Autumn and winter are the peak seasons for all kinds of potato foods. In the market, we can often see a variety of taro, yams, sweet potatoes, purple potatoes, etcThey are both starch-rich foods that can be eaten as a staple or snack.
But, you know what?Among these potato foods, there is an ingredient that has been overlooked, but its nutritional value and efficacy are no less than taro and yam, and even some surpass them. It's just that sweet potato.
Sweet potato, also known as potato, sweet potato, sweet potato, sweet potato, etcIt is a common rhizome plant, native to South America, and later introduced to China, becoming one of the main food crops in China.
The shape of sweet potatoes is oblong, oval, round, etc., the color of the skin is red, purple, yellow, white, etc., the color of the flesh is white, yellow, orange, purple, etc., and the taste is sweet, sour, light, etc., and there are many varieties, each with its own characteristics.
Sweet potatoes are not only delicious but also nutritious and have a variety of benefits, making them a great food to eat in autumn and winter. So, what exactly are the benefits of sweet potatoes?Why is it more worth choosing than taro and yam?
In modern life, we are inevitably exposed to various harmful substances, such as environmental pollution, food additives, alcohol, drugs, etc., which will cause certain burdens and damage to our liver. Sweet potatoes can help us protect the liver, reduce the burden on the liver, and prevent and improve liver diseases.
Liver-protective effect of sweet potatoesIt is mainly due to the two components it is rich in, which are vitamin C and dietary fiber. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, which can remove free radicals in the body, prevent oxidative damage to liver cells, enhance the disease resistance of liver cells, and promote the regeneration and repair of liver cells.
Dietary fiber is a substance that is not digested and absorbed by the human bodyIt can help the peristalsis of the intestines and promote bowel movements, thereby removing toxins and waste products from the body and reducing the burden on the liverAt the same time, dietary fiber can also reduce blood lipids and cholesterol and prevent the occurrence of fatty liver.
Consuming 200 grams of sweet potatoes per day can effectively reduce serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levelsThese two enzymes are markers of liver damage, and lowering their levels indicates improved liver function.
Sweet potatoes are an excellent liver foodFor people with a bad liver, or people who often drink alcohol, take medicine, or smoke, you can eat more sweet potatoes to protect your liver.
Modern people use electronic products for a long time, and their eyes are prone to fatigue and dryness, and even eye diseases such as myopia, presbyopia, and cataracts. Sweet potatoes can help us protect our eyes, prevent and improve eye diseases, and improve our eyesight. The eye-protecting effect of sweet potatoes is mainly due to the two components it is rich in, namely vitamin A and -carotene.
Vitamin A is a very important nutrient for eye healthIt can maintain the normal structure and function of the eye and prevent the occurrence of eye diseases such as corneal dryness, corneal malacia, and night blindnessVitamin A also promotes the formation of the retina, improving visual acuity and adaptability.
Carotene is a natural pigmentIt can be converted into vitamin A in the human body, and it can also be used directly as an antioxidant to remove free radicals in the eyes and prevent the aging and degeneration of the eyesPrevent the occurrence of eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
Consume 150 grams of sweet potatoes per dayIt can effectively increase the level of serum vitamin A, thereby improving vision and preventing eye diseases. Sweet potatoes also have a bright-eyeing effect, for people with bad eyes, or people who often overuse their eyes, you can eat more sweet potatoes to protect your eyes.
Sweet potatoes are rich in B vitamins and vitamin E, which help to promote blood circulation and hemoglobin synthesis, thereby improving the symptoms of anemia, increasing the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood, and making the body more energetic.
Sweet potatoes are also rich in minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and ironThese minerals can regulate the acid-base balance in the body and prevent the occurrence of diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
Sweet potatoes are also a good food for strengthening the spleen and stomach, it can increase the secretion of gastric juice, promote digestion, prevent excessive stomach acid, and relieve symptoms such as stomach pain and stomach ulcers.
Sweet potatoes can also increase intestinal peristalsis, promote bowel movements, and prevent the occurrence of constipation, hemorrhoids and other diseases. Sweet potatoes can also inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in the intestines, increase the number of beneficial bacteria, and improve the balance of intestinal floraBoosts immunity.
According to one study, 100 grams of sweet potatoes were consumed dailyIt can effectively increase the serum levels of iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12, thereby improving the condition of anemia and increasing the quality of blood.
Sweet potatoes also have the effect of nourishing blood and strengthening the spleen and stomach, for people with bad blood, or people with bad stomach and intestines, you can eat more sweet potatoes to protect your blood and stomach.
Sweet potato is a very good food, it is not only the most affordable, but also delicious, more importantly, it has a variety of effects, can protect the liver, brighten the eyes, nourish the blood, strengthen the spleen and stomach, is a very suitable food for autumn and winter.
Sweet potatoes can also be eaten in a variety of ways, both as a staple food or as a snack, boiled or roasted, sweet or salty, eaten on their own or paired with other foods, and can make a variety of delicious dishes as long as you have an idea. I hope you can eat more sweet potatoes to take care of your body and enjoy life.