooking oil.

Preparation method: Wash the water spinach and soak the vermicelli in warm water. Then blanch the water spinach and vermicelli in boiling water, remove them and cool them, drain the water, cut them into inch-long pieces and put them in a container. Peel the garlic, wash it, cut it into minced pieces and put it in a bowl. Add salt, light soy sauce, sugar, chicken essence, chili oil and sesame oil to mix well and set aside. Add the prepared minced garlic to the fermented bean curd juice and pour it into the container with water spinach and vermicelli, stir well and serve.

Efficacy: Clears away heat, detoxifies, and reduces weight. Suitable for people with fever and obesity.

<<: The nutritional content and effects of beans

>>: The efficacy and function of Amaranth