As the saying goes: "The lotus plant is a treasure in its entirety, but the autumn lotus root is the most nourishing for people." After the start of autumn, fresh lotus root becomes a common dish on the dining table. Here are the 7 major health benefits of eating lotus root in autumn, summarized by nutrition experts.
Spicy and Sweet and Sour Lotus Root Slices
1. Lowers blood sugar and fat, benefits the intestines. Lotus root is rich in dietary fiber but low in calories, thus helping to control weight, lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, promote intestinal peristalsis, and prevent constipation and hemorrhoids. Fresh lotus root and ginger juice can also treat intestinal inflammation.
2. Anti-aging, anti-cancer, and a source of Vitamin C. The sugar content of lotus root is not very high, but it contains a high amount of Vitamin C, which is very beneficial for patients with liver disease, constipation, and diabetes. Lotus root is also rich in polyphenols, which can improve immunity, slow down the aging process, and prevent cancer.
3. Relieves pain, reduces stress, and protects the heart. Lotus root is rich in B vitamins (especially Vitamin B6). Supplementing with B vitamins helps reduce irritability, relieve headaches, and alleviate stress, thereby improving mood and lowering the risk of heart disease.
4. Nourishes blood, benefits the mind, and aids digestion. Fresh lotus root is rich in trace elements such as copper, iron, potassium, zinc, magnesium, and manganese. Among tuberous vegetables, lotus root has a relatively high iron content, making it most suitable for people with iron-deficiency anemia. The various trace elements in lotus root are beneficial for the production of red blood cells and for keeping muscles and nerves functioning normally. In addition, these nutrients also help secrete digestive enzymes, improving digestion.
5. Stabilizes heart rate and lowers blood pressure. The sodium-to-potassium ratio in lotus root is 1:5. The low sodium and high potassium content helps regulate blood pressure and heart rate, benefiting the heart and overall health.
6. Supplies Vitamin K to prevent bleeding. Lotus root is rich in Vitamin K, which has a hemostatic effect. Drinking fresh lotus root juice can help prevent bleeding.
7. Expels phlegm, relieves coughs, and prevents asthma. Fresh lotus root juice can also be used to treat respiratory diseases such as coughs, asthma, and pneumonia. Hot lotus root tea has the effect of relieving coughs and reducing phlegm.
There is a folk saying, "A woman should not go three days without lotus root, and a man should not go three days without ginger," which suggests that eating lotus root is beneficial for women's health, while eating ginger is beneficial for men's health. Is there any truth to this saying? This folk saying has some truth to it. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that eating lotus root regularly is greatly beneficial for improving a woman's complexion. According to TCM theory, ginger is a yang-tonifying food, especially suitable for men.
However, the meaning of this folk saying is not comprehensive. Because whether you are a man or a woman, eating ginger and lotus root regularly is beneficial for health. Lotus root is neutral in nature and sweet in taste. It can clear heat, benefit the lungs, stimulate the appetite, and whet the appetite and strengthen the middle energizer. Lotus root also contains a large amount of tannic acid, which has a vasoconstrictive effect and can be used to cool the blood and stop bleeding. Raw lotus root can clear heat and relieve vexation, suitable for patients with "pimples" caused by blood heat. Cooked lotus root can nourish the stomach, nourish yin, strengthen the spleen, and replenish qi and blood, suitable for people with weak spleen and stomach, and insufficient qi and blood, who experience dry skin and a sallow complexion. Ginger has the effects of warming yang, dispelling cold, relieving heat, and providing antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, making it an excellent seasoning for meals. At the same time, the volatile oil in ginger can speed up blood circulation, excite the nerves, and warm the whole body. If you catch a cold due to wind-cold, drinking ginger soup can also alleviate cold symptoms.
Finally, whether it's lotus root or ginger, it should be consumed according to your specific condition. Lotus root clears heat and cools the blood, nourishes the blood, and stimulates the appetite, making it especially suitable for patients with high fever, poor appetite, and iron-deficiency anemia. However, fresh raw lotus root is relatively difficult to digest, so people with a weak spleen and stomach, or who are prone to diarrhea, should eat it less or opt for cooked lotus root. As for ginger, people with symptoms such as fever, dizziness, tinnitus, ringing in the ears, dry mouth, and sore throat should consume it less to avoid worsening their condition. In addition, people with constipation should eat less ginger, because constipation is mostly due to intestinal heat, and eating ginger will also aggravate the symptoms.
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