Lee Bo-hee Buys Deodeok Rich in Fiber and Saponin for Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Actor Lee Bo-hee purchased a large wild herb known as deodeok at a market in Wando on Oct. 7, highlighting the root vegetable’s rich dietary fiber and saponin content for digestion and nutrition, health.chosun.com reported.

Lee Bo-hee Purchases Large Deodeok in Wando

During a video published on her YouTube channel, Lee visited a market in Wando and spotted a notably large deodeok root. I’ve never seen one this big before. she remarked, according to health.chosun.com. She asked a merchant for tender roots rather than tough ones, later expressing mild concern on camera that the oversized vegetable might be tough to chew.

Nutritional Benefits of Fiber and Saponin

Deodeok is a bitter-tasting root vegetable containing dietary fiber and saponins. Data from the Rural Development Administration’s National Standard Food Composition Table shows that 100 grams of raw deodeok contains 3.7 grams of dietary fiber. This component increases stool bulk, stimulates bowel movements, and serves as nourishment for beneficial gut bacteria.

The saponins present in the vegetable are plant compounds linked to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. A 2023 study published in the Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition by the Rural Development Administration analyzed deodeok’s active parts and found that its extracts inhibited inflammation-related substances, with the peel showing particularly high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. However, health.chosun.com noted that because these findings stem from cell experiments, further study is required to determine whether identical effects occur when humans consume the vegetable.

Selection, Preparation, and Storage Guidelines

Visual size alone does not dictate whether deodeok is tough, as texture depends on cultivation duration and tissue state. When shopping, consumers should look for firm roots that are neither overly dry nor mushy, avoiding surfaces with heavy blemishes or soft spots.

Tough roots can be made tender through specific preparation methods. After peeling, splitting the deodeok lengthwise and striking it lightly with a mallet or the back of a knife loosens the dense fibers. Unwashed deodeok covered in soil should be wrapped in newspaper or kitchen towels and refrigerated, while peeled roots belong in an airtight container for rapid consumption.