Introduction: Yam is also known as "potato flower", and some places also call it "mountain encounter", the origin of its name, there is a mysterious legend.
It is said that in ancient times, there was a medicine farmer who was collecting medicine in the mountains, accidentally got lost, and when he was hungry and cold, he met an old man with gray hair. The old man gave him a few rhizomes shaped like sticks, and after the medicine farmer tasted these stems, he suddenly felt full of strength and did not feel hungry for several days.
After the medicine farmer returned to the village, he spread his miraculous encounter in the mountains, and since then, the miraculous rhizome has been called "yam", and there is a saying: "white yam is better than ginseng", which shows that the yam has a high value for both medicine and food, and is known as "the first tonic in autumn".
Yam can be used as a staple food, and can regulate the innate foundation of the human body - kidney, and the acquired foundation - spleen and stomach, it can also produce jin and benefit the lungs, is the best food for both medicine and food in autumn and winter.
For ordinary people, eating yam in moderation can provide nourishment to the body, however, some people should not consume yam. So, how exactly should yams be matched?Let's dive in.
Yam is a kind of ingredient with rich nutritional value and medicinal effects, it has a sweet taste, peaceful nature, can return to the spleen, lungs, kidney meridians, play a role in nourishing qi and nourishing yin, tonifying the spleen, lungs and kidneys.
Yam is the representative of medicine and food, not only nutritious, but also has a smooth and juicy taste, known as the medicine to nourish the true yin, since ancient times, yam has the reputation of "jade in the mountain", "food of the gods", and is loved by the majority of people.
This sutra mentions yams: "In the main injury, replenish the deficiency, remove the cold and heat and evil qi, replenish the middle, invigorate the qi, grow muscles, and strengthen the yin." ”
Beilu" mentions yams: "Cure deficiency and thinness, fill the five internal organs, remove heat, and strengthen yin." ”
In addition, yam is also rich in B vitamins, vitamin C, microbial A and vitamin E and other nutrients, which can provide a comprehensive nutritional supply for the body.
In addition to its medicinal and nutritional value, yam is also a low-calorie, low-fat staple food option, with only 56 calories per 100 grams of yam and a slightly richer carbohydrate content of 11 per 100 grams6 grams of carbohydrates.
This low-calorie, high-nutrient ingredient is very suitable for ** people and patients with three highs, in daily life, we can eat yam as a staple food, which can not only meet the taste needs, but also maintain health.
Yam contains more starch and protein, and these substances will produce more hydroxide ions after being metabolized in the body, so they can be considered alkaline. In addition, yam also contains some alkaline substances, such as saponins, mucilage, etc., which can also make it appear alkaline.
However, there are also people who believe that yam is acidic, and this is because some organic acids contained in yam, such as citric acid, malic acid, etc., can be considered acidic because they produce more hydrogen ions after being metabolized in the body.
Taken together, we can conclude that yam is alkaline, and although it contains some acidic substances, the amount of these substances is less than enough to change its overall acid-base properties.
Strengthen the spleen and stomach
Yam is rich in amylase, polyphenol oxidase and other substances, which can promote the digestion and absorption function of the spleen and stomach, and have a good conditioning effect on spleen and stomach weakness, lack of food, fatigue, diarrhea and other diseases.
Nourish the kidneys and essence
Yam contains a variety of nutrients, such as saponins, mucus, choline, yammine, etc., which have a good effect on tonifying the kidneys and strengthening the body.
Lowers blood sugar
Yam contains mucus protein, a substance that can lower blood sugar and has a certain auxiliary effect on diabetes.
Antioxidant
Yam is rich in antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, which can help remove free radicals in the body and slow down the aging process.
Boosts immunity
Yam contains a variety of nutrients, such as mucus, polysaccharides, proteins, etc., which can improve the body's immunity and enhance the body's resistance.
Cancer patients
Cancer is a serious disease, patients need to pay special attention to their diet during ** and **, although yam is a nutritious ingredient, it is not suitable for all cancer patients.
One of the main reasons is that yam contains diosgenin, a substance that can synthesize hormones such as ** hormones and estrogen, for male prostate cancer patients and female breast cancer patients, eating yam may aggravate the condition, so it needs to be avoided.
Therefore, cancer patients need to pay special attention to their diet, choose suitable ingredients, and avoid eating foods that are not conducive to their disease.
People who are prone to allergies
People who are prone to allergies should try to avoid eating yam as much as possible, because yam is rich in saponin and plant alkaloids, which can easily cause allergic reactions. For people with saponin allergies, the ingestion of yam can cause symptoms such as redness, swelling, itching, and even difficulty breathing in severe cases.
