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The Efficacy and Functions of Sweet Potatoes

Dec 18, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, sweet potatoes, also known as红薯 (hongshu), 甘薯 (ganshu), or 地瓜 (digua), have various functions and benefits including beautifying the skin, aiding in weight loss, protecting blood vessels, promoting intestinal motility, relieving constipation, and helping control blood sugar levels. The vitamin C and beta-carotene in sweet potatoes, among other antioxidant substances, can inhibit melanin production and prevent the appearance of freckles and age spots, thereby contributing to skin beautification.

Generally speaking, sweet potatoes, also known as红薯 (hongshu), 甘薯 (ganshu), or 地瓜 (digua), offer various benefits and functions including beautifying the skin, assisting in weight loss, protecting blood vessels, promoting bowel movements, and helping control blood sugar levels. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Skin beautification

The vitamin C and beta-carotene in sweet potatoes possess antioxidant properties that can inhibit melanin production, prevent the appearance of freckles and age spots, and slow skin aging, thus helping maintain skin elasticity and beauty.

2. Weight management assistance

Sweet potatoes are low in calories and fat, and provide a feeling of fullness. Consuming sweet potatoes in moderation can reduce intake of high-calorie foods, aiding in weight control and weight loss.

3. Vascular protection

The special mucoprotein in sweet potatoes helps maintain elasticity of the cardiovascular system. Additionally, flavonoids present in sweet potatoes can reduce the production of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), thereby decreasing the risk of blood clot formation.

4. Promoting bowel regularity

Sweet potatoes contain abundant dietary fiber, which absorbs water in the intestines, softens stools, stimulates the intestinal walls, and enhances peristalsis, effectively relieving constipation and facilitating bowel movements.

5. Blood sugar control

Although sweet potatoes contain some natural sugars, they have a low glycemic index, allowing for a slow release of glucose into the bloodstream. This characteristic helps maintain stable blood sugar levels, making sweet potatoes suitable for moderate consumption by individuals with diabetes.

However, excessive consumption should be avoided to prevent discomfort such as bloating and acid reflux. Moreover, spoiled or sprouted sweet potatoes should not be consumed to avoid the risk of poisoning.

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Under normal circumstances, it is not recommended to consume crabs, milk, sweet potatoes, spinach, alcohol, or similar foods right after eating persimmons, to avoid potential discomfort. It should be noted that these risks are mostly associated with excessive consumption, eating on an empty stomach, or having a weak gastrointestinal system. Healthy individuals generally need not worry excessively if they consume small amounts of these foods together and are not eating on an empty stomach. It is also recommended to choose fully ripe persimmons when consuming them.
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Does eating sweet potatoes help with weight loss or cause weight gain?
Under normal circumstances, eating sweet potatoes can either aid in weight loss or lead to weight gain, depending on the amount consumed and the method of preparation. Consuming sweet potatoes in a reasonable manner can provide their nutritional benefits, while excessive or improper consumption may easily result in weight gain. In daily life, it is recommended to include sweet potatoes as part of a balanced diet, substituting them for staple foods, with a suggested serving size of 100-200 grams per meal.
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What foods should not be consumed with persimmons?
Under normal circumstances, there are no absolute food restrictions for consuming persimmons; however, it is not recommended to consume large quantities of persimmons together with crabs, lamb, sweet potatoes, spinach, hawthorns, or similar foods. Additionally, it is best to avoid drinking strong tea simultaneously with persimmons, as strong tea contains high levels of tannic acid, which may cause adverse reactions when consumed with persimmons. It is also recommended to choose fully ripe persimmons when consuming them.
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Can you still eat sweet potatoes after they have sprouted?
Whether sprouted sweet potatoes are edible depends on the specific situation. Sweet potatoes that have only slightly sprouted and show no signs of rotting or mold can be consumed after thoroughly removing the sprouts and the surrounding areas. However, if sprouting is accompanied by rotting or mold growth, it is not recommended for consumption. In daily life, sweet potatoes should be stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated environment, away from direct sunlight and moisture, to prevent premature sprouting or spoilage.
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Can sprouted sweet potatoes still be eaten?
Under normal circumstances, whether sprouted sweet potatoes are edible depends on the condition of the sweet potato. To avoid unnecessary harm to the body, it is recommended to carefully inspect the condition of the sweet potato before consumption, or handle it under the guidance of a professional nutritionist. Pay attention to food hygiene and avoid consuming spoiled food in order to maintain digestive health.
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Can sweet potatoes still be eaten after sprouting?
Whether sprouted sweet potatoes can be eaten depends on the specific situation. Sweet potatoes that have only slightly sprouted and show no signs of rotting or mold can be consumed after completely removing the sprouts and the surrounding area. However, if sprouting is accompanied by rotting or mold, it is not recommended to eat them. In daily life, sweet potatoes should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated environment, away from direct sunlight and moisture, to prevent premature sprouting or spoilage.
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What Foods Should Not Be Eaten with Persimmons?
Under normal circumstances, when eating persimmons, one should avoid consuming high-protein foods, high-calcium foods, highly acidic foods, gas-producing foods such as sweet potatoes, alcoholic beverages, and others. Combining these foods with persimmons may cause gastrointestinal discomfort or affect nutrient absorption. In daily life, in addition to paying attention to food pairing with persimmons, one should also control the quantity of persimmons consumed and avoid eating them on an empty stomach. Choose ripe persimmons with low tannin content.
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Is it safe to eat sweet potatoes that have sprouted purple shoots?
Whether sweet potatoes with purple sprouts can be eaten depends on the condition of the sweet potato itself. If the sweet potato has only developed purple sprouts and the skin is not rotten or spoiled, it can be consumed in small amounts after thoroughly removing the sprouts and the surrounding area. However, if the sweet potato has purple sprouts along with signs such as soft and decayed skin, unpleasant odor, or internal mold, it is not recommended for consumption. To prevent sweet potatoes from sprouting purple sprouts too early, they should be stored in a cool place during daily storage.
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