Sweet potatoes are not only delicious, but also rich in nutrients. They have many benefits such as weight loss, heart protection, cancer prevention, and blood sugar control. However, it's important to eat them correctly to get the most nutritional value and avoid any negative effects on health.
Nutritional Value of Sweet Potatoes
1. Weight Loss
Sweet potatoes are an excellent food for weight loss because they are low in fat and calories. The components in sweet potatoes can also help convert carbohydrates into fat, which can control fat accumulation.
2. Heart Protection
Sweet potatoes are rich in potassium, as well as various vitamins and carotenoids. These components can effectively help prevent cardiovascular diseases. Studies have also found that sweet potatoes contain collagen and polysaccharides, which can help reduce cholesterol levels in the blood and have a significant impact on preventing arteriosclerosis and coronary heart disease.
3. Cancer Prevention
Sweet potatoes are highly nutritious and contain abundant vitamins, fiber, and various minerals. However, many people are not aware of the specific nutritional value of sweet potatoes. Additionally, there are some dietary restrictions for sweet potatoes that need to be avoided in order to maximize their nutritional value.
4. Blood Sugar Control
Research has found that after consuming sweet potatoes, patients with type 2 diabetes showed significant improvement in insulin sensitivity, making it effective for blood sugar control.
Restrictions for Sweet Potatoes
1. Avoid Eating Sweet Potatoes on an Empty Stomach
Sweet potatoes contain high sugar content, so it is best not to eat them on an empty stomach as it may cause gastric acid production and heartburn. Additionally, sweet potatoes also contain oxidases, which can cause bloating and belching.
2. Do Not Eat Sweet Potatoes with Persimmons
If you eat persimmons after eating sweet potatoes, the persimmons will ferment in the stomach and produce excessive gastric acid. Furthermore, the tannic acid in persimmons can condense with substances in sweet potatoes, making digestion difficult and potentially leading to gastric bleeding and ulcers.
3. Do Not Eat Sweet Potatoes with Crabs
It is not recommended to eat sweet potatoes with crabs, as it can easily cause diarrhea or the formation of stones.
The Most Nutritious Way to Eat Sweet Potatoes: Steamed Sweet Potatoes
Prepare fresh sweet potatoes with a taste of soil. Choose spindle-shaped sweet potatoes with smooth skin, firm texture, and a shiny appearance. Soak the sweet potatoes in water for 5 minutes to soften the mud on the surface. Then, brush the sweet potato skin with a brush and rinse thoroughly with water. Fresh sweet potatoes can be eaten with the skin. Steam the cleaned sweet potatoes over high heat for 15 minutes. To check if they are cooked, poke them with a chopstick. If it goes through easily, it means they are done.
