Sweet potato leaves are considered a "summer miracle cure," but they're not good for everyone.
Sweet potato leaves are rich in nutrients and used to cool the body and detoxify, but some people should avoid eating them to protect their health.
According to Traditional Medicine Practitioner Do Minh Tuan, Director of Professional Services at Do Minh Duong Traditional Medicine Clinic (Hanoi), sweet potato leaves have a cooling effect, helping to clear heat effectively, especially during hot summer days. When the body is overheated, eating sweet potato leaves helps cool the body, reducing mouth ulcers, boils, and inflammatory conditions related to the liver.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, sweet potato leaves are considered cooling, helping to clear heat, detoxify the liver, cool the body, and reduce mouth ulcers and boils. This vegetable is also rich in fiber, good for digestion, helping to cleanse the intestines, and reduce constipation and bloating.
The high vitamin C content in sweet potato leaves helps boost the immune system, beautify the skin, and fight aging. In addition, sweet potato leaves contain a lot of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure, stabilize heart rate, and is good for cardiovascular health. With low calories, high water content, and fiber, sweet potato leaves are also an ideal choice for those who want to lose weight and maintain their figure.
According to Traditional Medicine Practitioner Do Minh Tuan, although sweet potato leaves have many health benefits, they are not suitable for everyone. The following groups of people should be cautious when consuming sweet potato leaves:
Pregnant women
Women in the first three months of pregnancy should avoid eating sweet potato leaves. Sweet potato leaves can cause uterine contractions, potentially leading to miscarriage or other pregnancy complications. Therefore, pregnant women should avoid eating sweet potato leaves during this time to ensure the safety of the fetus.
People with diarrhea or those with a cold constitution.
Sweet potato leaves have a cooling effect, and eating too much can worsen diarrhea or bloating, especially for those with a cold constitution. If you are experiencing diarrhea, you should limit your consumption of sweet potato leaves to avoid exacerbating the condition.
People with low blood pressure
Due to its vasodilating and blood pressure-lowering effects, people with low blood pressure should be cautious when eating sweet potato leaves. Eating too much sweet potato leaves can cause blood pressure to drop too low, leading to dizziness, fatigue, and other health problems.
People with kidney problems
Sweet potato leaves have a very strong cooling and detoxifying effect. If the body cannot process them quickly enough, it will increase the burden on the kidneys, especially for those with chronic kidney disease. Therefore, people with kidney problems should limit their consumption of sweet potato leaves.
Although spinach is a healthy food, proper consumption will yield the best results. It's important to eat spinach correctly and avoid overconsumption, especially for those with underlying health conditions. Choose a diverse diet that suits your individual needs to protect your health.
