Sweet potato benefits

When you think of sweet potatoes, you might picture any one of several types. From the sunset-hued garnet to the pleasantly purple Okinawa, this tuber in the morning glory family encompasses hundreds of varieties that differ in color and flavor. (Just don’t confuse them with yams, which have brown, shaggy skin, pale flesh, and a less sweet taste.) With a long history — more than 5,000 years, according to the However you prepare them, you’ll get a tasty, colorful result — and plenty of nutrition as well. Beneath their earthy jackets lie numerous nutrients, including high amounts of 1. Sweet Potatoes Help Stabilize Blood Sugar Sweet potatoes tend to get good press compared to their white potato counterparts — and, for some health issues, the hype may be justified. One such instance: their effects on blood sugar. Sweet potatoes are higher in fiber than white potatoes, which may provide more stability for blood glucose. For reference, a 1-cup serving contains “Even though sweet potatoes are a starchy food, the fiber in them can help slow down the digestion of sugars from the potato, resulting in a steadier rise and fall in blood sugar,” says If you live with diabetes or another health condition that affects blood sugar, sweet potatoes can be a smart choice. “Being mindful of the portion size of either white or sweet potatoes is the most important part of blood sugar management. Stick to a small sweet potato or a cup of cubed, roasted sweet potatoes (or less) at one time,” Lore...

Root vegetables have long been enjoyed as a delicious part of a healthy diet. Defined as an edible plant that grows underground, potatoes, carrots and onions are a few common examples that most are familiar with. However, there are many other types — each with a distinct set of nutrients and health benefits. Here are the 13 healthiest root vegetables to add to your diet. Onions are popular root vegetables, serving as a staple ingredient in many cuisines. They’re high in fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants ( Antioxidants are compounds that can protect your cells against oxidative damage and help prevent disease ( Research shows that eating For instance, one study found that eating 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of raw onions per day significantly reduced blood sugar levels in people with diabetes ( What’s more, other research observed that onions may possess powerful anticancer properties, with observational studies linking a higher intake of this root vegetable to a lower risk of common types of cancer ( Onions work well in a variety of meals and can easily be added to salads, soups, scrambled eggs, casseroles, rice or pasta dishes and many more. Summary Onions are high in antioxidants and may help reduce blood sugar levels and your risk of certain cancers. Share on Pinterest Sweet potatoes are vibrant and delicious root vegetables that are highly nutritious and jam-packed with health benefits. They’re rich in fiber, vitamin C, manganese and vitamin A and a good source of several an...

GMVozd / Getty Images Purple Potato Nutrition Purple potatoes, also known as purple sweet potatoes, have a lot going for them nutritionally. In addition to antioxidants, they are packed with fiber, vitamin C and potassium, which can help with weight loss, immunity and heart health. The nutrition for 1 medium baked purple potato is as follows, per the In some instances, how you cook food can influence its antioxidant levels. In a 2016 study published in Food Chemistry, researchers looked at what this means for purple potatoes specifically. The biggest antioxidant losses came from stir-frying (60%) and baking (22%), whereas microwaving (6%) and boiling (8%) preserved the most nutrients. Interestingly, Cancer-Fighting Cancer is a complicated disease, but antioxidants have some promising research to back up their anti-cancer potential. Purple potatoes are no exception. The type of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds in purple potatoes have been found to stunt cancer cell growth. This is an exciting implication for a few specific types of cancer. A 2015 study in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry found that baked purple potato and purple potato extract slowed down one of the regulators for colon cancer growth (called beta-catenin), and inhibited several of its dangerous byproducts from forming. Some of these same researchers did a similar study, published in 2017, also in Bottom Line Purple potatoes have a slew of health benefits, most of which stem from their hig...

Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet, starchy root vegetables with high nutritional value. Some research suggests that sweet potatoes may help support gut health, vision, immunity, and more. Sweet potatoes come in various colors that reflect their phytochemical composition, which are beneficial plant compounds. Yellow and orange-fleshed sweet potatoes are Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health The concentration and bioavailability of phytochemicals in sweet potatoes are Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health They are highly nutritious Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds. One cup or 200 grams (g) of baked sweet potato with the skin Trusted Source FoodData Central Highly respected food and nutrition database from the United States Department of Agriculture, Energy (calories) 180 kcal Carbohydrates 41.4 g Protein 4.02 g Fat 0.3 g Fiber 6.6 g 39.2 milligrams (mg) Manganese 0.994 mg Vitamin B6 0.572 mg Potassium 950 mg Pantothenic acid 1.768 mg Copper 0.322 mg Niacin 2.98 mg Also, the anthocyanins in purple sweet potatoes may Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Good for gut health The dietary fiber in sweet potatoes Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respec...

