For those with constipation, water spinach is a great vegetable for promoting bowel movements and detoxification. Regular consumption can effectively relieve constipation.
Hua Xin from the Nutrition Department of Beijing Friendship Hospital introduced that water spinach contains a large amount of dietary fiber such as cellulose, hemicellulose, mucilage, and pectin, which can promote gastrointestinal motility, facilitate food digestion, and effectively relieve constipation.
In addition to relieving constipation, water spinach also has a detoxifying effect. According to a review of relevant papers on the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) by reporters, the lignin in water spinach can enhance the activity of macrophages in engulfing bacteria, thus having bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effects; pectin can accelerate the excretion of toxic substances from the body.
Chopped Chili Stir-fried Water Spinach
From a nutritional perspective, water spinach generally contains 4% sugar, 2.8% protein, and 0.3% fat. This is twice the sugar content of tomatoes, 4.7 times the protein, and 12.5 times the calcium content. It has twice the protein of Chinese cabbage, three times the fat, and 1.5 times the sugar. Water spinach is rich in various vitamins; for example, its carotene content is 19.5 times that of Chinese cabbage. Water spinach is not only found in cookbooks but is also included in pharmacopoeias. The "Great Dictionary of Chinese Medicine" records that water spinach contains insulin-like components, which are also beneficial for patients with diabetes.
Hua Xin reminds everyone that although water spinach is a good vegetable for preventing and treating diseases, it has a cold and slippery nature. Therefore, individuals with a weak constitution, a cold spleen and stomach, or who are suffering from diarrhea should use it with caution.
Pepper cutter, cabbage