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"Sweet potatoes are amazing!"
Aunt Li walked into the doctor's office and began to tell her story with excitement on her face. Six months ago, in order to lower blood lipids, Aunt Li decided to replace the traditional staple food with sweet potatoes. As a 50-year-old ordinary middle school history teacher, her life was originally uneventful, but this attempt brought about unexpected changes.
The doctor listened patiently, both surprised and delighted by Aunt Li's change. Before she started the experiment, her total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, also known as "bad cholesterol") levels were significantly higher than normal. After half a year of perseverance, not only did she lose 8 kilograms of weight, but her blood lipid level also dropped significantly.
The doctor turned on the computer and analyzed Aunt Li's physical examination report in detail. "Look here, your cholesterol goes up and down from 240 mg/min to 180 mg/dL, and your LDL goes up and down from 150 mg/min to 100 mg/dL. Plus, your blood sugar and blood pressure are kept within a healthy range. ”
Aunt Li was very satisfied after hearing this, and she asked curiously, "What is the magic of this sweet potato?" The doctor explained with a smile: "Sweet potato is a very excellent natural food, rich in dietary fiber, potassium, vitamin C and other nutrients. Dietary fiber can help lower blood cholesterol levels, while potassium helps regulate blood pressure. ”
"In fact, sweet potatoes also contain a compound called 'resveratrol,' which is also found in grapes and some berries. "Resveratrol has been shown to have a positive effect on cardiovascular health, and it can improve the elasticity of blood vessels, thereby helping to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease." ”
Aunt Li's mouth opened wide in surprise, she never thought that there were so many secrets hidden in ordinary sweet potatoes. So she couldn't help but ask again: "Then why did I eat so much rice and noodles before, and my weight and blood lipids couldn't go down?"
"It really has a lot to do with the type of staple food. "Sweet potatoes have a lower glycemic index than rice and noodles, which means it doesn't cause a sharp rise in blood sugar levels." When blood sugar is well controlled, the secretion of insulin in the body can be reduced, and too much insulin can increase fat synthesis and storage. ”
The doctor looked out the window and continued, "Also, sweet potatoes are more satiety, which helps control total calorie intake, which in turn helps with weight management. ”
Aunt Li listened with relish, and she felt that this doctor's trip was very worthwhile. Finally, she asked a question that she had been concerned about: "Doctor, can I continue to eat sweet potatoes like this as a staple food, and are there any side effects that I should be aware of?"
The doctor nodded, then replied seriously: "You can continue, but be careful not to rely entirely on sweet potatoes." While sweet potatoes are healthy, eating a balanced diet is more important. You should make sure that you have enough protein, healthy fats, and other kinds of vegetables in your diet. Also, if you have diabetes or other health problems, it's always best to consult your doctor first. ”
Aunt Li was very satisfied with the doctor's answer, and she decided to continue to follow the doctor's advice while also trying some new healthy recipes. When she walked out of the office, she was in a relaxed and happy mood, full of anticipation for the future.
What do you think about sweet potatoes? Welcome to discuss in the comment area!