Sweet potatoes not only taste sweet but they also provide sweet health benefits. They are rich in numerous nutrients such as vitamins A, C, B5, B6 also thiamin, riboflavin, carotenoids and niacin, and they are fat-free and low in sodium too. They contain more sugar then regular white potatoes however they are low-calorie food. The large number of nutrients in sweet potatoes can give you these 15 most prominent health benefits when you eat this plant:
- Regulate blood sugar levels
The natural sugars in sweet potatoes help stabilize and lower the insulin resistance in diabetics which aids the regulation of sugar levels.
- Improve digestion
Sweet potatoes are excellent for the digestive tract due to the high dietary fiber content, and they also provide protection from colon cancer and constipation relief.
- Emphysema prevention
Sweet potatoes help the body to generate vitamin A due to the amounts of this vitamin they contain as well as carotenoids which are excellent for the respiratory system.
- Boost immunity
The health of you thyroid gland, nerves, bones, skin as well as the energy levels will be significantly increased due to the vitamin D that sweet potatoes contain.
- Healthier heart
The potassium which can be found in sweet potatoes is very beneficial for the heart. This vegetable also reduces the risk of strokes, heart attacks and degenerative diseases by keeping blood pressure levels under control and also the electrolyte balance.
- Muscle and tissue health
The potassium also provides relief from bloating and cramps as well as alleviate muscle constriction and regulate nerve signals and heartbeats too.
- Rich in antioxidants
The carotenoids in sweet potatoes including beta-carotene provide protection and treatment for gout, arthritis and asthma and also against breast and lung cancer.
- Anemia treatment
Sweet potatoes are rich in iron which is important if you suffer from anemia since it has a very important role in the process of generation of white and red blood cells.
- Healthy and better looking skin
Washing your face with the water you used to boil sweet potatoes (of course after it cools down) will improve your skin complexion by cleaning the pores and also assisting in collagen generation.
- Relief from PMS
Manganese and iron are very beneficial when it comes to reducing premenstrual symptoms and can get enough of them by eating sweet potatoes.
- Stress relief
Another benefit of the potassium in sweet potatoes is that it normalizes heartbeats, boosts blood circulation as well as regulate the body’s water balance thus reduce stress levels.
- Rich in vitamin C
This vitamin improves the function of the whole body, and eating sweet potatoes will provide you with the necessary amounts or vitamin C since they contain plenty of it.
- Faster hair growth
The beta-carotene in sweet potatoes promotes growth of new hair and also reduces dandruff.
- Excellent for fetal development
Folic acid is very important for pregnant women since it promotes the development of healthy fetal tissue and cells. Sweet potatoes also contain plenty of folic acid.
- Rich in minerals
Potassium, manganese, magnesium, calcium and iron can be all found in sweet potatoes. They are very important for the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins as well as enzymes.
IMPORTANT: You shouldn’t consume sweet potatoes if you had oxalate urinary tract stones at some point in your life.