Although sweet potatoes are a nutritious food, we should still be cautious when consuming them and their related parts.
1 What is Sweet Potato and its Benefits
Sweet potato, also known as sắn nước, is a vine vegetable native to Central America. It is mainly cultivated in the Americas, China, and Southeast Asia.
Sweet potatoes are formed due to swollen roots. They have a thin, yellow skin and a creamy white interior. Sweet potatoes have a sweet taste and are usually consumed raw or used for soup broth.
Sweet potatoes are popular due to their numerous health benefits:
Immune Booster
Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamins B and C, which strengthen the immune system and ensure overall health.
Powerful Antibacterial
Sweet potatoes contain vitamin B6, which supports brain health and helps break down proteins into usable energy. They also fight against viruses and bacteria, both internally and externally.
Weight Loss Aid
Sweet potatoes are known for their high water and low-calorie content. Including them in your meals can help you achieve your desired body shape.
Digestive Health
Sweet potatoes are rich in fiber, which is beneficial for digestion and promotes healthy stomach contractions. According to Le Huu Tuan, former deputy director of the Traditional Medicine Hospital, people with hemorrhoids can also benefit from its cooling and fiber-rich properties.
2 Precautions when Consuming Sweet Potatoes
While sweet potatoes offer numerous health benefits, it is important to consume them in the right way and in the right amounts to maximize their advantages and minimize potential risks.
According to Dr. Hoang Kim Thanh, some people, in their quest for weight loss, have resorted to unscientific methods, using sweet potatoes as their main meal, believing that they are mostly water and fiber, which keeps them feeling full for longer.
However, consuming excessive amounts of sweet potatoes can lead to stomach expansion due to the large volume of water intake. This, in turn, stimulates the production of stomach fluids, resulting in increased appetite.
Eating too many sweet potatoes can also cause stomach pain due to nutrient deficiencies, and the digestion of sweet potato fiber can lead to increased stomach contractions. Additionally, a diet solely reliant on sweet potatoes can result in fatigue due to a lack of essential nutrients.
Dr. Le Huu Tuan also warns that sweet potato seeds are highly toxic. They contain Rotenon, a substance used in pesticide production and topical treatments. Consuming these seeds can be fatal, with symptoms of poisoning appearing as quickly as 5-40 minutes after ingestion.
Symptoms of sweet potato seed poisoning include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, increased saliva production, rapid heartbeat, and abnormal blood pressure fluctuations. In severe cases, circulatory arrest and pupil dilation can occur rapidly.
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Sweet potatoes offer numerous health benefits, but it’s important to be mindful of their usage and dosage to avoid any potential harm. This article has outlined the advantages and precautions of consuming sweet potatoes. Take note of this valuable information.