Sweet Potato

Nutrition Information And Facts

One of the key health benefits
of sweet potatoes is the dietary fiber
that has been proven to help
regulate blood sugar level in diabetics.

Despite its name, the sweet potato really doesn't belong to the same family as the potato, not even close.  Potatoes are tubers, sweet potatoes are roots. In some places, the darker colored sweet potatoes have been mistakenly called yams.  (Yams are often whitish to purplish color, depending on the variety.  They have a distinct earthy taste, hardy texture and are hardly sweet.)
There are many varieties of sweet potatoes with flesh ranging from white, yellow, orange and purple.  Even the shapes and sizes range from being short and blocky to long and thin.

Nutritional Benefits

Sweet potatoes, especially the deeper-colored ones, are extremely rich in carotenes (precursor of vitamin A).  They are also an excellent source of vitamins C, B2, B6, E and biotin (B7).

In the minerals department, they provide good amounts of manganese, folate (folic acid), copper and iron.  It also has pantothenic acid and is rich in dietary fiber.

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Health Benefits

Sweet potatoes are excellent sources of plant proteins with very low calories.  Unlike other starchy root vegetables, it is very low in sugar, and in fact is a good blood sugar regulator.

As an anti-oxidant:  Sweet potatoes have been found to contain a high amount of anti-oxidant, making it suitable in combating inflammatory problems like asthma, arthritis, gout, etc.

Diabetes:  This fibrous root is suitable for diabetics' consumption as it is a very good blood sugar regulator, helps to stabilize and lower insulin resistance.

Digestive tract, healthy:  The significant amount of dietary fiber, especially when eaten with the skin, helps to promote a healthy digestive tract, relieving constipation and also helps prevent colon cancer.

Emphysema:  Smokers and people who inhale second-hand smoke should regularly consume foods high in vitamin A as smoke has been found to induce vitamin A deficiency, causing a host of other health problems to the lungs.

Fetal Development:  The high folate content is important and necessary for healthy fetal cell and tissue development.

Immune System:  Regular consumption of sweet potatoes strengthens the body's immune system and develop resistance to infection.

Heart diseases:  Consumption of this high potassium root helps to prevent heart attack and stroke. It helps maintain fluid and electrolyte balance in the body cells, as well as normal heart function and blood pressure.

Muscle Cramps: A deficiency in potassium can cause muscular cramps and greater susceptibility to injury. Make sweet potatoes a regular part of your diet if you exercise a lot, both for an energy boost and to prevent cramps and injuries.

Stress: When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, causing the body potassium levels to be reduced. By snacking on the potassium-packed sweet potato, it helps to rebalance the vital mineral, and helps normalize the heartbeat. This in turn sends oxygen to the brain and regulates the body's water balance.

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Consumption Tips

When buying sweet potatoes, go for the darker variety if available.  The darker it is the higher the carotene content.

Choose sweet potatoes that are firm and not wrinkled.  Avoid those that has a green discoloration that indicates the presence of a toxic substance called solanine.

Store sweet potatoes in the open, in a cool, dark and well-ventilated place, not wrapped up in plastic bags, and not in the refrigerator.  They can keep up to ten days.

You can prepare sweet potatoes in ways similar to preparing potatoes.  The skin contains the most nutrition so try not to peel off the skin. Give it a good scrub with a vegetable brush. Try steaming it, cool it, and run it through your food processor to make a nutritious smoothie, mixing with yogurt, honey and flaxseed oil.

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