Purple sweet potato is a highly nutritious food that contains many beneficial nutrients for the human body. In addition to proteins, starch, pectin, dietary fiber, amino acids, vitamins, and various minerals, it is also rich in selenium and anthocyanins. It has a very high nutritional value and can prevent various diseases. Autumn and winter are the seasons when purple sweet potatoes are abundant in the market, and many people start to try eating purple sweet potatoes for weight loss. However, some people are concerned that purple sweet potatoes contain starch and may cause weight gain if eaten at night. So, will eating purple sweet potatoes at night make you fat?
Will Eating Purple Sweet Potatoes at Night Make You Fat?
The proteins, selenium, iron, and other substances in purple sweet potatoes are essential nutrients for the human body, but they have low calorie content, only one-third of that of rice, and no fat elements. The substances in purple sweet potatoes can also prevent sugar from converting into fat. Therefore, eating purple sweet potatoes in moderation at night will not make you fat. As long as you eat them correctly, such as steaming or baking them directly without deep-frying or adding artificial butter, you will not destroy their nutrients and they can still have a beneficial effect on the body.
The Nutritional Value of Purple Sweet Potatoes
Selenium in purple sweet potatoes is known as a "natural detoxifier" that can help improve the body's resistance and immunity, and also help eliminate free radicals produced in the body. Vitamin A can help improve vision and the epithelial cells of the skin and mucous membranes. Vitamin C can promote normal collagen synthesis. Anthocyanins are powerful antioxidants that can protect the body from damage caused by free radicals and other harmful substances, enhance blood vessel elasticity, effectively improve the body's circulatory system, and make the skin smoother.
The Weight Loss Effect of Purple Sweet Potatoes
The weight loss effect of purple sweet potatoes is mainly attributed to the selenium they contain. Selenium can control the body's absorption of sugar, prevent sugar from turning into fat, and effectively prevent fat accumulation. Moreover, the abundant dietary fiber in purple sweet potatoes can help promote gastrointestinal motility and remove excessive oil and fat ingested in the gastrointestinal tract, thus improving digestion and alleviating gastrointestinal discomfort.
The Benefits of Eating Purple Sweet Potatoes
Enhancing Physical Fitness
Due to the rich vitamins and other nutrients in purple sweet potatoes, they can help enhance the body's resistance and improve blood circulation, maintaining blood vessel flexibility, which is beneficial for overall health.
Preventing Cardiovascular Diseases
The anthocyanins in purple sweet potatoes have been shown to significantly inhibit the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein and platelet aggregation. They also have strong antioxidant effects, which can effectively prevent and reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases.
Preventing Constipation
Purple sweet potatoes have a high content of dietary fiber, which can promote gastrointestinal motility, soften stools, and remove mucous, waste, and excess fluid in the intestines, thereby eliminating toxic substances and carcinogens in feces. They help maintain smooth bowel movements, improve the gastrointestinal environment, and prevent constipation and gastrointestinal diseases.
Precautions for Eating Purple Sweet Potatoes
Although eating purple sweet potatoes will not make you gain weight, it still depends on the total calorie intake throughout the day. If your three meals already meet the standard calorie intake for the body, it is best not to eat too many purple sweet potatoes at night. After all, purple sweet potatoes still contain a certain amount of sugar, and eating too much may stimulate excessive gastric acid secretion and potentially lead to obesity.
Contraindications for Eating Purple Sweet Potatoes
1. Purple sweet potatoes contain oxidases, which can easily produce gas. Eating too many at once can cause bloating and burping.
2. Purple sweet potatoes have a relatively high sugar content. Eating too many can stimulate the excessive secretion of gastric acid, causing heartburn.
3. It is best not to eat purple sweet potatoes raw because the starch in them is difficult to digest by the human body without high-temperature destruction.
