Substances in sweet potatoes are effective in preventing cancer
It is well-known that sweet potatoes are very nutritious. However, what is more valuable is that in the recent ranking of the top 20 anti-cancer vegetables released by the Japanese National Cancer Research Center, sweet potatoes took the top spot.
Cancer cells originate from human epithelial cells. Sweet potatoes are rich in starch, carotene, and more than 10 trace elements such as potassium and iron. These can protect the structural integrity of human epithelial cells, inhibit viral activity, block the production of nitrosamines in the gastrointestinal tract, eliminate toxic effects caused by mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and other substances in food or the environment, and interrupt the carcinogenic process of toxic metals. Sweet potatoes are called by experts the most balanced health food.
Moreover, sweet potatoes contain a unique substance called dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)――a steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal gland and similar to androgen, which can both prevent cancer and promote longevity.
Do not eat roasted sweet potatoes with their skin in winter
Currently, hot roasted sweet potatoes are fragrant, sweet, and delicious, and some are roasted until a "sugar oil" leaks out. The charred skin of the sweet potato is especially popular, and many people eat it along with the skin.
Experts say that it is best not to eat roasted sweet potatoes with their skin, because the skin contains more alkaloids, and excessive consumption can cause gastrointestinal discomfort. In particular, the skin of sweet potatoes with black spots should not be eaten, as it can cause poisoning.
When eating sweet potatoes, you must pay attention to the time and method
1. Sweet potatoes should not be eaten raw
Because the cell membranes of the starch in raw sweet potatoes are not broken down by high temperature, they are difficult to digest in the human body. At the same time, when cooking sweet potatoes, the steaming or boiling time should be appropriately extended to destroy the "gas-producing enzyme" contained in them. This way, discomfort such as bloating, heartburn, belching, nausea, and flatulence after eating can be avoided.
2. It is good to eat sweet potatoes with other foods
If sweet potatoes are eaten with rice or flour, they can have a complementary effect on protein. If you also eat them with some pickles or fresh radishes, you can reduce the production of stomach acid.
3. It is best to eat sweet potatoes at noon
This is because the calcium contained in sweet potatoes needs 4 to 5 hours to be absorbed by the body after eating, and the sunlight in the afternoon can promote the absorption of calcium. In this case, eating sweet potatoes at lunch allows the calcium to be fully absorbed before dinner, without affecting the absorption of calcium from other foods at dinner.