Patient's question:
Because my hometown is in the countryside, the food I usually eat is mostly grown in the fields. Especially sweet potatoes, my family grows many of them. Every time I eat a lot of them, so I want to ask if eating too many sweet potatoes can cause constipation?Doctor's answer:
It's better not to worry too much about this issue, as it's generally never a problem. Sweet potatoes have a high sugar content, and eating too much in a short period can overwhelm the body's ability to digest them. The remaining portion left in the intestines can ferment, leading to abdominal discomfort. Therefore, traditional Chinese medicine also advises caution for those with dampness obstructing the spleen and stomach or those with stagnant qi and food accumulation. Sweet potatoes are high in starch, and eating them raw makes absorption more difficult. Even a small overconsumption can easily lead to constipation again. It's best to eat them cooked. High-temperature cooking also makes soluble fiber easier to digest, shortens the sugar chains, and enhances the sweetness of sweet potatoes.