Speaking of Grandpa Wu, he is an "iron fan" of water spinach. This dish is indispensable on the dining table at home. As for his wife, he has always supported him, after all, everyone knows that eating more vegetables is good for the body.
However, some time ago, when my wife was chatting with my neighbor's aunt, I heard a news that shocked her: water spinach is actually a "harmful dish", and if you eat too much, you may get all kinds of diseases, and you may even get cancer!
As soon as the news reached the house, the water spinach was suddenly "off the shelves" from the table. How can Grandpa Wu adapt, and occasionally secretly buy some to satisfy his hunger. But my wife's eyes are sharp, and she can catch it every time, and then it's a nag.
Grandpa Wu felt that aggrieved in his heart, he had eaten water spinach for so many years, and his health has always been fine. How did all of a sudden, this dish become "taboo"?
01
There are many doubts about water spinach on the Internet, and some people even call it a "harmful dish". This has confused and worried a lot of housewives like Aunt Li. So, is there a problem with water spinach?
Myth 1: Water spinach can cause cramps.
Some people say that eating too much water spinach can cause cramps, which makes many people shy away from this home-cooked dish. But in fact, there are many causes of cramps, including fatigue, electrolyte imbalance, cold, etc., and water spinach is not a direct trigger.
Of course, for individuals, if they are allergic to water spinach or have a special constitution, they may feel uncomfortable, but this does not mean that there is a problem with water spinach itself.
Myth 2: Water spinach has excessive heavy metals.
This rumor has made many people stay away from water spinach. However, whether water spinach exceeds the heavy metal limit mainly depends on the planting environment and soil conditions.
The mainland has strict requirements for the origin of vegetables, as long as the water spinach is planted under the specified soil and water quality conditions, its heavy metal content will not exceed the standard. Therefore, consumers should choose formal channels when purchasing to ensure food safety.
02
In addition to water spinach, there are also some other so-called "carcinogenic vegetables" circulating on the Internet. These rumors are often frightening, but what is the truth?
Zucchini: Some people say that fried zucchini has an increased amount of acrylamide, which can lead to a risk of cancer. But in reality, acrylamide is produced by the reaction of amino acids and sugars at high temperatures, and the amount of acrylamide produced during daily cooking is extremely low enough to pose a threat to the human body.
Houttuynia cordata: Houttuynia cordata is controversial for its presence in aristolochia lactam. However, aristolochic lactam is not aristolochic acid, and the structure of the two is different, and the toxicity is also different. There is no conclusive evidence that Houttuynia cordata causes cancer.
Baby cabbage: Rumors about baby cabbage soaked in formaldehyde are also common. However, baby cabbage purchased through regular channels will not be soaked in formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a substance that is prohibited by the state from being added to food, and it has no preservation effect, so consumers do not need to worry too much.
Raw tomatoes: Unripe tomatoes contain alkaloids, which may cause discomfort when consumed in large amounts. But ripe tomatoes are safe and nutritious, making them an important part of our daily diet.
03
Instead of worrying about vegetables that are misunderstood, we should focus on those that can really pose health risks. Here are some "poisonous vegetables" to watch out for:
Green beans/beans: These legumes contain saponins, which may cause symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and more if eaten uncooked. Therefore, always make sure that they are well cooked while cooking.
Toon: Toon contains a high level of nitrite, and while nitrite itself is not carcinogenic, it may be converted into nitrosamines, a carcinogen, under certain conditions. To reduce the risk, it is recommended to blanch the water for one minute before cooking.
Vegetables that may be contaminated with parasites: Aquatic vegetables such as water chestnuts and lotus roots may carry parasite eggs or larvae. To ensure safety, these vegetables also need to be cooked before eating.
Fresh daylily: Fresh daylily contains toxic substances such as colchicine, which can lead to poisoning if not handled properly. It is recommended to remove the stamens and blanch them before frying them.
Red phoenix: Red phoenix contains potential hepatotoxic substances such as pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which may cause liver damage if consumed in large quantities for a long time. Therefore, it is recommended to eat as little or no red phoenix as possible.
Finally, I would like to say that it is recommended that everyone should be scientific and rational when choosing and eating vegetables. Don't trust false information on the Internet and cause yourself to fall into unnecessary panic.
At the same time, we should also pay attention to choosing fresh and healthy ingredients and using scientific cooking methods to preserve the nutrition and taste of food. Only then can we truly enjoy the deliciousness and health that food brings!