Sweet potatoes can help you lose weight and prevent cancer, but could eating them after noon be harmful to your health? Nutritionist Hong Ruopu: Don’t throw away sweet potato peels. The reason is…

Sweet potatoes are very nutritious. In addition to eating sweet potatoes for health, they are also favored by many people who are losing weight because they are rich in dietary fiber. However, there is a popular saying that "sweet potatoes should not be eaten after noon", and that sweet potatoes can only be eaten in the morning, and eating them in the afternoon or evening will increase the burden on gastrointestinal metabolism. Nutritionist Hong Ruopu said that sweet potatoes are rich in nutritional value and are known as the "lactic acid bacteria of the East". They have the functions of laxative, weight loss, and even cancer prevention. As long as they are consumed in a balanced manner and not in excess, there is no problem with the time of consumption.

Not eating sweet potatoes after noon may harm your health? Nutritionist's answer

The saying "don't eat sweet potatoes after noon" is based on traditional meridian circulation. It is believed that the large intestine meridian is in charge from 5 to 7 a.m., which is the best time for defecation and metabolism. If you want to maintain intestinal health and promote detoxification, you should eat sweet potatoes at this time, and no later than 12 noon at the latest, because the human gastrointestinal metabolism function will gradually weaken after noon, and eating sweet potatoes may harm the body.

In response to this, Hong Ruopu, a senior nutritionist in the Department of General Internal Medicine at the Zhongxiao branch of Taipei Municipal United Hospital, said that from a nutritional standpoint, sweet potatoes, like rice, are good food that can be eaten in all seasons. As long as they are consumed in a balanced manner, they can help the body activate health. Therefore, there is no saying that "do not eat sweet potatoes after noon." However, if the public has any concerns, they can refer to it and follow it.

Sweet potatoes contain protein, starch, cellulose, potassium, vitamins A, C, B, B2, and minerals such as iron and calcium, as well as nutrients and phytochemicals, which can not only enhance immunity and fight inflammation, but also improve dry skin, prevent brittle hair, protect eyesight, and prevent colon cancer and arteriosclerosis.

Sweet potatoes are a super healthy food

Sweet potato is a rhizome plant. It looks inconspicuous, but it is sweet and delicious when properly cooked. Whether it is sweet potato porridge, sweet potato soup, sweet potato balls, fried sweet potato strips, steamed and baked sweet potatoes, or sweet potato eggs, the flavors are ever-changing. In recent years, the main reason why sweet potatoes have suddenly become a super health food is their rich nutritional value.

How much nutrition do you know about sweet potatoes?

Nutritionist Hong Ruopu said that sweet potatoes contain nutrients and phytochemicals such as protein, starch, cellulose, potassium, vitamins A, C, B, B2, and minerals such as iron and calcium, which can not only enhance immunity and fight inflammation, but also improve dry skin, prevent brittle hair, protect eyesight, and prevent colorectal cancer and arteriosclerosis.

In addition, when sweet potatoes are steamed or cooked, part of the starch will change. Cooked sweet potatoes contain about 40% more dietary fiber than raw sweet potatoes. Eating them not only increases the sense of fullness, but also stimulates intestinal peristalsis and promotes defecation. Clinically, it has been found that sweet potato fiber does help improve obesity and constipation. The polysaccharide collagen and mucin substances in its ingredients can prevent gastric ulcers and protect the mucosa.

Don’t throw away sweet potato peels! Higher nutritional CP value

Compared with the sweet potato flesh itself, the skin has a higher nutritional value. Nutritionist Hong Ruopu pointed out that whether it is root vegetables or melons and fruits, the nutrients and phytochemicals in the skin are much higher than those in the flesh. For example, the vitamin C and bioflavonoid content of sweet potato peel is several times higher than that in the flesh, so it is best to eat sweet potatoes with the skin.

It should be noted that a balanced diet is the fundamental way to maintain health. Eating too much good food can also harm the body. Therefore, it is recommended that people consume sweet potatoes with a properly balanced diet. In particular, diabetic patients should pay attention to the amount of intake and should not eat too much.

Some people occasionally experience abdominal bloating and flatulence after eating sweet potatoes. This is mainly caused by the gasification enzyme and fiber in the ingredients. It is recommended to steam the sweet potatoes completely to destroy the gasification enzyme structure, which helps reduce the production of carbon dioxide and prevent bloating.