Health & Life

Delicious and Nutritious: Four Things to Avoid When Indulging in Rau Ngót to Stay Healthy

"Gotu Kola, a revered vegetable in many cultures, boasts a myriad of benefits, but it's not without its precautions. Often regarded as a mild-mannered green, this vegetable warrants a closer look to uncover its unique properties and potential pitfalls."

Administrator

16 August, 2024

Pennywort is a common and accessible vegetable that can be easily purchased at local markets and supermarkets. According to Colonel and herbalist Bui Hong Minh (former Chairman of Ba Dinh District’s Oriental Medicine Association in Hanoi), pennywort has a sweet taste and a cold nature in Oriental medicine. Cooking it reduces its cooling properties.

This vegetable is known for its blood-activating, detoxifying, and diuretic properties. Modern medical research has also revealed that pennywort is rich in plant-based protein, vitamin C, and dietary fiber, offering numerous health benefits.

Some of the health benefits of pennywort include:

– Cooling and Detoxifying: Pennywort’s sweet taste and cold nature help cool the body, detoxify, reduce fever, increase saliva production, and promote diuresis.

– Lowering Blood Pressure: The presence of papaverine in pennywort helps dilate blood vessels and relax smooth muscles, thereby reducing blood pressure. This vegetable is beneficial for individuals with high cholesterol and atherosclerosis.

Pennywort containing essential nutrients beneficial to health — Pennywort contains a wealth of essential nutrients that are beneficial to health.

– Increasing Breast Milk Production in Lactating Women: Pennywort contains estrogen, which helps boost hormone levels in women. This, in turn, stimulates the production of breast milk, benefiting new mothers who are breastfeeding.

– Reducing Blood Sugar Levels: Studies indicate that pennywort contains substances that help lower blood glucose levels, thereby reducing the risk of diabetes.

– Providing Vitamin C and Antioxidants: Rich in vitamin C, pennywort boosts the immune system and enhances resistance. Vitamin C is also essential for collagen regeneration, promoting supple and elastic skin while accelerating wound healing. Additionally, certain antioxidants in pennywort protect the body’s cells from free radical damage, combating aging and preventing diseases.

Some precautions when consuming pennywort:

Considerations when consuming pennywort to avoid negative impacts on health — When using pennywort, pay attention to certain factors to avoid adverse effects on your health.

– Pregnant Women Should Avoid Pennywort: While pennywort is beneficial for postpartum women, it is not suitable for pregnant women. The papaverine in pennywort aids in pain relief, lowers blood pressure, and relaxes smooth muscles in blood vessels. Excessive consumption by pregnant women can lead to uterine contractions and an increased risk of miscarriage. Moreover, raw pennywort has stronger toxic effects.

– Individuals with Poor Appetite, Insomnia, and the Elderly: Research suggests that pennywort may cause side effects such as shortness of breath, loss of appetite, and insomnia in certain individuals, especially those with weak constitutions and the elderly.

These side effects may be mitigated by cooking the pennywort.

People with a history of anorexia, insomnia, or the elderly should avoid consuming raw pennywort. If consuming cooked pennywort, it should be done in moderate quantities.

– Individuals with Rickets, Osteoporosis, or Calcium Deficiency: Although pennywort contains calcium, it also contains glucocorticoid, a substance that hinders the absorption of phosphorus and calcium in the body. Therefore, individuals with calcium deficiency, rickets, or osteoporosis should refrain from consuming excessive amounts of pennywort.

– Avoid Overconsumption: Pennywort has various benefits, including promoting digestion, hydrating the body, diuresis, increasing saliva production, nourishing the blood, and reducing fever. However, excessive consumption can have negative effects on health. It is recommended to consume a moderate amount of pennywort, not exceeding 50 grams per day.

Frequently asked questions

Boiling leafy greens can cause a significant loss of nutrients, especially water-soluble vitamins and minerals. To retain the maximum nutritional value, it is recommended to opt for quicker cooking methods such as steaming, stir-frying, or blanching.

While leafy greens are incredibly nutritious, it’s important to practice moderation. Overconsumption of leafy greens, especially raw ones, can lead to digestive issues for some individuals due to their high fiber content. Additionally, certain greens contain oxalates, which can interfere with mineral absorption when consumed in excessive amounts. Aim for a balanced diet that includes a variety of vegetables and foods to ensure you’re getting a range of nutrients.

There are numerous ways to incorporate leafy greens into your meals. You can add them to smoothies, blend them into pesto or dips, use them as a base for salads, or lightly wilt them as a side dish. They can also be incorporated into soups, curries, and stir-fries. Experiment with different types of greens and cooking methods to find what you enjoy most.

Proper storage is key to maintaining the freshness and prolonging the shelf life of leafy greens. After purchasing, gently rinse the leaves and pat them dry. Store them in an airtight container lined with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture. Alternatively, wrap the leaves in a slightly damp paper towel and place them in a reusable bag. Store them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator, where they will stay fresh for about a week.