Healthy Food Database

Water spinach, has many names. It's botanical name is Ipomoea aquatica, but it can also be referred to as river spinach, water morning glory, water convolvulus, or by the more ambiguous names Chinese spinach, Chinese Watercress, Chinese convolvulus, swamp cabbage or kangkong. As the name suggests it is grown in water so it's important to but it from a reputable source where you can be sure the water it was grown in is not contaminated. It is an extremely good source of beta carotene, vitamin C and iron, and a good source or fibre, B group vitamins, magnesium, potassium and manganese, also containing antioxidant and antimicrobial substances. The vegetable is a common ingredient in East, South and Southeast Asian dishes, such as in stir-fried water spinach.
In traditional medicine of South-East Asia it is used to treat piles, nosebleed, and high blood pressure. In Ayurveda leave extracts are used against jaundice and nervous debility and in indigenous medicine in Sri Lanka water spinach supposed to have insulin-like properties.

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