body in many ways. When it comes to sweet potato health benefits, you can get enough fiber and other vital nutrients. It is a very filling food but low in calories and sugar. Therefore, it is a good choice for those who want to lose weight.
Moreover, one can choose to boil, fry, bake, or steam. Whatever way you want, sweet potatoes can satisfy your needs for sweet food. Also, it comes in different colors. Hence, these colors are the reason why it is very nutritious. The following are the benefits of adding it to your diet.
1. A very Nutritious Food
Sweet potato health benefits come from its fiber, minerals, and vitamins that are good for the skin to the inside of the body. Hence, a cup of it can offer 180 calories and very low in fat. Also, it is high in vitamin A, C, B6, and other nutrients. You may want to choose the orange and purple one as it has more antioxidants than other types.
2. It is good for the Gut
All of these nutrients can help in having a healthy gut. Hence, sweet potato both has soluble and insoluble fiber that is very important in normal digestion. Likewise, they are not digested in the body. Therefore, it will stay longer inside, and it is good. Adding some of it to the diet can help soften the stool and give some bulk to it.
Moreover, it can help the growth of more good bacteria inside the gut. One can stay away from the digestive problem by eating more sweet potatoes.
3. Decrease Risk of Cancer
The health benefits of potatoes can help people with a family history of cancer. Hence, having a family member with cancer makes you at risk of developing one. Therefore, antioxidants in sweet potatoes are great in decreasing the growth of cancer cells. For instance, the purple one is very rich in this nutrient. Studies in mice show that it slows down the growth of cancer cells of the breast, stomach, and bladder. However, it needs more studies in humans to prove it.
4. Good for Eye Health
Elders can reap the health benefits of potatoes by having a clearer vision. The beta carotene in it is good for better eye health. Likewise, this nutrient can improve the ability of the eye to catch more light. Therefore, it can result in better vision, especially to elders. However, some countries have higher cases of vitamin A deficiency. This problem can lead to blindness.
5. Brain Health
The purple one is better for a healthy brain. The nutrient in purple potato increases the protection of the brain against swelling. Also, it stops the damages from free radicals that can lead to memory loss. However, studies are more focused on mice, but not in humans. However, a diet rich in purple potato and other types is still good for the body.
6. Help Boost Immune System
Vitamin A is very important for us to stay away from sickness. Hence, you will find it in orange sweet potatoes. It can make the gut healthy and stronger to fight bad bacteria. Gut health is essential for the immune system. Therefore, eating orange can give protection to your stomach.
7. Easily Added to Diet
The good thing about the health benefits of potatoes is that you can easily eat them anytime and anywhere. Therefore, you will get its nutrient without the need for longer preparation. That is why it is the choices of people who do not have time to prepare for a healthy breakfast.
Furthermore, it is a healthier choice than sweet food like cake and cookies. If you feel the need to eat sweet, then you can choose to eat potatoes instead. You may include it in your salad together with some good-fat like avocado, olive oil, or coconut oil. Vitamin A is easily absorbed inside the body with the help of some fat.
Cooking can destroy some of its nutrients, but more of it remains. So, boiling, baking, and steaming still make it a healthy food choice.
