I believe everyone will not be too unfamiliar with water spinach. It is also called urn vegetable, water spinach, bamboo leaf vegetable, Tongcai, rattan vegetable, Tongcai and Jiejiecai. Wait, it is a green and healthy vegetable, but some people say that water spinach leaves cannot be eaten, so can water spinach leaves be eaten? Let’s take a look together below!

Are water spinach leaves edible?

Water spinach leaves are edible. Water spinach is called water spinach because the center of the stem is hollow. It is commonly cultivated as a vegetable in rural areas of southern China. It is a creeping herbaceous plant that grows annually or for many years in the Convolvulaceae family. Its leaves are also very nutritious and can be eaten.

Nutritional value of water spinach

Water spinach is rich in provitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin C and niacin as well as protein, fat, calcium and phosphorus. , iron, etc., its vitamin b1 content is 8 times that of tomatoes, and its calcium content is 12 times that of tomatoes.

1. Water spinach is extremely rich in crude fiber, which is composed of cellulose, lignin and pectin.

2. Water spinach is an alkaline food and contains potassium, chlorine and other elements that regulate water-liquid balance.

3. Water spinach is rich in vitamin C and carotene, and its vitamin content is higher than that of Chinese cabbage.

4. The protein content in the young shoots is 4 times higher than the same amount of tomatoes, the calcium content is more than 12 times higher than that of tomatoes, and it contains more carotene.

How to buy water spinach

1. Appearance: High-quality water spinach is better if it has relatively complete stems and leaves, no fibrous roots, and not too long stems.

2. Look at the leaves: The leaves should be wide, without yellow spots, no rotten leaves, wilted leaves, no insect damage, and green color is preferred.

3. Smell: When selecting water spinach, you should smell the water spinach to prevent pesticide residues.

4. Pinch the stem: When selecting, you should gently pinch the stem of the water spinach with your hands. If it breaks easily, it means it is very tender, otherwise it is an old water spinach.