Too Sweet to be True: 7 Amazing Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes

Over the past few decades, plant-based medicinal research is gaining much attention.

While in recent years, sweet potatoes have become a trending research topic due to their unique nutritional and exceptional health benefits.

Yes, the health benefits of sweet potatoes health benefits range from anti-oxidative to anti-tumor effects.

In this blog post, we will let you know about all the potential health benefits of sweet potatoes.

But first, let’s consider what sweet potato is?

What is sweet potato?

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is an underground tuber and highly delicious root vegetable. 

Sweet potatoes are extensively nutritious with a sweet flavor and creamy texture which seems appealing even to very choosy eaters.

Also, sweet potato is considered the most important and under-exploited food crop after potato, wheat, maize, rice, and cassava. 

Several studies have confirmed sweet potatoes as versatile ingredients in the food industry. Sweet potatoes are commonly used in:

• Baking
• Dehydrating
• Pickled vegetables
• Beverages
• Sugar syrups
• Food additives
• Dairy products

In many countries, the cultivation and production of sweet potatoes are necessary due to their significant health benefits and medicinal properties. 

Besides providing certain health benefits, sweet potatoes provide food security and contribute in times of crisis (such as; wars/natural disasters) to prevent food shortage. 

What are the health benefits of sweet potatoes?

Sweet potatoes are extensively cultivated for their health benefits and nutritious properties. Almost every part (leaf, roots, and stem) of sweet potato has healthcare benefits and vary in nutrients and bioactive composition.

Now, let’s look into the details of sweet potatoes health benefits:

1. Lower risk of diabetes

Sweet potatoes promise highly effective and low-cost anti-diabetes agents. 

Several studies have confirmed its potential role as an anti-diabetic agent. A team of researchers studied and verified the hypoglycemic (lowering blood glucose level) effect of sweet potatoes.

Another study published in the Journal of Food & Junction reported the anti-diabetic effect of sweet potatoes attributed to their bioactive content.

2. Can effectively fight against cancer

Globally cancer is the most prevalent life-threatening disease with a huge mortality rate worldwide. However, sweet potatoes in your diet can reduce the risk of cancer development.

Recently, a team of scientists looked for the anti-breast cancer activity of sweet potatoes. This research indicated sweet potatoes as a novel anti-breast cancer candidate by promoting apoptosis.

Previously, a study published in the Journal of Cancer Prevention examined and confirmed the anti-cancerous effect of anthocyanin extract from sweet potatoes inside the body and in a mouse model.

Related: 7 Ways Eating Natural Foods Benefits Your Health

3. Protect against infections

A recent study from the University of Arkansas investigated the anti-microbial effect of three sweet potatoes cultivators against food-borne pathogens. 

The results confirmed that sweet potatoes are extensively rich in health-promoting, anti-bacterial, and anti-microbial agents that help to fight against microbial infections.

The results of another study, published in the Research Journal of Microbiology concluded a positive link between sweet potatoes and protection against infection due to their anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory effects.

Moreover, sweet potatoes tend to enhance immune functioning against food-borne pathogen diseases and infections.

4. Minimize risk of weight gain

This is the point everyone is interested in i.e. finding ways to reduce the risk of weight gain.

Well, we got you covered!

In a study published in the Journal of Food Biochemistry, researchers found the anti-obesity effects of sweet potatoes. Overall, they reported a strong positive link between intake of sweet potatoes and reduction in fats accumulation.

Therefore, people who are highly anxious about their weight gain should take sweet potatoes as a part of their diet. 

Related: 10 Best Teas to Drink for Weight Loss

5. Have anti-aging effects

Everyone wants to stay young, graceful, and elegant with fresh and glowing skin. 

In other words, aging is a natural phenomenon with increased signs of wrinkles, dark spots, fine lines, etc, however what if you can prevent aging with grace? 

Several studies have investigated the anti-aging effect of sweet potatoes. In a study, researchers identified the anti-aging effect of purple sweet potatoes extracts on C-elegans. 

Results of the study predicted that dietary intake of sweet potatoes positively correlates with increased life span and anti-aging effect.

Therefore, this can be said that sweet potatoes are all one healthcare & esthetic product to make you stay healthy, youthful, and young for a longer time or thought out life. 

6. Provides protection to eye health

Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin A, lutein, vitamin C, and antioxidants that are beneficial for eye health and prevent eyesight loss. 

Recently a report suggested that eating 125 grams of sweet potatoes can reduce the risk of vitamin A deficiency in children and provide protection against night blindness.

7. Promotes healthy gut

According to a study, researchers looked for the impact of dietary intake of sweet potatoes on gut health. 

Results of this research indicated that sweet potatoes lead to improved digestion, absorption, and intestinal health.

Similarly, another study looked for stomach health benefits of sweet potatoes and confirmed that the polyphenol content of sweet potatoes confers positive attributes for the maintenance of gut health.

Sweet potatoes tend to act as a natural medicine for the maintenance of stomach and intestinal health by the presence of nutritious and bioactive compounds in them. 

Takeaway

‘Life is meant to be live best” and it is only possible by staying healthy.

Healthy life depends totally on a nutritious diet that provides all the necessary nutrients and healthcare benefits. 

And sweet potatoes are one of such versatile diets, which we will regard as a complete jackpot-“NUTRITIOUS, HEALTHY, AND YUMMY.”

You can use it for a variety of dishes with sweet and spicy tastes, such as baked sweet potatoes, creamy sweet potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, healthy sweet potato salads, and many more.

Moreover, you cannot deny the “sweet potatoes health benefits” as it gives you a perfectly balanced diet and provides you with all the necessary carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals at the same time.

Therefore, keep using sweet potatoes every day in your diet and live your best life by staying healthy, fresh, and young!