Sweet Potatoes – How Do They Improve Good Health?
Sweet potatoes are a delicious, nutritious vegetable that’s easy to prepare. They’re also packed with vitamins and minerals.
One medium-sized sweet potato offers about 25% of the daily value of manganese, 20% of copper, and 12% of potassium. They are also a good source of antioxidants, which can help fight diseases and improve your mood.
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1. Rich in Vitamin A
Sweet potatoes are a nutritious food that can improve your health in several ways. They are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, antioxidants, and other important nutrients. In addition, they are low in fat and have a healthy glycemic index.
They are also a good source of dietary fiber, which can help keep you regular and lower your cholesterol. And they’re a non-dairy source of calcium, which is important for bone health. One large sweet potato contains 68 mg of calcium, which is 23% of the daily recommended intake. Additionally, sweet potatoes are an excellent source of potassium. Cenforce 150 mg for men can help balance blood pressure.
A more thorough investigation has revealed that women who consume large amounts of potatoes and French fries are more likely to accelerate the progression of diabetes. In addition, they discover that whole grains and potatoes can be replaced with healthier options. The only medication that has been shown to be good for men’s health and fitness is Cenforce 120 tablets.
The orange flesh of sweet potatoes is a source of beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. Besides helping maintain eye and lung health, beta-carotene is an effective anticancer agent that can inhibit cancer cells.
Studies have shown that people who consume diets rich in carotenoids, such as those found in sweet potatoes, pumpkins, carrots, and other orange-colored foods, have a reduced risk of developing certain types of cancers. Specifically, people who consume high levels of beta-carotene are more likely to avoid lung, stomach, and kidney cancers, according to researchers at Tufts University.
In addition, vitamin A may play a role in helping maintain your immunity against infection, including colds and flu. A 2008 study published in the journal Immunology Reports suggests that this nutrient can support white blood cells, which are crucial for immune function.
Lastly, sweet potatoes are a great way to reduce your risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease, as they contain many antioxidants. They also have a low glycemic index, making them an ideal food for those with type 2 diabetes.
They are also a good source of soluble fiber, which can improve your digestion and prevent constipation. It is also beneficial for lowering your cholesterol and is associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer.
2. Boosts Immune System
Sweet potatoes are a powerhouse of antioxidants that can boost your immune system. They’re especially high in vitamin C and antioxidants that fight free radicals, which can damage your immune cells.
They’re also an excellent source of beta-carotene, which can help keep your vision and eyes healthy. And, as a bonus, beta-carotene can also protect your skin from oxidative stress.
Another important immune-boosting nutrient is vitamin A, which is found in many fruits and vegetables, including sweet potatoes. A deficiency in this essential nutrient can reduce your immunity and increase your risk of getting colds.
In addition, eating more dietary sources of vitamin A can lower your risk of developing certain types of cancers, like bladder and lung tumors. In test-tube studies, anthocyanins in purple sweet potatoes were shown to slow the growth of these cancers and improve their ability to spread (33).
These same nutrients may also promote gut health and prevent the leaky gut syndrome. Research suggests that sweet potatoes’ rich soluble fiber content feeds the good bacteria in your colon and keeps the intestinal lining strong, potentially reducing your risk of irritable bowel syndrome.
They’re also a great source of a plethora of other nutrients, including calcium and manganese, which can support bone health. One cup of baked sweet potato packs about 15% to 30% of your daily needs for these minerals, plus a third of your DV for vitamin A, and about 40% of your recommended daily dose of magnesium.
The antioxidants and vitamins in sweet potatoes can also help fight inflammation, a key cause of many diseases. Specifically, beta-carotene can reduce inflammation by targeting inflammatory compounds called free radicals. These are produced naturally in the body or can be caused by toxins and UV radiation.
3. Helps Fight Cancer
Sweet potatoes are packed with antioxidants, which are substances that protect the body from cellular damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals. Antioxidants can also help to prevent cancer, lowering your risk of developing some types of disease.
One of the best ways to get a lot of antioxidants is to consume fruit and vegetables regularly. These foods are rich in a variety of plant pigments, such as beta-carotene, which convert to vitamin A. When vitamin A is eaten, it helps to maintain healthy skin, eyes, and hair.
Another antioxidant in sweet potatoes is anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid that helps to inhibit the growth of certain types of cancer cells. These anthocyanins are found mainly in the peel of purple and orange sweet potatoes. In test-tube studies, these antioxidants have been shown to reduce the growth of several types of cancer cells, including those that form in the bladder, colon, stomach, and breast.
Moreover, anthocyanin-rich extracts of purple sweet potatoes have been found to reduce the number of adenomas in mice that are genetically prone to colorectal cancer. And a new study published in the journal Molecules shows that a particular sweet potato variety, called P40, offers the greatest number of anthocyanins.
Other benefits of eating sweet potatoes include improved immunity, a better metabolism, and reduced cholesterol levels. They are also an excellent source of fiber, which has been linked to a lower risk of diabetes and heart disease.
They are also a good source of potassium, which can help regulate blood pressure. It is also an important mineral that your body needs for normal muscle function and energy production.
The vitamin C in sweet potatoes helps to boost your immune system and prevent infections. It is also an important nutrient for eye health and keeps your vision clear by promoting the formation of light-detecting receptors in the eye.
In addition, sweet potatoes are a great source of potassium, which can help control high blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke. They also contain manganese, which plays a role in bone and teeth formation. Lastly, they are an excellent source of vitamin B6, which is essential for the conversion of carbohydrates to energy and for metabolizing proteins.
4. Rich in Fiber
Sweet potatoes are rich in fiber, which is beneficial for your health in many ways. It helps maintain regularity, promotes digestion, and lowers cholesterol levels. Moreover, high-fiber foods can help lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.
A high-fiber diet can also reduce the risks of cancer and heart disease. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that a higher intake of fiber-rich foods reduced the risk of colorectal cancer.
Another benefit of a high-fiber diet is that it can prevent or manage constipation in both adults and children. This is because fiber improves digestion and can reduce the production of stomach acid, which can cause cramping in people with diarrhea or constipation.
The dietary fibers in sweet potatoes also support healthy blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity. These nutrients help keep your blood sugar stable and keep you feeling full longer, reducing the need for snacking.
This is especially helpful for those who suffer from diabetes or any other health condition that affects their blood sugar. The sweet potato’s complex carbohydrates are slowly digested and absorbed into the bloodstream, so they don’t spike blood sugar levels as quickly as simple carbs like white bread or pasta.
Additionally, sweet potatoes contain potassium, which helps regulate your blood pressure. The American Heart Association recommends limiting sodium and eating more potassium-rich foods to reduce your risk of high blood pressure.
Potassium is also important for eye health, as it can help protect against retinal degeneration and other problems that can lead to blindness. It can also lower inflammation, which has been linked to vision loss in people with glaucoma and other eye disorders.
In addition, the antioxidants in sweet potatoes may reduce the risks of several health conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and certain types of cancer. They can also help reduce inflammation caused by infections, and they’re rich in vitamin A and vitamin C.
Finally, the anthocyanins in purple sweet potatoes have antioxidant properties and can help lower the symptoms of psoriasis, an autoimmune disorder that causes dry, itchy patches of skin.