8 Mind-blowing Health Benefits Of Sweet Potato

By Shabana

Friday, January 5, 2018, 16:21

The humble sweet potatoes are often shunned for their sweet taste. But these potatoes are way beyond that. They are dirt cheap, easily available and are power-packed with hoards of nutrients which your body will be thankful for.

Sweet potatoes are a tuberous root vegetable which are native to Central America. They are healthier than regular potatoes.

Sweet potatoes are loaded with beta-carotene, vitamins E, C and B-6, potassium and iron. The biggest advantage they have over regular potatoes is that they have a lower glycaemic index, which makes them diabetic friendly, as recently classified.

Sweet potatoes also have the unique ability to produce sporamins, which reduce the amount of oxidative damage to the internal organs in our body.
Here is a list of other amazing health benefits of sweet potatoes, which will make them be included in your daily diet, from now on.

1) They Are Anti-inflammatory

Sweet potatoes contain anthocyanin, which is known for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties. They reduce inflammation of the organs and prevent damage caused due to it. The amount of fibrinogen present in them also helps in blood clotting.

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2) They Have Lower Glycaemic Index

Sweet potatoes are a boon to the diabetic individuals, as they do not cause extreme blood sugar spike. Though diabetics may be advised to stay away from regular potatoes, sweet potatoes offer a healthy alternative for them.

3) They Protect Against Effects Of Ageing

They are high in carotenoids and beta-carotene, which helps in the manufacture of vitamin A in the body. This strengthens the eyesight and boosts our immune system. They also act as powerful antioxidants that reduce the effect of free radicals in our body, thereby decreasing the signs of ageing.

4) They Are Good For Heart Health

High levels of potassium in the sweet potatoes help in regulating the heart beat. They also improve the muscles and nerve functions of our body. They help relax muscles from strain and help them recover faster from an injury. The magnesium present in them is necessary for healthy arteries and heart muscles.

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5) They Support A Good Immune System

Sweet potatoes are high in iron, an essential mineral for our body. They increase the cell capacity to carry oxygen to different parts of our body. They also help in the production of white blood cells, an essential part of our immune system.

6) They Support Healthy Bones

Being rich in vitamin D, sweet potatoes also promote healthy and strong bones. Our body needs vitamin D to synthesize the calcium it gets from the food. This vitamin D, usually called the sunshine vitamin, is readily available in sweet potatoes.

7) They Are Good For The Winter Season

Sweet potatoes contain vitamin C, which helps the body fight cold and flu, which is common around this time of the year. These veggies are also known to ward off cancer-causing pathogens in our body.

8) They Help Maintain A Good Skin And Hair Health

Certain compounds in sweet potatoes increase the elasticity of the skin and help ward off the signs of ageing. They are also known to improve the skin texture and remove dark spots. Sweet potatoes have been used since ages to increase the thickness of hair and also promote hair growth.