In recent years, sweet potatoes have become popular as a nutritious food. However, with the deepening of scientific research, people have gradually discovered that sweet potatoes also have some taboos and cannot be eaten casually. To protect our health, we should keep in mind the following four taboos.
First of all, sweet potatoes should not be eaten raw. Although sweet potatoes taste delicious when eaten raw, they have a high starch content and are difficult for the human body to digest and absorb. Moreover, sweet potatoes contain a substance called "oxalic acid", which combines with calcium in the human body to form calcium oxalate, which in turn affects calcium absorption. Therefore, eating raw sweet potatoes can easily cause gastrointestinal discomfort and even lead to symptoms such as stomach pain and diarrhea. To avoid this from happening, we should cook or steam sweet potatoes before consuming them.
Secondly, sweet potatoes should not be eaten with certain foods. Sweet potatoes contain a substance called glialase, which destroys vitamin B1 in the body, thus affecting the normal function of the nervous system. Whereas, vitamin B1 is found in many foods, such as lean meats, fish, legumes, etc. Therefore, if we consume sweet potatoes and these foods at the same time in the same meal, it will lead to the loss of vitamin B1, which can affect health. To avoid this from happening, we should eat sweet potatoes separately from these foods or in different time periods.
Third, sweet potatoes should not be consumed in excess. Sweet potatoes are rich in starch and sugar, and if you consume too much, it can cause blood sugar to rise and increase the risk of diabetes. In addition, sweet potatoes also contain a substance called "trypsin inhibitor", which inhibits the function of the pancreas to secrete trypsin, thereby affecting the digestion and absorption of protein. As a result, excessive consumption of sweet potatoes can lead to malnutrition and even digestive disorders. In order to protect our health, we should consume sweet potatoes in moderation and not be greedy.
Finally, sweet potatoes should not be taken with certain medications. Sweet potatoes contain a substance called "sweet potato saponin", which has certain pharmacological effects. And some drugs, such as antihypertensive drugs, hypoglycemic drugs, etc., also have a similar effect. If we consume sweet potatoes while taking these medications, it will increase the effect of the drugs, leading to the occurrence of adverse reactions. Therefore, we should avoid consuming sweet potatoes while taking the drug so as not to affect the efficacy of the drug.
In conclusion, sweet potatoes, as a nutritious food, have many benefits for our health. However, we should also be aware of the contraindications of sweet potatoes and cannot be eaten casually. We should cook or steam sweet potatoes before eating, avoid eating them with certain foods, eat them in moderation, and avoid taking them with certain medicines. Only in this way can we better enjoy the nutrition and deliciousness brought by sweet potatoes and protect our health. Let's keep these four taboos in mind together, stay away from the risks of sweet potatoes, and embrace a healthy life.