Who should not eat water spinach?
Water spinach is not suitable for people with open wounds, those suffering from aches and pains, arthritis, or conditions such as gout and high blood pressure.
According to The Star, 100g of water spinach contains 90% water, 3g of fiber, 3g of protein, vitamin C, vitamin E, fat, and minerals such as iron, zinc, and magnesium. This small and familiar vegetable offers many health benefits. Water spinach is good for people with anemia, osteoporosis, low blood pressure, pregnant women, and reduces the risk of constipation.
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Photo: Seriouseat. |
However, due to the farming environment in ponds and lakes, water spinach is often contaminated with many types of parasites. Eating raw, unprocessed water spinach can easily lead to the risk of intestinal diseases such as liver fluke infection. More dangerously, the parasite Fasciolopsis buski can enter the body, attach to the intestines, penetrate the intestinal wall into the bloodstream, thereby causing bloating, indigestion, and allergies. Therefore, water spinach needs to be washed thoroughly, soaked in salt water, and cooked.
There are four groups of people who should limit their consumption of water spinach:
ButThose with gout, urinary tract infections due to kidney stones, and high blood pressure.
ButWater spinach and beef are foods that can cause keloid scarring in people with soft tissue wounds, because they stimulate cell proliferation, leading to keloid formation on the skin.
ButPeople undergoing medical or surgical treatment are also not encouraged to eat water spinach.
ButWater spinach is a food that should be avoided by people with bone and joint pain or inflammation, as it can worsen the pain and numbness.
Additionally, water spinach with smaller stems is crispier, tastier, and safer than water spinach with overly large stems. It's recommended to soak the spinach in diluted salt water, rinse it thoroughly with plenty of water, and store it in the refrigerator for a few days to break down any pesticide residue.
According to VNE
