Eating lotus root in autumn nourishes the stomach and prevents diseases

　　Lotus root is slightly sweet and crisp, and can be eaten raw or cooked. It is one of people's daily dishes. Lotus root is also a plant with high medicinal value. Its roots, leaves and flowers can be used as nourishing medicine. The history of Chinese people eating lotus roots can be traced back to thousands of years, from cold salad to soup, from frying to stuffing, etc. Today, Teacher Xiao is here to talk to you about the topic of eating lotus roots.

　　In terms of nutrition, we generally classify lotus root as a vegetable, and its nutritional value is very high. But compared with ordinary vegetables, it not only has nutrients such as trace elements and dietary fiber that are common in vegetables, but also has starch that can provide us with energy, and the city content is higher, about 16.4%. This makes lotus root have a crispy, waxy and sweet taste that other vegetables do not have, which greatly enriches the cooking methods of lotus root. Among the various nutrients contained in lotus root, the vitamin C content can be as high as 44mg/100g, which is higher than lemons or oranges. Its vitamin C content can be retained to the maximum extent when served cold.

　　“"The lotus root is broken and the silk is connected" is the most commonly used idiom about lotus root, but what exactly is this "silk"? I believe not many people can explain it clearly. The silk of lotus root is the conduit in the lotus root, which is used to transport water and nutrients to the lotus root. Its main components are polysaccharides and mucus proteins. Most of the mucus proteins are mucopolysaccharides, also known as glycoproteins. These mucus proteins have certain health effects on the human body. After we chew them thoroughly, they can adhere to the gastric mucosa and protect our digestive tract. When dining out, when the dishes are spicy, high in oil and salt, fried and hard, you can drink some lotus root soup or eat some cold lotus root slices before the meal. Eating other foods will make your gastrointestinal tract much more comfortable.

　　Lotus root is an ingredient suitable for eating all year round, but it is best eaten in autumn and winter. During this season, people will eat more meat and food with strong flavors, and these foods are relatively difficult to digest. If accumulated in the body for too long, it will naturally damage the gastrointestinal function. At the same time, a high-oil and high-fat diet combined with cold and constricted blood vessels will also cause chronic diseases such as high blood pressure. disease High incidence, and the fiber, polysaccharides and other nutrients in lotus root can improve human immunity, promote the excretion of fat and cholesterol accumulated in the body, and protect the body. healthy。

　　Autumn is the season when lotus roots mature. Of course, there are differences in different regions. Teacher Xiao has also seen people digging lotus roots in winter. Lotus root is rich in nutrients and has a unique taste. As autumn comes, you may wish to keep it at home every day.

　　How to choose lotus root

　　1. Choose one that is slightly yellow in color and has no peculiar smell. The skin of the lotus root should be slightly yellow in color. If it turns black or has a peculiar smell, don't buy it. The lotus root itself only has an earthy smell. If it smells sour, it means it has been treated with industrial chemicals and is harmful to the human body.

　　2. Choose one with larger ventilation holes. You can cut the lotus root into a small section and look at the size of the vent hole in the middle of the lotus root. Lotus roots with larger vent holes are juicier. Try to buy lotus roots like this, they are more delicious. Especially the ginger lotus root slices taste great.

　　3. Choose one with no damage inside or outside. When buying lotus roots, pay attention to whether there are any obvious injuries. If there is mud wrapping the lotus root, you should wipe the mud to see if there are any scars on the surface of the lotus root. If the scars are obvious, don't buy it.

　　4. Choose ones with thick and short joints. The number of lotus root nodes will not affect the quality. When purchasing, try to choose thicker and shorter lotus root nodes. Such lotus roots will be more mature and taste better.

　　5. Choose one with a long distance between joints. The longer the distance between lotus root nodes, the higher the maturity of the lotus root and the softer and more delicious the taste.

　　6. Choose lotus roots that are plump in appearance. Lotus roots should have plump appearance and smooth skin. Do not choose lotus roots with uneven appearance. Such lotus roots will not taste crispy.

　　7. Try to choose ones with wet soil. Lotus roots without wet mud have usually been soaked and have a short preservation time and cannot be stored for a long time. However, lotus roots with wet mud can be stored for a long time and look relatively fresh at first glance, so you can buy them with confidence.

　　8. The color of lotus root should not be very white. The lotus roots that have been washed and look very white on the market have probably been soaked in the chemical citric acid. Do not buy such lotus roots lightly. You can smell them again to see if there is any peculiar smell. If the peculiar smell is obvious, do not buy it.