One of the most nutritious vegetable in the world, sweet potato, belongs to the Convolvulaceae family. As the name describes, sweet potatoes are starchy and slightly sweet in taste.
These inexpensive super foods are readily available and contain some amazing and valuable nutrients, which have proved to provide a number of health benefits to your body. In this article, we’re sharing the 10 health benefits of sweet potato and reasons to eat more of this delicious vegetable.
1. Prevents Heart Disorders
The high amount of vitamin B6 that sweet potato encloses is great for preventing heart diseases as it reduces the level of homocysteine chemical.
2. Contains Vitamin D
Vitamin D is imperative in sustaining the health of thyroid gland, teeth, bones, nerves, and skin. Sweet potato is abundant in quantity of vitamin D; hence, it is good for the nourishment of the body.
3. Enhances Immunity
As a matter of fact, iron is indispensable for maintaining the level of energy in the body. In this way, sweet potato is great in enhancing the immunity of the body. Besides this, sweet potato also improves the production of white and red blood cells and prevents stress.
4. Stabilizes Blood Sugar
The carotenoid compounds of sweet potato alleviate the blood sugar by responding to insulin. The considerable amount of vitamin B6 curtails the diabetic heart disease.
5. Cures Emphysema
Having one sweet potato in a day fulfils the 90% requirement of vitamin A, needed by the body. The vitamin A cures lung disorders, such as emphysema.
6. Promotes Healthy Digestion
Sweet potatoes are prosperously rich with the dietary fibres, which keeps the digestive tract clean and induces healthy elimination and digestion.
7. Cures Stomach Ulcers
If you are suffering with stomach ulcers, go for sweet potato and incorporate it in your diet as soon as possible. The vitamin C, beta-carotene, B vitamins, potassium, and calcium alleviate the possibility of ulcers.
8. Regulates Nerve Signals and Heartbeat
Sweet potatoes are rich in the contents of potassium, which are helpful in regulating heartbeat and nerve signals. Potassium also regulates the functioning of kidney, reduces swelling, and relaxes tightening of muscles, thereby alleviating muscle cramps.
9. Anti-inflammatory
The anti-inflammatory properties of sweet potato cures internal and external inflammations, like heartburn, rheumatoid arthritis, acidity, etc.
10. Foetal Development
Sweet potatoes have an abundance of folate in it, which develops the cells and tissues of the foetus inside mother’s womb.
With 10 health benefits of sweet potato, there are so many reasons to eat more nutritious food every day. In today’s age, sweet potatoes have become more popular in restaurants and supermarkets.
White potatoes contain less fat and sugar than sweet potatoes, though they contain more carbohydrates and overall calories. In terms of nutritional value, sweet potatoes offer more vitamins A and C which contributes to your overall health and wellbeing.
Let’s not deny that there are many nutritional benefits to eating white potatoes, but the sweet kind is the overall winner when looking at the vitamin and mineral contents.
They contain more manganese, which is essential for absorbing vitamins and developing your bones. Manganese is also essential for boosting your metabolism so you can burn more calories without doing anything.
Another major difference is that sweet potatoes help you feel better and more relaxed. This is all thanks to the higher magnesium content that lowers your blood sugar and blood pressure so your body physically feels more relaxed.
Now that you’re ready to increase your sweet-potato intake, consider these tips when cooking the potato to ensure you don’t reduce their nutritional value.
Steam, boil or roast sweet potatoes, rather than frying them, as this will reduce their fat and calorie content. Many nutrients and fiber are hidden in the skins, so keep them on when cooking. This also saves your preparation time in the kitchen.
We also recommend opting for healthy toppings, such as vegetables and Greek yogurt, rather than adding full-fat cream and cheese on top as this will reduce layering the potatoes with calories.
Finally, prevent purchasing potato chips or ready-made sweet potato fries as these contain added salt and preservatives to enhance the flavor. Instead, prepare the vegetables yourself and flavor with spices from your kitchen.
