- Always peel the jicama thoroughly.
- Consume it in moderate amounts.
- Buy from reliable places and prefer fresh pieces.
5. Zucchini: light and healthy, except when bitter
Zucchini is associated with light diets, but it has an important detail:
- It contains cucurbitacins, compounds responsible for the bitter taste.
- In high doses, these substances can be toxic and cause:
- nausea
- Vomiting
- severe diarrhea,
- abdominal pain.
In older people, dehydration due to vomiting or diarrhea may be more severe than in a young person.
At the same time, the zucchini well chosen and prepared:
- It is low in calories.
- It provides fiber, B vitamins, vitamin C, potassium and magnesium.
- Helps with blood pressure, muscle function, and digestion.
How to consume it with peace of mind:
- Avoid zucchini with a bitter taste or strange appearance.
- Prefer fresh, trustworthy products, ideally organic.
- Steam, sauté or boil it, discarding the water if there is a strange taste.
- Do not insist if you notice bitterness: it is a warning sign.
How to put together a safer, more protective plate after age 60
To transform all this information into something practical, you can use these ideas: