Sweet Potatoes Benefits You Should Know About:

Sweet potatoes are packed with essential nutrients that deliver a variety of health benefits. Sweet potatoes come in a variety of colors, including white, cream, orange, and purple. Remember that, despite sharing the name “potato”, regular potatoes and sweet potatoes are not actually related.

• Vitamin A is essential for eye health, improving vision and helping to prevent eye disorders. Sweet potatoes are high in beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. Eating sweet potatoes provides a good amount of beta-carotene, benefiting your eyes.

• Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin C, beta-carotene, and anthocyanins, which give them strong antioxidant properties. These nutrients help promote healthy skin.

• Sweet potato is considered a low glycemic index food^*.

• Sweet potatoes are high in fiber, which helps support good bacteria in the gut. This balance is important for reducing the risk of bowel cancer.

• Sweet potatoes are high in fiber, which is great for your digestive system. It helps prevent constipation, promoting regular bowel movements. Eating sweet potatoes regularly can keep your digestion healthy.

• The potassium in sweet potatoes helps control blood pressure, and their fiber can lower cholesterol levels. Together, these benefits promote better heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease.

• The rich vitamin content and other nutrients in sweet potatoes help strengthen the immune system.

MY NOTE FOR YOU

Sweet potatoes are best eaten boiled, as cooking methods like baking or frying can change their glycemic index (GI) and may have negative effects. Even though sweet potatoes are nutritious, the way you prepare them can impact their health benefits. If you choose to eat sweet potatoes in ways other than boiling, do so only occasionally and always aim for the healthier cooking methods.

Don’t overconsume sweet potatoes; include them in your diet 3 to 4 times a week in moderation. You can enjoy them as a snack or incorporate them into your main meals. If you let some sweet potatoes sprout and grow, you can also enjoy their leaves, which are delicious and packed with nutrients, similar to other leafy green vegetables.

*The glycemic index (GI) measures how quickly foods raise blood sugar levels. Foods with a low GI release glucose slowly and steadily, while those with a high GI release glucose quickly.