Health benefits of sweet potatoes - Fusion - WeRIndia

Sweet potato is sweeter than normal potato but it has lower glycemic index than it. It is loaded with health benefits. Sweet potato is rich in vitamins A, B, C and minerals like iron, potassium etc. It is a good source of fiber as well.

One cup cooked sweet potato can serve more than 750 per cent of your daily recommended levels of vitamin A as per the U.S. Food and Drug and Administration. In addition to that, it improves your immune system. Here are some of the health benefits of sweet potato.

As sweet potato is rich in vitamin C and beta-carotenes it improves immune system and protects the body from free radicals. Thus it helps in slowing the process of ageing.

Unlike other starchy foods, sweet potato releases sugar slowly into blood as it has low glycemic index. So, it is ideal for diabetics as well to get energy over a long-time. In Japan many people use the extract of sweet potato, the Caiapo, to prevent and treat diabetes.

Sweet potato contains significant amount of potassium which regulates heartbeat. American Heart Association states that sweet potato can help lower high blood pressure and prevents cardio vascular diseases thereby. It also prevents hardening of arteries and blood vessels.

Due to its richness in fiber content, it helps in losing weight. It treats constipation and improves bowel movements.

Sweet potato has potential to heal stomach ulcers as per the study published in the journal of Functional Foods in Health and Science.

It has anti-inflammatory properties. It aids in improving vision due to its efficiency in producing pigments in the retina.

It protects your skin from the sun. The beta-carotene and antioxidants help prevent cancer. It lowers the risk of ovarian and breast cancer.

Do not eat it by frying it which is not recommended by health experts to get the health benefits. You can boil and eat or make a soup with it. Alternatively you can use in curries, sambar (lentil-based vegetable stew) etc.

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