What are the effects and contraindications of lotus root

Lotus root is a food that most people are familiar with, and its taste is obviously loved by many people. Winter is a good season to eat some of it, because the lotus root at this time has high nutritional value, and has the effects of strengthening the spleen and appetite, calming the nerves, stopping bleeding and dispersing blood stasis. Lotus root also has the effect of ventilation, so many people during a cold often have a stuffy nose. At this time, eating more lotus roots can help nasal ventilation and relieve nasal diseases.

What are the benefits of eating lotus root in winter?

1. Nutritional supplement

The lotus root has a thick rhizome, tender flesh, fresh, crisp and sweet taste. It contains starch, protein, asparagine, vitamin C and oxidase ingredients, and has a high sugar content. Eating fresh lotus root raw can clear away heat and relieve restlessness, quench thirst and stop vomiting; if the fresh lotus root is squeezed to extract juice, its effect is even better. The cooked lotus root is sweet and warm in nature, can strengthen the spleen and appetite, replenish blood and nourish the heart, and has the effects of digesting food, quenching thirst and promoting muscle growth.

2. Strengthen the spleen and stimulate appetite

Lotus root contains mucus protein and dietary fiber, which combine with bile salts in the human body, cholesterol and triglycerides in food to excrete harmful substances from the feces and help reduce fat absorption. Lotus root also contains tannins, which have a certain effect of strengthening the spleen and stopping diarrhea, can promote digestion, stimulate the appetite and strengthen the spleen, enhance appetite, and help people with loss of appetite and poor appetite recover their health.

3. Stop bleeding and relieve blood stasis

Lotus root contains a large amount of tannic acid, which has the effect of constricting blood vessels, can be used to stop bleeding, and can also cool blood and disperse blood. In addition, lotus root is rich in nutrients such as iron, calcium, plant protein, vitamins and starch, and has obvious effects of replenishing qi and blood and enhancing human immunity.

4. Calm the mind

Lotus root has the effect of restoring nervous fatigue and can be used to prevent and treat symptoms such as restlessness, insomnia, and eyestrain caused by excessive mental tension and anxiety.

What should we pay attention to when eating lotus root in winter?

1. People with spleen deficiency, cold stomach, and prone to diarrhea should not eat raw lotus root.

Raw lotus root is cool in nature, and it is good for people with hot body to eat some raw lotus root slices. However, for people with poor spleen and stomach, or those with loose stools, eating raw or cold food is difficult to digest and can easily aggravate the cold symptoms.

2. Avoid using iron pans to cook lotus roots

Lotus root is rich in iron, so it is best to cook it in ceramic or stainless steel utensils, and avoid using iron or aluminum pots, otherwise it will turn black, look ugly, and affect appetite.