Food Health

Health benefits of Sweet Potatoes

Published: September 25, 2020Last updated: July 14, 2024benefits, benefits of Potatoes, Benefits of sweet potatoes, health, health benefits, Health benefits of Sweet Potatoes, Nutrients of sweet potatoes, Potatoe, Sweet Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes benefits, Sweet Potatoes health benefits, sweet potatoes Nutrients

Although the name is potato, there are many differences between a sweet potato and a potato. Sweet potatoes can be eaten very easily. It can also be eaten boiled or fried in oil or cooked with various vegetables or fish.

Sweet potatoes come in a variety of shapes and colors. It is usually white, red, purple, yellow, and pink. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. Sweet potatoes are high in fiber.

But most importantly, sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants called beta-carotene. It is an excellent source of vitamin A.

In some parts of the United States and Canada, sweet potatoes are called yams, but yams are a slightly different species from sweet potatoes.

Soils with light acidic and pH levels between 5.0-6.50 are good for sweet potato cultivation.

Scientific name of sweet potato: Ipomoea batatas and Sweet potato in English. Sweet potato is a creeping herb of the genus Ipomoea in the family Convolvulaceae.

Nutrients of sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Below are some important nutrients of sweet potato –

Calories: 180
Carbohydrates: 41.4 grams
Protein: 4 grams
Fat: 0.3 grams
Fiber: 6.6 grams
Vitamin A: 796% (DV)
Vitamin “C”: 65% (DV)
Manganese: 50% (DV)
Vitamin B-6: 29% (DV)
Potassium: 27% (DV)
pentothenic acid: 1% (DV)
Copper: 16% (DV)

Benefits of sweet potatoes

Try to put sweet potatoes on the food list. Eat-in moderation. Not that you have to eat too much. The health benefits of sweet potatoes are discussed below –

High antioxidant-rich

Sweet potatoes, known as ‘superfoods’ (especially orange and purple varieties) are rich in antioxidants. Protects our bodies from free radicals.

Free radical causes cancer, heart disease, and chronic illness in old age. So it is necessary to eat sweet potatoes which are rich in antioxidants.

Keeps the digestive system healthy

Sweet potatoes are good for our intestines as they contain a lot of fiber. The fiber in sweet potatoes helps in the growth of good intestinal bacteria and keeps the intestinal system healthy.

Very beneficial for digestion. It reduces gastric problems.

Keeps eyesight good

Sweet potatoes are rich in beta carotene and anthocyanins. These beta carotene and anthocyanins help keep our eyesight good and improve eye health.

Good for the brain

Studies on animals have shown that sweet potatoes can improve brain health by preventing mental deterioration.

We should put sweet potatoes on the food list to improve brain health.

To control weight

Eating fiber-rich sweet potatoes makes the stomach feel full for a long time. As a result, the tendency to eat again and again decreases.

Regular consumption of sweet potatoes reduces the risk of weight gain.

To control blood pressure

Sweet potatoes are rich in potassium which helps in reducing high blood pressure. Mineral manganese is also found which is useful for growth, structure, and metabolism of the body.

Increase immunity

One cup of sweet potatoes contains about half of the daily requirement of vitamin C. Eating sweet potatoes increases immunity as it is rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin A.