Why is Sweet Dumpling Difficult for Digestion? - Dietitian Mate

Sweet dumpling (tan yuan) is made from starch; Starch is being categorised as amylose and amylopectin.

Usually the structure of amylopectin is easier to be broken down by enzymes in our bodies, thus the digestion for glutinous rice with amylopectin starch is faster.

But, why is it that the sweet dumpling (tang yuan) made from glutinous rice causes indigestion issues?

Reason 1: #支链淀粉的消化不完整 The incomplete digestion of amylopectin

The enzyme which can break down the amylopectin starch is distributed in our mouth and small intestines, there isn't any enzymes to break down starch in our stomach, and thus starch can only be broken down in the mouth.

So when the undigested sweet dumpling reaches stomach, the incomplete digestion of the starch causes bloated stomach.

The digestion of sweet dumpling is then continued and completed when it goes to our small intestines.

Reason 2: #温度冷热关系 Due to variation in temperature

More and more resistant starch is being produced after sweet dumpling is being cooled down and reheated, which then leads to the indigestion problem for human body.

Reason 3: #馅料选择 Options of different fillings

Most of the fillings are high in sugar and high in fats, and due to raw ingredients used, it causes the sweet dumplings to be difficult for digestion.

#汤圆

#冬至

#营养师

#饮食治疗师

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