We went to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam last May 2013, and the first thing my mom's friend told her to buy was their Lotus Seed. And we never know about it until mom's friend mentioned it LOL. So that's the first thing mom was looking for while we were in Ben Thanh Market hehe...
Unfriendly weather when we went there, super HOT.... You can see everyone was holding a fan inside the market. I know the Vietnamese seller try to be friendly whenever they introduce us their products, but please I don't like the way they hold your hand ( and sometimes won't let it go..wth), touch your shoulder...OMG.... Please...I was very hot and sweating like shit (especially for preggy woman, your body temperature will be warmer) and they just easily tap here tap there , tap on your hand or shoulder... MOZARELLLLLLA....Haizzzz
Ok enough for the complain...OK back to our lotus seed's topic
This lotus seed tastes really nice, crunchy and tasty... more like nuts. I never thought about its benefit until I went google on it. And surprisingly, this little seed has a lot of medical values... *Woohooo*
What is Lotus seeds?
Lotus seed (lianzi) was a seed from lotus flower ( a fresh-water plant that grows in semitropical climates). Lotus seeds are valued for nutritional and healing properties in Chinese medicine, and also are used in many recipes for cooking.
These small seeds are found inside the seed pods of lotus which each pod contains an average of 20 seeds which each seed being surrounded by a shell. The fresh seeds are green and will turning to cream or yellow color when dried.
The benefit of lotus seeds:
- good source of protein, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus.
- low in saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol
- contain the anti-aging enzyme L-isoaspartyl menthyltransferase that can help to repair damaged proteins ( source: Kushi Institute, a macrobiotic website)
- contains kaempferol, which can helps repair aging gum tissue ( source: Water Gardeners International website)
- restore vital energy within the body
- good for kidney, spleen and heart
- alleviate and can fight chronic diarrhea
- good to treat insomnia and calming effects ( especially the benefits of the bitter heart of lotus seed)
Side effects:
Currently, there's still no side effects of consuming these seeds, except for allergic reactions to some people.
Warning to patients who are undergoing treatment like diabetes, cholesterol and cardiac or psychiatric conditions and pregnant woman should avoid consuming these seeds.
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