SWEET POTATO: HIDDEN HEALTH BENEFITS!

SWEET POTATO: HIDDEN HEALTH BENEFITS!

Sweet potatoes are sweet, starchy root vegetables that are grown worldwide.

They come in a variety of sizes and colors including orange, white and purple.

They are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. Not to mention, they provide a number of health benefits and are easy to add to your diet.

Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of antioxidants, beta carotene (Vitamin A precursor), Vitamin C, Potassium, Fibre, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Vitamin B1, Zinc and Phosphorus.

Health Benefits:

Natural compounds called carotenoids give sweet potatoes their rich color. Carotenoids are also antioxidants, which means they have the power to protect your cells from day-to-day damage.

Sweet potatoes earned the name "superfood" because of the amount of nutrients they have. Studies show they may help with:

Cancer. Carotenoids in sweet potatoes might lower your risk for cancer. Purple sweet potatoes are high in another natural compound called anthocyanin that might lower your chances of getting colorectal cancer.

Diabetes. Compounds in sweet potatoes could help control blood sugar. When boiled, sweet potatoes are low on the glycemic index (GI), which means they won't raise your blood sugar as quickly as high-GI foods.

Heart disease. Research shows that sweet potatoes can lower your LDL "bad" cholesterol, which may lower your odds of heart problems.

Supports Healthy Vision:

It reduces the risk macular degeneration. Large amounts of beta-carotene and vitamin A, which are in sweet potatoes, can lower your chances of getting this eye disease, which is the most common cause of vision loss.

Obesity. Purple sweet potatoes may help lower inflammation in your body and keep fat cells from growing, which may help you lose weight.

Help for good digestion: Sweet potatoes are rich in dietary fibers and are also known for improving gut health and digestion.

Sweet potato contains Resistant starch. This is a type of carbohydrate that doesn't get digested in your small intestine. Instead, it ferments in your large intestine and feeds “good” gut bacteria. This can help prevent to Gastrointestinal issues.

Just one sweet potato gives you 102% of the vitamin A you need each day. This helps keep your eyes healthy as well as your immune system, your body's defense against germs. It's also good for your reproductive system and organs like your heart and kidneys.

Best cooking methods for sweet potatoes include boiling,steaming, stewing and roasting.

Avoid frying and grilling as this can increase the glycemic index and thereby raise your blood sugar.

Reach out to your Clinical Dietitian-Nutritionist:🙂

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