Who’s tried a purple sweet potato? Well, this variety of potato may have a similar name and appearance to the white variety, but it belongs to a different botanical family and is much healthier than the standard potato.
The sweet potato is rich in different vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B, C, iron, selenium, and calcium. It’s also a good source of fiber and antioxidants, especially the very-beneficial beta-carotene.
This vegetable is excellent for our health thanks to its incredible nutritional content. Here are a few reasons why everyone should add sweet potatoes to their diet, including those with diabetes.
9 Reasons Why Sweet Potatoes are Beneficial for Our Health
1. Help Manage Type 2 Diabetes
Although more research is needed, scientists believe that adding sweet potatoes (including its leaves) to our diet in moderate amounts can help improve blood glucose regulations.
2. Good for the Vision
The purple sweet potatoes contain anthocyanins – a special group of antioxidants which support the vision, says the Food and Nutrition Research.
3. Promote Digestion
Thanks to their high fiber content, this type of potatoes help promote a healthy digestive system. According to researchers, their high phytosterol content helps to protect the digestive system from gastric and duodenal ulcers.
4. Treat Skin Issues
If we boil sweet potatoes, we can use the water to cleanse our pores, soothe skin irritations, and treat skin impurities.
5. Increase Vitamin A Levels
Sweet potatoes are abundant in beta-carotene. Once we consume them, this antioxidant converts into vitamin A which supports the immune system, vision, and reproduction. Healthline, this vitamin also helps the kidneys, heart, and lungs to function properly.
6. Increase Vitamin C Levels
Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C, which further increases if we cook them.
We may already know that vitamin C is one of the most effective nutrients which protects us against cardiovascular disease, immune system deficiencies, skin wrinkling, eye disease, and prenatal health problems.
7. Improve Potassium Levels
Potassium is another vital mineral found in sweet potatoes. In fact, it’s one of the 7 essential macro-minerals.
It helps lower the risk of stroke, reduces the formation of kidney stones, reduces blood pressure levels, preserves bone mineral density, and protects against loss of muscle mass, explains Medical News Today.
The main function of this mineral is to regulate fluid balance in the body and to control the electrical activity of major muscles such as the heart.
8. Anti-inflammatory
Sweet potatoes contain natural anti-inflammatory compounds which stop inflammation at the cellular level. This is important as low-grade inflammation can increase the risk of many chronic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
9. Regulate Blood Pressure
Thanks to the high amount of potassium, sweet potatoes also help lower blood pressure. That’s because this mineral removes excess fluid and sodium from the body.
