Winter is the best season to eat Chinese yam, and I believe many people know this. Winter diet should focus on nourishing and replenishing Qi, and Chinese yam happens to have the effect of replenishing Qi and strengthening the kidneys, so eating Chinese yam in winter is the right time. Let's take a look at the nutritional benefits of eating Chinese yam in winter together!
The benefits of Chinese yam:
1. Prevent prostate hyperplasia
The sticky component in Chinese yam is composed of mucin, a complex of sugar and protein. Mucin has the effect of activating male hormones, and this special sticky component can prevent and treat prostate hyperplasia, which is common in middle-aged and elderly men.
2. Helps with digestion
Chinese yam contains substances such as amylase and polyphenol oxidase, which are beneficial to the digestive and absorption functions of the spleen and stomach. It is a medicinal and edible product that gently tonifies the spleen and stomach. It can be eaten by those with deficient spleen Yang or deficient stomach Yin. Clinically, it is often used with gastrointestinal decoctions to treat weak spleen and stomach, reduced appetite, fatigue, diarrhea, and other conditions. Therefore, you might as well add Chinese yam when making soups or eating hot pot in winter.
3. Can delay aging
The winter weather is cold and dry, and eating Chinese yam can also have the effect of beautifying and nourishing the skin, and delaying aging. It not only has the effect of hydrating the body but also helps to expel toxins from the body. Scientific research has proven that Chinese yam can reduce the activity of enzymes that accelerate the aging of the organism. The Eight-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill, which contains Chinese yam, is mainly used to treat excessive sweating after childbirth. The Bao Yuan Qing Jiang Tang and Bao Yuan Han Jiang Tang can treat hematemesis and epistaxis; the Han Lin Tang and Gao Lin Tang can treat淋虫. Chinese yam can also treat tuberculosis, typhoid fever, and women's diseases, all of which are beneficial for prolonging life.
4. Can treat skin diseases
Winter is a high-incidence period for skin diseases. At this time, choosing to eat Chinese yam has a good therapeutic effect. Friends with skin diseases can eat more Chinese yam in winter for a certain therapeutic effect! Chinese yam contains allantoin, which has an anesthetic and analgesic effect, can accelerate epithelial growth, and has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It is often used to treat chapped hands and feet, ichthyosis, and various keratinizing skin diseases.
5. Can prevent cardiovascular diseases
In winter, the temperature difference indoors is relatively large, and the temperature is generally low, making it one of the peak seasons for the onset of cardiovascular diseases. Chinese yam contains a large amount of mucoprotein, vitamins, and trace elements, which can effectively prevent lipids from depositing on the blood vessel walls, prevent cardiovascular diseases, and has the effect of lowering blood pressure and calming the mind. It is very suitable to eat in winter.
How to choose Chinese yam?
1. The more "beard" hairs, the better. The more beard hairs on a Chinese yam, the more "mealy" the texture, the more Chinese yam polysaccharides it contains, and the better the nutrition.
2. Among Chinese yams of the same size, the heavier one is better.
3. The cross-section of Chinese yam is snow-white. If it turns yellow, it means the yam is not very fresh.
In fact, Chinese yam is also afraid of heat. When buying Chinese yam in winter, hold it in your hand for about 10 minutes first. If the yam sweats, it means it has been frozen. The mucilage in its cross-section will turn into water, and it will have a hard core with reddish flesh.
In addition, never buy Chinese yam with abnormal spots on the surface, as it may have been infected with a disease.