We are well versed with this popular proverb, ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’. It’s time that we accept sweet potato as a substitute when too bored with apples. No, literally!
Have you ever imagined this nutrient-rich root vegetable- sweet potato, to turn out to be a hero for our overall health? Here are a few points that will surely increase its fan-base.
Table of Contents
Helps in weight loss
They are often called the fasting food. Dieticians recommend sweet potatoes in the diet for weight loss as they are mainly composed of fiber which is insoluble. As a result, it keeps us feeling full for several hours after its consumption without compromising with the nutrition. Not feeling hungry= no binge eating= no weight gain.
Anti-cancer properties
They contain beta-carotene ( vitamin A) in abundant amount, which is an antioxidant and also vitamin C and Folic Acid. A combination of which could reduce the risk of cancer by almost 50% as they inhibit the cancer cell growth and protects against disruption of DNA.
Boosts Immunity
A high amount of beta-carotene and vitamin C are present in sweet potato. These are essential nutrients which help fight viruses that may attack our body and cause sickness.
Controls Diabetes
These tubers not only taste sweet but also help in controlling the blood sugar level. Diabetic patients can have them without hesitation. However, people with kidney or gall bladder problems should consult with their physician beforehand.
Controls Blood Pressure
Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin B6, magnesium, and potassium which help maintain lower blood pressure. The presence of magnesium also ensures healthy heart, muscles, bones, and arteries.
Good for Vision
Vitamin A promotes improved vision. As said earlier, sweet potatoes carry a lot of it.
Improved skin health
Abundance of so many vitamins as mentioned above and proper blood circulation automatically promotes healthy glowing skin and improved hair growth.
Sweet Potato vs Regular Potato
Both of them are potatoes, very healthy, nutritious and delicious but they aren’t really same. They belong to different families thereby they vary in their properties. So I would deliberately like to do a comparison war between them.
Glycemic Index: Sweet potato has lower glycemic index value than a regular potato. ( sweet potatoes +1)
Edible parts: roots, leaves and even stem shoots of sweet potatoes can be consumed whereas in regular potatoes, you can only have…well…the potatoes.( sweet potatoes +1)
Protein content: When both are medium baked, regular potatoes provides almost twice the proteins as compared to sweet potatoes.( regular potatoes +1)
Vitamin A and carbs: Regular potatoes have 0% Vit A and higher carbs whereas sweet potatoes have a blast of Vit A, more than 400%, and lower carbs. (sweet potatoes +2)
Mineral content: Regular potatoes have higher overall mineral content than the sweet potatoes. ( regular potato +1)
Availability in market and cost: Although more variety of sweet potatoes are grown all over the world, in India, it is not easily available when compared to regular potatoes. Personally observed, regular potatoes are just everywhere! But that is not the case with sweet potatoes. Also, the cost of sweet potatoes is much higher. (regular potato +2)
So we have a tie out here which means you can enjoy both of them in your balanced diet. None really interfere with your ‘body goals’. It just depends on the way you cook it. You can get the best out them when baked or boiled. Keeping apart the cost and availability, to my opinion, when you get so much of goodness in a single veggie, sweet potatoes are definitely worth it.
The next time you head to the market, do look for sweet potatoes, add them to your regular diet and never see your doctor again!
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5 comments
Wow! Good for diabetic patients? Well then they’re perfect for my dad!
Thanks for such an informative post! :good: :good:
Wow! Sweet potatoes are that nutritious!!
I will try to add it in my diet..
Thanks for sharing such a nice post :rose: :love
And sweet potatoes are super yum
I’ve always avoided it though…thought it makes you put on weight.
That’s a myth Nikhita.They fulfill our energy requirements so they are much required in our diet. It just depends on the way we are cooking them 🙂
SOmehow i just cant get used to the taste of sweet potatoes… its a pity because the health benefits are numerous. :unsure: