Nutrition: Here are some health benefits of taking sweet potatoes

Sweet potato is considered a very interesting nutritive food because it is rich in complex carbohydrates, but as a tubercle, contains high amounts of health-promoting secondary metabolites.

Imagine a food that can multitask for you. It can make you lose weight, boost your immunity and also fight cancer cell. Sounds like a superfood right? We are talking about the nature candy, the humble sweet potatoes.

Sweet potatoes are a healthy root vegetable chock full of antioxidants that protect your cells from damage. Additionally, the nutrients in sweet potatoes are excellent for your gut, eyes, immune system, and more.

Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and zinc. Here are 5 health benefits of eating sweat potatoes.

1. Preventing premature aging

Sweet potatoes, especially the orange ones, have excellent amounts of beta-carotene, which are converted in the body into vitamin A. Furthermore, as they are rich in vitamin C (a powerful antioxidant that protects the body’s cells against inflammation and free radicals), sweet potatoes can promote firmer, wrinkle-free skin.

2. Maintaining gut health

Because it is rich in soluble and insoluble fiber, especially when cooked with the skin, sweet potatoes help to add bulk to the stool and can stimulate bowel movements, combating constipation.

Furthermore, sweet potatoes function as a natural prebiotic, as they are a source of food for the beneficial bacteria in the intestine. This helps to keep intestinal flora within normal levels, which can treat and prevent constipation.

3. Promoting weight loss

Sweet potatoes can help with weight loss, as they are high in fiber, which increases the time it takes for food to digest. Food remains in the stomach for longer, keeping you fuller for longer and reducing overeating.

4. Preventing heart disease

Sweet potatoes, especially purple ones, are rich in anthocyanins, a type of antioxidant that improves blood vessel functioning. These can reduce the formation of fatty plaques in arteries and reduce “bad” cholesterol levels in the blood, preventing diseases such as stroke, heart attack and atherosclerosis.

Furthermore, because of their high potassium levels, sweet potatoes also help eliminate excess sodium from the body through urine, preventing high blood pressure.

5. Strengthening the immune system

Because it contains high amounts of vitamin C, beta-carotene and anthocyanins, sweet potatoes have excellent antioxidant action in the body. This can boost immunity and prevent diseases such as flu and colds, in addition to promote wound healing.