Five Essential Benefits Of Sweet Potatoes

Sweet poreroes are a delicious treat that has lots of health benefits. Lol!

In certain parts of the world, sweet potatoes are locally known by other names. In New Zealand English, the Māori term kūmara (also spelled kūmera) is commonly used.  In Yoruba Nigeria some call it Kukudukun.
The sweet potato is a dicotyledonous plant that belongs to the family Convolvulaceae. Its large, starchy, sweet-tasting, tuberous roots are a root vegetable. The young leaves and shoots are sometimes eaten as greens. Sweet potatoes come in many shapes and colours and they are widely grown and consumed throughout the world.

1. Sweet potatoes are nutritional food. They are full of essential vitamins and minerals. If you don’t like sweet potatoes, here are top reasons why you should start eating it!

2. Sweet potatoes are high in antioxidants. Sweet potatoes have voluminous potent antioxidants. The anthocyanin in the purple sweet potatoes is one of the best antioxidants that sweet potatoes contain, and the beta carotene in the orange variety is another powerful antioxidant. This ‘Anthocyanin’ protects the body from many diseases. This is one of the undeniable reasons to eat sweet potatoes more often.

3. Sweet potatoes help control blood sugar. Although sweet potatoes contain carbohydrates, they can help manage blood sugar levels. Since sweet potatoes increase blood levels of adiponectin, they are able to modify insulin metabolism that helps control blood sugar levels. Sweet potatoes are also slow the release of glucose into the bloodstream and can help prevent blood sugar spikes through its richness in fiber.

4. Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin C and D. When it comes to vitamin C, we often think of citrus fruits first. However, sweet potatoes are also high in vitamin C. Vitamin D is also essential for your immune system and overall health. It plays a vital role in your energy levels helps improve your mood and build healthy bones. It’s also great for your heart, skin, and teeth. Eating sweet potato more often, can help you avoid a vitamin D deficiency. A medium sweet potato contains about 40 percent of your daily requirement of vitamin C. It helps the body produce collagen that keeps your joints and skin healthy. Plus, it can help you cope with stress better.

5. Sweet potatoes are good for your heart. Sweet potatoes are a beautiful source of potassium and vitamin B6 – two essential nutrients that are good for your heart. Potassium helps prevent high blood pressure and vitamin B6 helps break down homocysteine that can cause the hardening of the arteries and lead to cardiovascular disease. When you consume sweet potatoes, you get both potassium and vitamin B6, which are so essential for your heart.