What nutritional value does finger citron have? How should finger citron be eaten?
The fruit of the finger citron is the chayote, a vegetable variety of the Cucurbitaceae family. Chayote is crisp and juicy, delicious and palatable, with relatively high nutritional value. It can be used in dishes, and can also be eaten raw as a fruit; it is also a traditional Chinese medicine that strengthens the stomach and regulates qi. The leaves, flowers and fruit of the finger citron can be brewed as tea or steeped in liquor for drinking, and have the effects of regulating qi and strengthening the spleen, resolving phlegm and relieving cough, and relaxing muscles and invigorating blood circulation. The flesh of chayote is tender; every 100 grams of chayote fruit contains 90-92 grams of water, 0.9-1.2 grams of protein, 2.6-7.7 grams of carbohydrates, 12-22 milligrams of vitamin C, and 20 micrograms of carotene. Its potassium content is relatively high, reaching 190 milligrams, along with 0.1 milligram of riboflavin, 500 milligrams of calcium, 320 milligrams of phosphorus, 40 milligrams of iron, 10 milligrams of sodium, 0.03 milligram of copper, 7 milligrams of magnesium, 8.35 micrograms of zinc, and 2.3 micrograms of selenium. In addition, it also contains folic acid, pantothenic acid, niacin and so on. The shoots of chayote are also a nutrient-rich vegetable, unmatched by many other vegetables.
The nutritional value of chayote
1. Chayote is crisp and rich in nutrients. Every kilogram of fresh chayote contains 5 grams of protein, 1 gram of fat, 30 grams of cellulose, 77 grams of carbohydrates, and also contains 220 milligrams of vitamin C, 0.1 milligram of riboflavin, 500 milligrams of calcium, 320 milligrams of phosphorus, and 40 milligrams of iron.
2. The flesh of chayote is tender; every 100 grams of chayote fruit contains 90—92 grams of water, 0.9—1.2 grams of protein, 2.6—7.7 grams of carbohydrates, 12—22 milligrams of vitamin C, and 20 micrograms of carotene. Its potassium content is relatively high, reaching 190 milligrams, along with 0.1 milligram of riboflavin, 500 milligrams of calcium, 320 milligrams of phosphorus, 40 milligrams of iron, 10 milligrams of sodium, 0.03 milligram of copper, 7 milligrams of magnesium, 8.35 micrograms of zinc and 2.3 micrograms of selenium. In addition, it also contains folic acid, pantothenic acid, niacin and so on.
3. The shoots of chayote are also a nutrient-rich vegetable; every 100 grams of fresh shoots contain 1.8 grams of protein, 0.5 gram of fat, 4.3 grams of carbohydrates, 20 milligrams of calcium, 10 milligrams of phosphorus, and 14 milligrams of iron. In particular, the selenium content reaches 30.58-53.01 micrograms per 100 grams, unmatched by many other vegetables.
4. The protein and calcium content of chayote is 2-3 times that of cucumber, and its vitamin and mineral content is also significantly higher than that of other gourds. It is also very low in calories and is a low-sodium food, making it a health vegetable for patients with heart disease and high blood pressure. Regularly eating chayote can promote urination and eliminate sodium, and has the function of dilating blood vessels and lowering blood pressure.
5. The calcium content of young chayote is more than 2 times higher than that of cucumber, winter melon and zucchini, and its iron content is 4 times that of pumpkin and 12 times that of cucumber; the white or cream-colored varieties have the best quality.
The effects and functions of chayote
1. Among gourd vegetables, chayote is comprehensive and rich in nutrients, and regular consumption is beneficial for enhancing the body's ability to resist disease.
2. The protein and calcium content of chayote is 2-3 times that of cucumber, and its vitamin and mineral content is also significantly higher than that of other gourds. It is also very low in calories and is a low-sodium food, making it a health vegetable for patients with heart disease and high blood pressure. Regularly eating chayote can promote urination and eliminate sodium, and has the function of dilating blood vessels and lowering blood pressure.
3. According to reports from the National Nutrition Association, zinc has a relatively large impact on children's intellectual development, and regularly eating chayote, which is rich in zinc, helps improve intelligence.
4. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that it has the effects of regulating qi and harmonizing the middle, soothing the liver and relieving cough, and it is suitable for people with indigestion, chest tightness and abdominal bloating, vomiting, liver-stomach qi pain, and bronchitis with cough and excessive phlegm.
5. The selenium content of chayote shoots reaches as high as 30.58-53.01 micrograms per 100 grams, unmatched by many other vegetables. Modern medicine has proven that selenium is an indispensable trace element for the human body, and the daily intake for each adult should be 30-50 micrograms. Selenium has a relatively strong antioxidant effect and can protect the structure and function of cell membranes from damage.
6. Chayote has a relatively good therapeutic effect on infertility caused by nutritional factors in both men and women, especially on the decline of sexual function in men.
A guide to eating chayote
1. There are many ways to eat chayote. The fresh gourd can be sliced or shredded, and used in meat stir-fries, vegetarian stir-fries, cold dishes, soups, hot pot, as a high-quality dumpling filling, and so on; it can also be processed into pickled products or canned goods. Abroad, chayote is eaten by steaming, roasting, deep-frying, and lightly pan-frying.
2. When eating chayote, it is best to choose young fruits whose shoulder area is glossy and whose skin has relatively shallow longitudinal grooves; those with bright green, tender skin that has not yet hardened are the best.
3. Besides the fruit, the roots and stems of chayote can also be eaten; the method and flavor are similar to those of potato, and they contain relatively more vitamin A and C. The tender leaves and new shoots can also be eaten as vegetables.
4. Chayote comes onto the market in late autumn and stores very well; at room temperature it can be kept from October all the way to March—April of the following year, with basically no change in flavor.
Chayote can be used in dishes and can also be eaten raw as a fruit, and it is rich in nutrients. In addition, its shape resembles two palms pressed together, carrying a Buddhist meaning of blessing, and it is deeply loved by people.