Winter is once again the time for dietary supplements, and many people have added Chinese yam to their tables. Chinese yam has a delicate texture and white flesh, and it is a vegetable recognized by the Ministry of Health of the country as both food and medicine.
Winter is once again the time for dietary supplements, and many people have added Chinese yam to their tables. Chinese yam has a delicate texture and white flesh, and it is a vegetable recognized by the Ministry of Health of the country as both food and medicine. Chinese medicine has used Chinese yam as medicine to treat diseases since ancient times, and it has the reputation of being a "top-grade medicinal herb".
Modern medical research shows that Chinese yam is rich in nutrition and contains a variety of nutrients, such as protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and chlorine. It is known as a nutritious and tonic food. Chinese yam is rich in resistant starch, which has the effect of lowering blood sugar and blood lipids. It can also enhance the body's immunity, resist tumors, enhance the body's digestive and absorption functions, delay aging, strengthen the spleen to stop diarrhea, moisten the lungs and relieve dryness, and nourish and strengthen the body. The nutritional and health functions of Chinese yam are widely recognized, combining delicious food, health care, beauty, and fitness. It is known as "natural ginseng" and is called "Chinese little ginseng" by foreigners.
How to choose a good Chinese yam? First, weigh it. Among yams of the same size, the heavier one is better. Second, look at the whiskers. For yams of the same variety, the more whiskers, the better. The more whiskers, the more mealy the texture, the more yam polysaccharides it contains, and the better the nutrition. Finally, look at the cross-section. The flesh of the yam's cross-section should be snowy white, which indicates it is fresh. Do not buy it if it is yellowish like rust.
In addition, yams with abnormal spots on the surface should never be bought, as this may mean they have been infected with diseases. Also, pay attention to the fact that the cut surface of the yam should have mucus, and the skin should be undamaged. Chinese yam is afraid of freezing and heat. When buying yams in winter, you can hold it in your hand for about 10 minutes. If the yam sweats, it has been frozen. Break it open to see, the cross-section of a frozen yam's mucus will turn into water, it will have a hard core and the flesh will be red, indicating poor quality.