Sweet potatoes, potatoes, water chestnuts, and persimmons are in season. Should you eat the peels? To answer this question, let's discuss the reasons why they should not be eaten.
Sweet Potato Peel
First, let's talk about sweet potato peels. Because they contain a high amount of alkaloids, eating too many can cause gastrointestinal discomfort. Especially for sweet potatoes infected with black spot rot, the peels with brown or black spots are absolutely inedible, as consumption can lead to poisoning.
Potato Peel
The skin of potatoes contains glycoalkaloids that are harmful to human health. Once inside the body, they can cause cumulative poisoning. As this is a chronic poisoning, it may be asymptomatic or have unnoticeable symptoms at first, often failing to draw attention. As for potatoes that have sprouted or have a green tinge to their skin, they should be strictly avoided due to their high solanine content. When a potato is intact, its solanine content is minimal. However, once it sprouts or turns green, the content can increase by 5 to 6 times, concentrating especially in the sprouts, eyes, peel, and any rotten areas. When consumed, it is a strong irritant to the gastrointestinal mucosa, has a paralyzing effect on the respiratory and motor centers, and can cause symptoms such as cerebral edema and congestion.
Water Chestnut Peel
Because water chestnuts grow in fertile waters, their peels accumulate various harmful biological waste products and chemical substances. Therefore, they should be peeled whether eaten raw or cooked, otherwise, it can lead to unpredictable diseases.
Persimmon Peel
Because the skin of a ripe persimmon has a good texture, most people eat them without peeling. When persimmons are unripe, the tannic acid that can harm the stomach and intestines is mainly found in the flesh. However, after the persimmon ripens, the tannic acid becomes concentrated in the peel.