6 surprising health benefits of sweet potatoes that not everyone knows
Sweet potatoes are sweet, starchy root vegetables grown all over the world. They offer a variety of health benefits and are easy to add to your diet. Here are 6 surprising health benefits of sweet potatoes, as reported by Healthline.
1. Rich in nutritious vitamins and minerals
Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamins and minerals.
200 grams of baked sweet potato with skin provides: Calories: 180; protein: 4 grams; fat: 0.3 grams; fiber: 6.6 grams; vitamin A: 769% of the daily requirement; vitamin C: 65% of the daily requirement…
Additionally, orange and purple varieties of sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants that protect your body from free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage DNA and trigger inflammation. Free radical damage has been linked to chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and aging. Therefore, eating foods rich in antioxidants is good for your health.
2. Improve gut health
The fiber and antioxidants in sweet potatoes are beneficial for gut health. Sweet potatoes contain two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Some types of soluble fiber—called viscous fiber—absorb water and soften your stool.
Diets high in fiber containing 20-33 grams per day reduce the risk of colon cancer. Studies have found that the antioxidants in purple sweet potatoes promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria.
High amounts of these bacteria in the gut promote better gut health and reduce the risk of conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and infectious diarrhea.
3. Has anti-cancer properties
Sweet potatoes provide various antioxidants, which may help protect against certain types of cancer.
Anthocyanins — a group of antioxidants found in purple sweet potatoes — have been found to slow the growth of several types of cancer cells in test-tube studies, including bladder, colon, stomach and breast.
4. Vision support
Sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene, an antioxidant. In fact, 200 grams of baked orange sweet potatoes with the skin provide more than seven times the amount of beta-carotene the average adult needs each day. It is converted to vitamin A in your body and is used to form the light-detecting receptors inside your eyes.
Severe vitamin A deficiency is a concern in developing countries and can lead to a special type of blindness called xerophthalmia. Eating foods rich in beta-carotene, such as sweet potatoes, can help prevent this condition.
5. Enhance brain function
Consuming anthocyanin-rich sweet potatoes may improve brain function, learning ability and memory.
No studies have been done to test these effects in humans, but in general, diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and antioxidants have been linked to a 13% lower risk of mental decline and dementia.
6. Supports the immune system
Beta-carotene found in sweet potatoes is a plant-based compound that is converted into vitamin A in your body.
Your gut is where your body comes into contact with many potential disease-causing pathogens. Therefore, a healthy gut is an important part of a healthy immune system.
It is key to maintaining healthy mucous membranes, especially in the lining of your gut.
