Health benefits of sweet potatoes
Vegetables are a great part of daily meals. They are full of vitamins and useful nutritious elements. Sweet potatoes are among favorite vegetables of Nigerians. That is why we have decided to mention in our post all the impressive health benefits of sweet potatoes.
Different people wonder how well sweet potato and diabetes go together. They also want to explore the real nutritional value of sweet potato along with all the useful food elements that are hidden inside this tasty vegetable.
Nutritional value of sweet potato
What are all impressive values you can find in sweet potatoes? The nutrition list is so interesting:
- Vitamins (B6, B5, A, C, E)
- Co-enzymes (niacin, thiamin, riboflavin)
- Carotenoids
Unlike white potatoes, the sweet sort has no fat in it. However, this vegetable is sweet, there is more sugar, but it has fewer calories.
A medium-size potato (120-130 grams) contains no fat, 23 grams of carbohydrate, 4 grams of fiber, no cholesterol, 7 grams of sugar, 70 milligrams of sodium, 2 grams of protein, 440 milligrams of potassium, a nearly daily dosage of vitamin A and 1/3 of daily dosage of vitamin C.
Sweet potatoes benefits
All the impressive elements make these vegetables valuable for your health. We will list the main advantages you will fall in love with.
1. Blood sugars control
Even though the vegetable contains sugar, it is released into human bloodstream slowly. This is a way to control sugar levels and not get any spikes. The vegetable is a source of energy for the whole day.
2. Healthier heart
Your heart and all the arteries/vessels need vitamin B6. Vegetables that are rich in B6 are amazing, so eating sweet potatoes is a great thing to do. Rich in potassium, this vegetable can become a natural heartbeat regulator.
3. Lovely hair and skin
Most vegetables, including the sweet potato, are good for preserving your beauty and making your skin and hair better. Eat more vegetables and you’ll see how soon your hair will sparkle and look way healthier and your skin will glow and look much healthier as well.
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4. Better immunity
The vitamins C, E and A included in sweet potatoes are great for improving your immunity. The antioxidants and vitamins also lead to amazing anti-inflammatory effect improving your overall health.
5. Anti-carcinogenic effect
It is believed that some sorts of sweet potato boast anti-carcinogenic property. This means the vegetable can low down the possibility of developing cancer. This cannot be guaranteed, however, you will not do harm to your health eating sweet potatoes, for sure.
6. Improved digestion
Containing fiber, some sorts of sweet potatoes can be a good addition to your dietary and meals. Vegetables (mostly, fiber) are good for improving the digestive system.
7. Sweet potato and diabetes
Since this vegetable contains a small glycemic index, it can be taken by people with diabetes. It is believed that such potatoes can improve levels of blood sugar and insulin. Besides, some reports assure that people with both types of diabetes (1 and 2) get a positive effect when eating fiber-rich products such as sweet potatoes. Better sugar levels, insulin level, improved lipids can be possible benefits when you eat foods rich in fiber every day.
Possibility of risks to your health
The impressive nutritional values of sweet potato are impressive, however, you should remember that it is rich in carbohydrates. The vegetable also has a lot of calories and thus it can lead to weight gain and other possible minor health problems.
If too many vitamins A are stored in your body (these potatoes have a lot to offer), you can see how nails and even skin can suddenly turn a bit orange in color. Such side effect can be easily reduced once you stop eating the foods with sweet potatoes in them.
Those people who have kidney issues (such as stones) should eat something else and avoid consuming too much sweet potato meals because such food includes oxalate element that can lead to more stones formation.
As you can see, the amount of vitamins and useful food elements is high in sweet potatoes that is why this vegetable is so impressive. You should add sweet potatoes to your daily menu if you want to improve your eyes, health, achieve anti-aging effect etc. It is better to choose sweet potatoes of purple color, but you can also eat the pink and yellow sorts. However, you always should remember that consuming of any product must have a measure. Also, take into consideration all the possible risks. Your health is your wealth.
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Source: Legit.ng
