Is purple sweet potato a genetically modified food? How long does it need to be steamed to be cooked? Can it still be eaten after it sprouts?

Purple sweet potato, also called black potato, because its flesh is purple to deep purple. It ranked first among the anti-cancer vegetables announced by the National Institute of Vegetable and Tea Science in Japan. So is purple sweet potato a genetically modified food? How long does purple sweet potato need to be steamed to be cooked? Can purple sweet potato still be eaten after it sprouts? What are the benefits, effects and dietary taboos of purple sweet potato?

1. Is purple sweet potato a genetically modified food?

Purple sweet potato is not a genetically modified food; it existed long ago. Because sweet potato is planted on a large scale, what the public sees more often is sweet potato, but our purple sweet potato not only has the nutritional components of ordinary sweet potato, but is also rich in selenium and anthocyanins. Purple sweet potato is one of the main raw materials for anthocyanins.

2. How long does purple sweet potato need to be steamed to be cooked?

1. Steaming purple sweet potato at home uses a household steamer. Small purple sweet potatoes can be steamed with steam in a steamer for about 10 minutes, and when a chopstick can pierce through them, they can be taken out.

2. If they are large purple sweet potatoes, steaming them with steam for about 15 minutes is enough! If you want to steam them faster, you can cut the purple sweet potatoes into several pieces. The specific time still depends on the heat, so at around 10 minutes, insert a chopstick and use complete penetration as the standard.

3. Can purple sweet potato still be eaten after it sprouts?

1. Purple sweet potato cannot be eaten after it sprouts; like potato, it cannot be eaten after sprouting. The starch content in purple sweet potato is relatively high, and during the sprouting process it produces enzymes that degrade starch, and toxins are produced during the degradation process.

2. After purple sweet potato sprouts, nutrients are also transferred in large amounts to the area around the young sprouts to supply their growth. At this time, the tuber becomes soft, loses its sweetness, and also carries a slight odor of raw sweet potato leaves, making it unsuitable for eating.

Like potato, purple sweet potato produces toxins during the sprouting process, and after sprouting the tuber is very prone to mold and rot. At this time, the tuber contains large amounts of vitamins and toxins, and eating this kind of purple sweet potato can easily lead to poisoning. In mild cases, there is abdominal pain and diarrhea; in severe cases, a poisoning reaction may occur, causing coma and endangering life.

4. Benefits and effects of purple sweet potato

1. Antioxidant, slowing the pace of aging

Research has shown that purple sweet potato has a certain antioxidant effect. That is to say, eating purple sweet potato regularly can slow the pace of aging, improve skin quality, and regulate the endocrine system. Therefore, for people who love beauty, in order to fight against age, they can choose to eat purple sweet potato, which can slow the speed of aging and let you stay young from the inside out.

2. Anti-mutation, reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease

Experiments have found that purple sweet potato contains anthocyanins that can effectively inhibit mutations caused by heterocyclic amines and the like. Two kinds of anthocyanins isolated from purple sweet potato have strong anti-mutation effects; in addition, anthocyanins have the effect of reducing cardiovascular disease. In in vitro experiments, anthocyanins can significantly inhibit low-density lipoprotein oxidation and platelet aggregation, and these two substances are the main causes of atherosclerosis.

3. Liver-protecting effect

Purple sweet potato can protect the liver. For fathers who often drink alcohol, smoke and have a quick temper, they can choose to eat some purple sweet potato, because purple sweet potato has the effect of reducing liver fire and can well assist you in regulating your health.

4. Weight-loss effect

The calorie content of purple sweet potato is even lower than that of ordinary rice, so after eating it you do not need to worry about gaining weight. For people who are losing weight and afraid of eating high-fat, high-calorie foods, they can choose to eat purple sweet potato instead of those greasy foods, because purple sweet potato is not only low in calories, but the fiber it contains can also promote intestinal peristalsis and help you drive away excess fat in the body. More importantly, purple sweet potato gives a feeling of fullness.

5. Dietary taboos of purple sweet potato

1. Purple sweet potato contains oxidase and easily produces gas; eating too much can cause abdominal bloating, stomach churning, hiccups and farting.

2. Purple sweet potato has a high sugar content; eating too much can stimulate the secretion of large amounts of gastric acid and make people feel heartburn.

3. People with dampness obstructing the spleen and stomach, or with qi stagnation and food accumulation, should eat it cautiously.

4. Do not eat purple sweet potato alone; it should be eaten together with foods containing high-quality protein for more comprehensive nutrition.

5. Do not eat it raw. Purple sweet potato should be eaten after being thoroughly cooked, because starch granules are difficult to digest without being broken down by high temperature.