Eating sweet potatoes in this season can not only keep you warm but also provide super valuable nutrition. If you encounter a vendor selling sweet potatoes on the street, you might as well buy one and eat all the benefits!
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
The benefits of eating sweet potatoes
Prevention and Treatment
Sweet potatoes contain dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a hormone that peaks in secretion at age 30 and then gradually declines. Low levels of DHEA can lead to insufficient immunity and an increased risk of cancer. Studies also show that almost all patients with diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease have very low levels of DHEA. Therefore, people around the age of 30 might consider eating more sweet potatoes to supplement DHEA.
Helps with Weight Loss
Sweet potatoes are a dietary fiber food, characterized by low fat and low calories. Only 0.2 grams of fat are found in 100 grams of sweet potatoes. Moreover, its dietary fiber can accelerate the excretion of cholesterol and increase satiety, which can, to some extent, replace white rice and flour, aiding in weight loss. However, it should be noted that you cannot abandon meat, eggs, dairy, beans, and vegetables and fruits, otherwise, a comprehensive nutritional balance cannot be maintained.
Disease Prevention
Dietary fiber can lower blood cholesterol and increase the synthesis of bile acids, which can prevent diseases.
Protects the Cardiovascular System
Sweet potatoes are also rich in mucoprotein, a substance that maintains the elasticity of the cardiovascular wall, prevents atherosclerosis, and improves immunity. For better results, you can eat purple potatoes, as the anthocyanin in them is more effective.
Lowers Blood Pressure
Sweet potatoes are rich in potassium, which helps maintain normal intracellular osmotic pressure and lower blood pressure. Additionally, dietary fiber can also reduce insulin secretion, preventing blood sugar from rising suddenly.
Prevents Constipation
For friends with constipation problems, sweet potatoes can be one of your saviors. Because sweet potatoes contain a large amount of dietary fiber, they can stimulate the intestines, thereby promoting intestinal peristalsis and preventing constipation.
Protects Vision
The beta-carotene in sweet potatoes can be converted into vitamin A in the body, which can improve eye dryness and the eyes' adaptability. If you feel your eyes need moisture, you can also eat more sweet potatoes.
Maintains Acid-Base Balance in the Body
Most of the meat, eggs, beans, and grains we usually eat are basically acidic foods, while sweet potatoes are alkaline foods. Eating sweet potatoes can balance the acid and alkali in the body, which is beneficial for physical health.
Protects Skin and Delays Aging
The vitamin C in sweet potatoes and the anthocyanin in purple potatoes have antioxidant effects, which can improve the skin and delay aging.
How to Eat Sweet Potatoes for the Best Results?
Eat with Refined White Rice and Flour
White rice and flour contain relatively high levels of essential amino acids, while sweet potatoes have lysine, which is relatively scarce in them. Therefore, eating sweet potatoes together with rice and flour is more nutritious!
Cook congee with pumpkin and red dates to make "蜜三样" (蜜三样)
In terms of nutrition, each of these three ingredients is a hundred times better. When paired together, they are not only a great nourishment for autumn and winter, but also more flavorful and upscale compared to plain rice and sweet potato congee.
Candied Sweet Potatoes
Candied sweet potatoes not only do not lose the nutritional value of sweet potatoes, but they are even more delicious. Those who love sweets are in for a treat!
Taboos
Sweet potatoes should not be eaten with persimmons, tomatoes, white liquor, crabs, or bananas, as this may cause bloating, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Be sure to remember this!
Roast potatoes