SWEET POTATO: 5 Facts About Its Consumption

Sweet potatoes are a delicious treat that has lots of health benefits.

The sweet potato is a dicotyledonous plant that belongs to the family Convolvulaceae . It's large, starchy, sweet-tasting, has tuberous roots and is a root vegetable. The young leaves and shoots are sometimes eaten as greens. Sweet potatoes come in many shapes and colors and they are widely grown and consumed around the world.

Sweet potatoes are nutritional powerhouses . They are packed with essential vitamins and minerals. If you don't like sweet potatoes, here are top reasons why you should start eating it!

1. Sweet potatoes are high in antioxidants. Sweet potatoes have voluminous potent antioxidants. The anthocyanin in the purple sweet potatoes is one of the best antioxidants that sweet potatoes contain, and the beta carotene in the orange variety is another powerful antioxidant. This 'Anthocyanin' protects the body from many diseases. This is one of the undeniable reasons to eat sweet potatoes more often.

2. Sweet potatoes help control blood sugar. Although sweet potatoes contain carbohydrates, they can help manage blood sugar levels. Since sweet potatoes increase blood levels of adiponectin, they are able to modify insulin metabolism that helps control blood sugar levels. Sweet potatoes are also  slow the release of glucose into the bloodstream and can help prevent blood sugar spikes through its richness in fiber.

3. Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin C and D. When it comes to vitamin C, we often think of citrus fruits first. However, sweet potatoes are also high in vitamin C. Vitamin D is also essential for your immune system and overall health. It plays a vital role in your energy levels, helps improve your mood and build healthy bones. It also great for your heart, skin, and teeth. Eating sweet potato more often, can help you avoid a vitamin D deficiency. A medium sweet potato contains about 40 percent of your daily requirement of vitamin C. It helps the body produce collagen that keeps your joints and skin healthy. Plus, it can help you cope with stress better.

4. Sweet potatoes are good for your heart. Sweet potatoes are a beautiful source of potassium and vitamin B6 – two essential nutrients that are good for your heart. Potassium helps prevent high blood pressure and vitamin B6 helps break down homocysteine that can cause the hardening of the arteries and lead to cardiovascular disease. When you consume sweet potatoes, you get both potassium and vitamin B6, which are so essential for your heart.ml