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"Ah, isn't this Aunt Li? Went grocery shopping again today? Aunt Zhao was carrying a large vegetable basket in her hand and stepped forward with a smile.
The neighbors greeted each other, and in this humble little market, a little-known story was about to unfold. Aunt Li, a retired teacher, is over seventy years old. Since her retirement, she has changed careers to become a housewife with a simple and regular life. But it was such a seemingly ordinary day, but because of an ordinary dinner, she almost came to the edge of her life.
That night, Aunt Li fried a large plate of shredded potatoes. Who would have thought that it was this seemingly ordinary potato that almost put her life on the line. Afterwards, the doctor analyzed the cause, which was not only shocking, but also caused a lot of shock.
Regular potatoes contain a solanine, which increases when potatoes sprout or turn green. Excessive intake of solanine has a strong inhibitory effect on the human nervous system, and may even be fatal in severe cases. The elderly, on the other hand, are more likely to be poisoned because their liver and kidneys are relatively weak and their ability to deal with this toxin is much less than before.
"Solanine?" Aunt Li asked in surprise, sitting on the hospital bed, it was the first time she had heard of this term.
"That's right," the doctor said earnestly, "there are a few things that middle-aged and elderly people should really pay attention to when eating potatoes. First, avoid eating sprouted potatoes, where the most toxins are present. Secondly, it is best to soak potatoes in water before cooking, and some solanine can be removed. Finally, try not to eat potatoes frequently and in large quantities, especially french fries, as that can easily maintain the toxin concentration in the potatoes. ”
And Aunt Li's turmoil was precisely because she ate potatoes for a week, and all of them were her favorite french fries. When I am old and have a bad appetite, the potato strips are fragrant and crispy, and I eat too much before I know it.
The incident alerted seniors throughout the community. Aunt Zhao and Aunt Li often mentioned this matter at the afternoon tea party, reminding everyone to pay attention to food safety. "You know what? You can't just eat potatoes, they're poisonous. Aunt Zhao shook her head and admonished the neighbors.
However, in addition to the problem of solanine, the doctor also mentioned a deeper point that few people will notice in their daily lives - the problem of potato-drug interactions.
"You may not know that potatoes can also affect the absorption and metabolism of certain drugs," the doctor explained in the lecture, "especially hypoglycemic and antihypertensive drugs." Potatoes are rich in gluten, which has an important impact on insulin sensitivity in older adults. Therefore, if you don't pay attention to this aspect, you may inadvertently lead to poor blood sugar or blood pressure control, which can increase health risks. ”
Because of their high starch properties, potatoes can significantly affect blood sugar levels, which can cause blood sugar fluctuations to increase if left uncontrolled for diabetics who are taking hypoglycemic drugs.
Moreover, potatoes are high in potassium, which may affect the effectiveness of the drugs and even cause side effects for older people who take certain cardiovascular disease medications, especially those with diuretics and ACE inhibitors.
"For those who are old and have diabetes or high blood pressure, it is best to talk to the doctor before eating potatoes to see if they need to adjust their diet." Aunt Li often shares this point of view in small community activities, which has benefited many old friends. Even ordinary potatoes may react with drugs because of their chemical composition, affecting the absorption rate and metabolic processes of drugs in the human body.
At the end of the lecture, a member of the audience asked a question: "Doctor, I take blood pressure medication every day, and I like to eat potatoes, do you think there will be a conflict between the two?" What should I do? ”
The doctor replied: "First of all, you don't have to avoid potatoes completely, but it is recommended that you pay attention to two points. One is to minimize the consumption of large amounts of potatoes at one time, such as not eating a lot of potato products in one meal. ”
"Second, you can consider eating potatoes with other low-potassium foods to balance it out. Of course, the most important thing is to check your blood pressure and potassium levels regularly, communicate with your doctor, and adjust your diet and medication plan if necessary. ”
The veteran doctor's answers were not only detailed but also practical, and it was evident that he had a wealth of clinical experience and genuine concern for his patients. Aunt Li and the rest of the audience were listening attentively, knowing that these seemingly inconsequential little things were actually related to their healthy lives.
What do you think about potatoes? Welcome to discuss in the comment area!