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Imagine a food that can multitask for you, it can help you lose weight, boost your immunity and also fight cancer cells. Sounds like a superfood right? We’re talking about nature’s candy, the humble sweet potato; an unsung superfood. Sweet potato, an orange root vegetable that is packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, offers amazing health benefits with a delicious taste. This sweet root is special for many reasons.
Let us explore the world of sweet potatoes, life-saving sweet potato nutrition and amazing sweet potato benefits for your health.
Sweet Potato Nutrition Facts
Sweet potatoes are sweet and starchy, which makes them very filling as a food. Sweet potatoes are known as a superfood because of the amount of nutrients they contain. The table below presents the nutritional value of sweet potato per 100 gms and a comparison of sweet potato vs regular potato
| Nutrients | Sweet Potato | Regular Potato |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 86 | 77 |
| Water | 77% | 80% |
| Protein | 1.6 gm | 2.1 gm |
| Fat | 0.1 gm | 0.09 gm |
| Carbohydrates | 20.1 gm | 17.5 gm |
| Fibre | 3 gm | 2.1 gm |
| Sugar | 4.2 gm | 0.8 gm |
10 Reasons Why Sweet Potato is a Superfood
Sweet potato is the most versatile and nutrient-dense root vegetable. Below are the reasons why sweet potato is good for your health:
Good for Gut Health
Sweet potato as a source of fibre, provides 15% of the daily value of fibre intake. They contain both soluble and insoluble fibres that help in digestion and also prevent constipation. The antioxidants present in sweet potato for improving digestion are also good for reducing the risk of diabetes and colon cancer.
Stabilises Blood Sugar
Sweet potato for diabetes patients’ are highly recommended as it does not cause any spike in blood sugar levels. Sweet potato is a complex carbohydrate and has a low glycemic index. It takes longer to digest compared to simple carbohydrates, therefore it does not cause blood sugar spikes and helps maintain a steady level of energy. Slower digestion results in a feeling of fullness for a longer period. Hence dieticians recommend a moderate quantity of sweet potato for controlling blood sugar levels.
Reduces Inflammation
Sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants like vitamin C, carotenoids, and phenylpropanoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties and protect against inflammatory conditions like arthritis. The antioxidants in the purple variety of sweet potato also lower the risk of cancer.
Good for Vision
Sweet potatoes contain polyphenolic compounds that are good for eye and retinal health. They also contain beta-carotene which is converted into vitamin A and thus prevents vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A is necessary for night vision and helps your eyes to adjust to darkness. Beta-carotene also prevents macular degeneration which is the leading cause of vision loss.
Boosts Immunity
Vitamin A in sweet potatoes not only keeps your vision healthy but also boosts your immune system. A single sweet potato provides 102% of your body’s vitamin A requirement. Sweet potato also maintains the lining of your gut, which prevents harmful pathogens from entering the gut, thus keeping your immune system healthy. Eating sweet potato for boosting immune system is recommended.
Improves Brain Function
One of the health benefits of sweet potato is that it is good for your brain function. Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin B6, which synthesises serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood. They also contain anthocyanin, which helps in improving memory.
Helps in Weight Loss
With their high fibre content, low glycemic index and slow digestion it is good to eat sweet potato for weight loss. Keeping you feeling full for a long period is how sweet potato helps in weight loss. However, it's important to know the best ways to eat sweet potatoes to get the most of its benefit. Look for some delicious sweet potato recipes for weight loss – you can easily find them online!
Keeps Your Heart Healthy
Sweet potatoes are good for heart health because they are rich in potassium. Potassium is known to lower blood pressure by managing sodium levels and also lower your bad cholesterol. Thus, eating sweet potato for heart health benefits you by reducing the risk of heart disease.
Good for Skin and Hair
Sweet potato benefits for skin and hair are many. They are rich in vitamin C, which boosts collagen production preventing premature ageing and keeps your skin glowing. Vitamin A in sweet potatoes helps in reducing hair fall, controlling dandruff and also protects from sun damage.
Nutritious Food for Pregnancy
Sweet potatoes are also recommended for pregnant ladies. They are rich in nutrients making them good for the growth and development of the baby. It is safe to eat sweet potato in pregnancy 3rd trimester also because they contain beta-carotene, which is essential for foetal development.
In Conclusion
It is hence proved that sweet potatoes are a nutrition powerhouse that can transform your health. Including this superfood in your diet protects you against many diseases; however, remember that it should be consumed in moderation because of high sugar and high carbohydrate content.
In addition to nourishing your body with a sweet potato healthy diet, it is also crucial to secure your well-being with a robust health insurance plan. Ensure your future is protected against medical emergencies by exploring various Care Health Insurance comprehensive plans. Don't wait, visit our website today!
>> Also Read: Superfoods: A Perfect Blend of Health & Taste
Disclaimers: The above information is for reference purposes only. Kindly consult your general physician for verified medical advice. The health insurance benefits are subject to policy terms and conditions. Refer to your policy documents for more information.