For people who are allergic to plant alkaloids, contact with the mucus of yam is also easy to cause ** allergies, redness, swelling, itching and other symptoms, in order to protect their health, people who are prone to allergies should avoid eating or touching yams.
If you already have allergy symptoms, you should stop eating or touching yam immediately and seek medical attention as soon as possible, in addition, if there are members in the family who are prone to allergies, you should also take care to avoid growing yam in the home environment to avoid causing unnecessary health problems.
Patients with gastrointestinal disorders
Yam is a nutritious ingredient that is rich in vitamins and minerals and is very beneficial for the average person, however, for people with gastrointestinal disorders, the situation is different.
Yam contains a lot of starch, and for patients with stomach diseases, excess starch may increase the burden on the stomach and is not conducive to the recovery of the disease. Secondly, yam also contains some plant acids and cellulose, which can have a certain irritating effect on the gastric mucosa and aggravate stomach discomfort.
Patients with gastrointestinal diseases have already damaged their stomachs and their digestive ability is reduced, and if they eat more indigestible foods such as yams, it will increase the burden on the stomach and may even cause stomach pain, excessive stomach acid and other problems.
People who are prone to getting angry
People who are prone to irritation need to pay special attention to their diet, because once they accidentally eat food that is not suitable for them, it may lead to aggravation of irritation symptoms and even other health problems.
Generally speaking, this kind of people have high body calories, often have dry mouth, mouth and tongue sores, constipation and other symptoms, such people should eat light, cool food, such as mung beans, lotus seeds, chrysanthemums, etc., to help clear heat and reduce fire.
As a nutritious ingredient, yam has a tonic nature, sweet and hot, for people who are prone to fire, if they eat too much or eat it for a long time, it may lead to an increase in calories in the body, thereby aggravating the symptoms of fire, and even causing other health problems.
Yam's nutritional partner one: red dates
In the cold autumn and winter, a bowl of hot yam and jujube porridge can not only drive away the cold and warm the body, but also provide sufficient energy and nutrition for the body.
Yam's nutritional partner two: wolfberry
Goji berries are rich in carotene, vitamins and trace elements, which have the effects of nourishing yin and kidney, brightening the eyes and nourishing the liver, etc., stewing yam and wolfberry together in soup can not only enhance the nourishing effect of yam, but also improve the nutritional value of the soup.
Yam's nutritional partner three: lotus seeds
Lotus seeds are rich in protein, fat, carbohydrates and a variety of vitamins, with the effect of nourishing the heart and soothing the nerves, strengthening the spleen and stopping diarrhea, etc., yam and lotus seeds are eaten together, which can regulate the body's endocrine and have a good effect on improving menopausal symptoms.
Yam's nutritional partner four: black sesame seeds
Black sesame seeds are rich in calcium, iron, phosphorus and other minerals and trace elements, with the effect of tonifying the kidney, benefiting essence, black hair and beauty, etc., yam and black sesame seeds can enhance bone health and delay aging.
Shrimp
Because the vitamin C rich in yam will react with the protein in shrimp, producing a precipitate that is not conducive to human absorption, affecting nutrient absorption.
Bananas
Although bananas and yams have a certain tonic effect, eating both at the same time will cause symptoms such as abdominal pain and nausea, which is not good for health.
Gansui
Gansui is a kind of Chinese herbal medicine, with strong medicinal properties, if eaten at the same time with yam, it will produce a chemical reaction, affect the efficacy, and even produce ***
Appearance
A good yam should have a smooth epidermis, no obvious damage or dark spots, and observe the overall color, preferably milky white or light yellow, with no signs of blackening or redness.
Haptics
Gently touch the yam with your hands, a good yam should be firm and elastic, if it feels soft or indented, it may be a yam that has been ripe or stored for a long time.
Dryness
The skin of the yam should be slightly moist, but it should not be too moist or moist, as the yam that is too wet may have quality problems or improper storage and is prone to spoilage.
Uniformity
Choose yams that are evenly shaped, and don't choose ones that are too curved or irregularly shaped, as they may not be easy to handle or are unevenly cooked when cooked.
Use the steaming method
After cleaning the yam, put it in a steamer and steam it until it is cooked through, and then scrape off the skin of the yam with the back of a knife or other hard object, this method is not only simple and easy, but also preserves the nutrients of the yam.
Use the plastic wrap method
After the yam is cleaned, wrap it with plastic wrap one by one, then gently turn the plastic wrap with your hands to make the yam gradually exposed, and finally gently scrape the skin with a knife, this method can not only avoid itchy hands, but also maintain the freshness of the yam.