Potato: The Perfect Vegetable
The potato is originally from south America, but now everywhere in the world people plant potatoes. However, different countries give them different names, depending on their shape and colour of the potatoes. In the world now, potato is one of the most popular vegetables in the world.Potatoes contain high amounts of nutrients and vitamins which are needed in the human body. This is why nutritionists call the potato the ‘perfect’ vegetable. From ancient to modern, from eastern to western, potatoes are highly recommended for this reason.
1) So what does Chinese medicine think about potatoes?
Chinese medicine consideres potato as tasting sweet, and having moderate characteristics, not very cold nor hot. Potatoes help to improve stomach spleen and digestion, especially to tonify spleen Qi and energy and also balance the stomach. As the spleen and stomach are both organs which assist in digestion and transport of food and absorption of nutrients, so potatoes are beneficial for those who suffer from weak digestion. For example: chronic stomach pain, stomach and intestine ulcers, heart burn and acid, constipation, and sluggish bowl movement as well as bloating after eating. Many Chinese medicine books suggest if you are to eat two teaspoons potato juice in the morning with a little bit of honey- it can help heal the ulcer in the stomach and large intestine. This will also help to improve sluggish bowl movement.
If you have stomach ulcers, it is best to avoid eating chilli, garlic, onion as well as other hot food.
2)What does modern nutrition think about potatoes?
Potatoes are a very good and healthy food as they contains less proteins and potassium, thus it is suitable for those who suffer from kidney problems. Also potatoes can help to pass excessive acid through urination. Potatoes can help diabetes to help control their blood glucose levels, and can be substituted instead of bread and rice.
For people who are trying to loose weight, potatoes are a good substitute for bread and rice also.
3) Important notice
Potatoes which are left for some time, and allowed to sprout are not recommended to be consumed as it will contain some toxins which are not good for the body. Also avoid eating potato skin.
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