Sweet potatoes are nutritious, packing a good amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, and manganese into each serving. They also have anticancer properties and may promote immune function and offer other health benefits. Sweet potatoes are sweet, starchy root vegetables that are grown worldwide ( They come in a variety of sizes and colors — including orange, white, and purple — and are rich in vitamins, minerals, Not to mention, they provide a number of health benefits and are easy to add to your diet. Here are 6 surprising health benefits of sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are a great source of One cup, or 200 grams (g), of baked sweet potato with skin provides ( • Calories: 180 • Carbs: 41 g • Protein: 4 g • Fat: 0.3 g • Fiber: 6.6 g • Vitamin A: 213% of the Daily Value (DV) • Vitamin C: 44% of the DV • Manganese: 43% of the DV • Copper: 36% of the DV • Pantothenic acid: 35% of the DV • Vitamin B6: 34% of the DV • Potassium: 20% of the DV • Niacin: 19% of the DV In addition, sweet potatoes — especially the orange and purple varieties — 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 illnesses like cancer, heart disease, and aging. Therefore, eating summary Sweet potatoes are starchy root vegetables that are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They’re also high in antioxidants that protect your body from free radical damage and c...

You might only eat this veggie at Thanksgiving, but sweet potatoes are full of nutrients that make them worth having all year long. The truth is they're not potatoes. They are naturally sweet roots in the morning glory family. Although Native Americans were growing sweet potatoes when Columbus came to America in 1492, these veggies grew in Peru as early as 750 B.C. There are hundreds of types of sweet potatoes. Some have white or cream-colored flesh. Others are yellow, red, or purple. The "Covington" is the variety you're most likely to find at the store. It has pink skin and bright orange pulp. While yams and sweet potatoes may look alike, a true yam is a tuber vegetable, like a regular potato. Nutrients per Serving One sweet potato has: • Calories: 112 • • Carbohydrates: 26 grams • • Fiber: 3.9 grams Vitamins and Minerals Just one sweet potato gives you 400% of the Sweet potatoes are rich in: • B vitamins • • • Iron • • Phosphorus • • Thiamin • Zinc Natural compounds called carotenoids give sweet potatoes their rich color. Carotenoids are also Health Benefits Sweet potatoes earned the name " Risks and Warnings Sweet potatoes are high in carbohydrates. Some methods of cooking, like baking, roasting, and frying, will raise their glycemic index and cause your blood sugar to spike. If you have Although very rare, some people have a severe How to Prepare It At the store, choose firm, not mushy, sweet potatoes that have even-colored skin. Use a stainless-steel knife to cut the...

The menopause transition can be a difficult time for many women, with a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms. Fortunately, there is a range of natural remedies available to help alleviate some of the undesirable effects. One of these remedies is sweet potatoes, which have been shown to provide a range of benefits to women going through menopause. From helping to regulate hormones to reducing inflammation, sweet potatoes can be a valuable addition to a menopause-management protocol. In this article, we’ll discuss the potential benefits of sweet potatoes for menopausal women, as well as how to incorporate them into your diet. The Hormone Fairy, also known as Cat Caringer, demonstrates how to deal with menopause using her tips. When a woman becomes pregnant, alcohol causes hot flashes and night sweats in her 40s and 50s. V-No Craving Control includes a private session, 4 x MP3s, and an hour of therapy to help reduce cravings for dry Januarys. So I took plant oestrogen, herbs, and wild yam cream to see if they helped me avoid having period bleeds. It was unusual for a bleed to appear 14 days after use; symptoms did not occur immediately. When you use HRT or herbal alternatives, such as plant-based products, bleeding can be avoided. Alcohol can have a negative impact on oestrogen levels because it can result in excessive oestrogen production and detox. You are less likely to convert your potent oestradiol E2 to the less potent form of oestrone E1 as a result of this ac...

Sweet potatoes are typically recognized by their copper-colored skin and vibrant orange flesh, though the hundreds of varieties grown worldwide display colors such as white, cream, yellow, reddish-purple, and deep purple. Although they are often found on holiday tables covered in marshmallows or mixed with added sweeteners, there’s no need! True to their name, sweet potatoes have a naturally sweet flavor, which is further enhanced through cooking methods like roasting. They are also one of the top sources of beta-carotene—a precursor to vitamin A. Unlike a potato (edible tubers of the nightshade family), the sweet “potato” is a large edible root within the morning glory family. They’re also different from yams, which are edible tubers within the lily family and native to Africa and Asia. Chances are the “yams” found in your local supermarket are actually a variety of sweet potato. True yams are distinguishable by their blackish/brown, bark-like skin and white or purple-toned flesh. Source Of • • Vitamin B6 • • • Sweet Potatoes and Health • Sweet potatoes with orange flesh are richest in beta-carotene. Sweet potatoes with purple flesh are richer in anthocyanins. Beta-carotene and anthocyanins are naturally occurring plant “phyto” chemicals that give vegetables their bright colors. These phytochemicals are researched for their potential role in human health and disease prevention. • If swapping sweet potatoes for white potatoes, you’ll still want to go easy on the portions: ...