Introduction: As the ancient saying goes: "In spring, eat flowers; in summer, eat leaves; in autumn, eat fruits; in winter, eat roots." At the turn of autumn and winter, seasonal root vegetables are abundant. At this time, they are not only fresh and inexpensive but also durable for storage, making them especially suitable for frequent consumption. Common root vegetables like radishes and Chinese yams, though ordinary, are incredibly nutritious and can be considered "nourishing treasures."
Since ancient times, the Chinese philosophy of "harmony between humanity and nature" has been reflected in every aspect of life. The changes in the 24 solar terms also influence the people's clothing, food, shelter, and transportation. As the ancient saying goes: "In spring, eat flowers; in summer, eat leaves; in autumn, eat fruits; in winter, eat roots." During the autumn and winter seasons, a large variety of seasonal root vegetables become available. These root vegetables are fresh, affordable, and store well, making this the ideal time to consume them. Let's now learn about the nutritional value of common root vegetables.
Radish
As the saying goes: "Eat radish in winter and ginger in summer, and you won't need a doctor's prescription all year round." The radish, known in Chinese folklore as "little ginseng," is considered one of the finest foods for the autumn and winter season. Eaten raw, it can aid digestion, increase appetite, relieve greasiness, and promote smooth qi flow. When paired with other ingredients in dishes, it offers different benefits. The radish has a unique spicy flavor. When eaten raw, it helps with digestion, invigorates the stomach, and increases appetite. After eating greasy foods like meat, eating a raw radish can cut through the grease, refresh the palate, and soothe the stomach. When overeating sweet potatoes causes indigestion, acid reflux, bloating, or heartburn, eating a raw radish or salted radish can aid digestion and promote smooth qi. Additionally, raw radish can promote bile secretion, helping to digest fat.
Chinese Yam
For more Chinese yam recipes, click on the special feature: Healthy Autumn Vegetables - Creative Ways with Chinese Yam
The Chinese yam is both a traditional Chinese medicine and a delicacy, a well-known nourishing treasure. Research shows that the B vitamin content in Chinese yam is several times that of rice, and it is exceptionally rich in potassium. More importantly, Chinese yam is rich in various bioactive components, including Chinese yam polysaccharide, mucin protein, saponin, allantoin, and dehydroepiandrosterone. Studies have found that the oligosaccharides in Chinese yam have excellent immune-enhancing effects. The bioactive substances in Chinese yam have significant anti-aging properties, can enhance the proliferation of immune cells in animals, and delay the aging of the thymus.
Furthermore, Chinese yam has a supplementary therapeutic effect on diabetes. Besides inducing a feeling of fullness, which helps control food intake, its mannan can also improve glucose metabolism and increase insulin sensitivity. Because Chinese yam has a high starch content, it is best to substitute it for part of the staple food when consuming it, meaning appropriately reducing the amount of staple food, especially for diabetic patients, to avoid excessive energy intake.
Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi, also known as king turnip, straight lotus root, or broccoli head, is a type of cabbage. Its scientific name is *Brassica oleracea* var. *gongylodes*. Kohlrabi is a vegetable that falls between the turnip and cabbage. Its leaves are smooth and tender, and its stem is swollen into a sphere with distinct leaf scars. The outer skin is green, white, or purple, and it is cultivated in spring and autumn. It is rich in vitamin C, with up to 41 milligrams per 100 grams—far more than in apples, pears, grapes, and other fruits. Kohlrabi also contains a large amount of potassium, which is very beneficial to the human body.
In traditional Chinese medicine, it is considered to have a cool nature and a sweet and pungent flavor. It is believed to be effective for relieving chest tightness, stopping phlegm, alleviating coughs, sobering up, reducing internal heat, and refreshing the mind and eyes. Drinking its fresh juice is therapeutic for stomach ailments, and long-term consumption of kohlrabi can also promote the healing of stomach and duodenal ulcers.