October 8th marks the Cold Dew (Hanlu) solar term in the Chinese lunar calendar. Doctors recommend that the general public should eat more "root" vegetables such as Chinese yam and lotus root during this period for health preservation and wellness.
Chinese yam is both a traditional Chinese medicine and a delicacy, a well-known nourishing treasure. Research has shown that the content of B vitamins in Chinese yam is several times that of rice, and it is extremely rich in potassium among minerals. Furthermore, Chinese yam can be a supplementary treatment for diabetes. Besides promoting satiety and helping to control food intake, its mannan can also improve glucose metabolism and enhance insulin sensitivity.
Because Chinese yam has a high starch content, it is best to use it as a substitute for part of the staple food when consuming it, which means appropriately reducing the amount of staple food, especially for diabetic patients, to avoid the problem of excess energy. Lotus root contains mucoprotein and dietary fiber, which can bind with bile salts, cholesterol, and triglycerides in the body, causing them to be excreted in the feces and thereby reducing the absorption of lipids.
Lotus root emits a unique fragrance and also contains tannic acid, which has a certain effect on strengthening the spleen and stopping diarrhea. It can stimulate the appetite, promote digestion, whet the appetite, and benefit those with poor appetite and loss of appetite in their recovery.