Top 8 Health Benefits Of Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes have been a staple food in many parts of the world since ancient times. They are known for their bronze skin and bright orange flesh. There are hundreds of varieties found around the world in a variety of colors such as white, cream, yellow, reddish purple and dark purple. Sweet potatoes are native to Central and South America.
Some evidence shows that sweet potatoes evolved in the Americas 35 million years ago. But recently, scientists discovered 57-year-old fossil leaves in India. As the name suggests, sweet potatoes have a naturally sweet taste.
Sweet potatoes are a sweet, starchy vegetable that belongs to the nightshade family. They are available in 25 varieties.
Here are some of the most popular sweet potatoes:
Garnet, Jewel and Beauregard Sweet Potatoes – These sweet potatoes have orange-red skin and dark orange flesh. They are rich in various antioxidants.
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White sweet potatoes They are rumbly, with white flesh and golden brown skin.
It doesn't contain antioxidants as much as orange varieties.
Okinawan sweet potatoes – It is known as purple sweet potatoes because of their high anthocyanin content.
They are high in antioxidants due to the presence of anthocyanins.
Japanese sweet potato or Satsumaimo, this is sweeter than other sweet potatoes.
Sweet potatoes are a rich source of Vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene Vitamin B6 Vitamin C Potassium Fiber Minerals – iron, calcium and selenium Antibiotics oxidation According to my understanding, sweet potatoes can help fight HIV. Compounds such as polyphenols found in sweet potatoes have been shown to inhibit HIV replication. Therefore, they can play an important role as an anti-HIV food.
Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes
- Supports healthy vision
- Helps with good digestion
- Helps control diabetes
- Helps prevent cancer risk
- Helps reduce cardiovascular health risks
- May improve brain function
- May strengthen the immune system
- Helps improve skin
1. Supports healthy vision
Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene. It is an antioxidant commonly found in vegetables with bright orange flesh.
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Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in your body and used to form light-detecting receptors in your eyes.
Various eye disorders related to vitamin A deficiency such as dry eye disease and cataracts can be controlled by consuming oranges and sweet potatoes. Purple sweet potatoes also appear to benefit eyesight.
2. Helps with good digestion
Sweet potatoes are rich in fiber and are also known to improve intestinal health and digestion. The high fiber content in sweet potatoes can also help prevent constipation in children and adults.
It also contains large amounts of phytosterols that protect the digestive system. This can help prevent and control duodenal and gastric ulcers.
3. Supports diabetes treatment
Sweet potatoes are rich in natural sugar and starch. However, sweet potatoes have a low glycemic index.
A low glycemic index means sweet potatoes release sugar slowly into the bloodstream, unlike other starchy foods.
This continuous blood sugar mixing phase helps control rising blood sugar levels. The fiber in sweet potatoes is also beneficial for diabetes control. Studies have shown that people who eat more fiber appear to have a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
Half a cup of mashed sweet potatoes contains about 2.5 grams of fiber.
4. Helps prevent the risk of cancer
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Various studies show that purple-fleshed sweet potatoes are essential in fighting cancer. The carotenoids present in sweet potatoes are helpful in preventing cancers such as prostate cancer in men. Beta-carotene is an antioxidant that may help prevent and reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
5. Helps reduce risks to cardiovascular health
Various studies show that the fiber and antioxidants found in sweet potatoes help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Other scientific studies have shown that the high anthocyanin content in purple sweet potatoes helps reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
6. Can improve brain function
Purple-fleshed sweet potatoes are good for normal brain function.
Some animal studies have shown that anthocyanins in purple sweet potatoes may protect the brain by reducing inflammation and preventing mental decline.
7. May strengthen the immune system
Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes are an excellent source of the antioxidant beta-carotene. This beta-carotene helps convert it into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is essential for boosting your immunity to fight infections. It also keeps your intestinal system healthy and keeps your natural gut flora balanced.
8. Helps improve skin
Sweet potatoes are a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and antioxidants. Vitamin C and vitamin E are essential for healthy skin and hair.
Vitamin C contributes to the synthesis of collagen, the main structural protein of the skin. Many studies also show that vitamin C has anti-inflammatory properties. This means the vitamin can help control skin conditions like acne.
