9 Reasons to Eat Sweet Potatoes

Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes may be one of nature's unsurpassed sources of beta-carotene. Several recent studies have shown the superior ability of sweet potatoes to raise our blood levels of vitamin A. 

Its large, starchy, sweet-tasting, tuberous roots are a root vegetable.

Not only are sweet potatoes readily available, inexpensive, and delicious, there are many other reasons to love these yummy vegetables. Here are 9:

1. They are high in vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 helps reduce the chemical homocysteine in our bodies. Homocysteine has been linked with degenerative diseases, including the prevention of heart attacks.

2. They are a good source of vitamin C. While most people know that vitamin C is important to help ward off cold and flu viruses, few people are aware that this crucial vitamin plays an important role in bone and tooth formation, digestion, and blood cell formation. It helps accelerate wound healing, produces collagen which helps maintain skin’s youthful elasticity, and is essen­tial to helping us cope with stress. It even appears to help protect our body against toxins that may be linked to cancer.

3. They contain Vitamin D which is critical for immune system and overall health at this time of year. Both a vitamin and a hormone, vitamin D is primarily made in our bodies as a result of getting adequate sunlight. You may have heard about seasonal affective disorder (or SAD, as it is also called), which is linked to inadequate sunlight and therefore a vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D plays an important role in our energy levels, moods, and helps to build healthy bones, heart, nerves, skin, and teeth, and it supports the thyroid gland.

4. Sweet potatoes contain iron. Most people are aware that we need the mineral iron to have adequate energy, but iron plays other important roles in our body, including red and white blood cell production, resistance to stress, proper im­mune functioning, and the metabolizing of protein, among other things.

5. Sweet potatoes are a good source of mag­nesium, which is the relaxation and anti-stress mineral. Magnesium is necessary for healthy artery, blood, bone, heart, muscle, and nerve function, yet experts estimate that approximately 80 percent of the popula­tion in North America may be deficient in this important mineral.

6. They are a source of potassium, one of the important electrolytes that help regulate heartbeat and nerve signals. Like the other electrolytes, potassium performs many essential functions, some of which include relaxing muscle contractions, reducing swelling, and protecting and controlling the activity of the kidneys.

7. Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet-tasting but their natural sugars are slowly released into the bloodstream, helping to ensure a balanced and regular source of energy, without the blood sugar spikes linked to fatigue and weight gain.

8. Their rich orange color indicates that they are high in carotenoids like beta carotene and other carotenoids, which is the precursor to vitamin A in your body. Carotenoids help strengthen our eyesight and boost our immunity to disease, they are powerful antioxidants that help ward off cancer and protect against the effects of aging. Studies at Harvard University of more than 124,000 people showed a 32 percent reduction in risk of lung cancer in people who consumed a variety of carotenoid-rich foods as part of their regular diet. Another study of women who had completed treatment for early stage breast cancer conducted by researchers at Women’s Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) found that women with the highest blood concentrations of carotenoids had the least likelihood of cancer recurrence.

9. They are versatile. Try them roasted, puréed, steamed, baked, or grilled. You can add them to soups and stews, or grill and place on top of leafy greens for a delicious salad. I enjoy grilling them with onions and red peppers for amazing sandwich or wrap ingredients. Puree them and add to smoothies and baked goods.

Adapted with permission from The Life Force Diet by Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD.

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1. Control your portion size

2. Eat more vegetables and fruits

3. Select whole grains

4. Limit unhealthy fats and cholesterol

5. Choose low-fat protein sources

6. Reduce the sodium in your food

7. Plan ahead: Create daily menus

8. Allow yourself an occasional treat

Know the right quantity of nutrients required by body

It’s well known that iron, vitamins or carbohydrates are nutrients essential to keep our body fit.

But be careful about the quantity, warns an expert.Annapurna Agrawal, nutritionist at Snap Fitness India, recommends a list of nutrients that are required by our body. Focus on the quantity to avoid health problems.

Carbohydrate: Whole grains cereals, legumes, fruits, milk, sugar, honey and potatoes are sources of carbohydrates. Quantity should be 40 percent to 60 percent of your calories requirement. 

It provides energy, and helps in oxidation of fat. Insufficient amount of carbohydrate can cause lack of calories, which can lead to malnutrition. Excessive consumption will make you obese.

Protein: Eat pulses, legumes, nuts, milk and its products, chicken, fish, and egg to give your body much needed protein. According to body weight, consume 0.8 to 1 gm or Kg of protein to help in growth and maintenance of body. 

It gives structure and shape to all the cells, organs and connective tissues. Proteins also help your body fight infection. 

Malnutrition, weight loss, thinning of hair, muscle soreness, weakness and lethargy, are among other things that you will experience if there is less amount of protein present in your body.

Fat: Ghee, butter, cream, cheese, nuts, seed, egg, fish, chicken  and beef are all rich in fat. 15 to 25 percent of calories requirement is the right quantity. 

It provides energy, helps in the absorption of fat soluble vitamins like vitamin A,D,E and K. It is important for the development of brain and central nervous system. 

There will be poor vitamin absorption and depression, if you don’t have fat in your body. Overeating food items rich in fat will lead to obesity, stroke and many more. 

Vitamin A: Sweet potato with peel, carrots, spinach, liver, fish are the sources of this vitamin. 700 to 900 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin A per day strengthen immunity against infection and help in vision. 

Lack of it can cause night blindness and rough skin. Excess of it can affect the bone, which increases the risk of fracture.

Vitamin D: 15 mcgs of vitamin D rich food items like egg yolks, liver help to form and maintain your teeth and bones.

Rickets (long, soft bowed legs), flattening of the back of the skull, osteomalacia (muscle and bone weakness), and osteoporosis (loss of bone mass) are some of the major diseases that one can suffer from, if vitamin D is not taken.

Too much of it leads to slowed mental and physical growth, decreased appetite, nausea and vomiting.

Vitamin E: This acts as an antioxidant and protects vitamins A and C, and red blood cells from destruction. So have 15 mcg of vegetable oil like soybean, corn and cottonseed. Egg yolks also contain vitamin E. 

Vitamin E deficiency is rare. Cases of this vitamin deficiency usually occurs in premature infants.

Vitamin K: All leafy vegetables are said to be good for health. Turnip greens, spinach, cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, canola oil and olive oil are all rich in vitamin K. 

The vitamin is required for proper blood clotting. Just have 120 mcg every day. Haemorrhaging can happen if you don’t include it in your diet. Overindulgence can lead to vomiting.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)- The sources are whole grain, bread and cereals. Non-vegetarians can find this vitamin in liver and eggs. 0.8 to 1 mg per day is sufficient. 

It helps with energy production in your body. Deficiency can cause numbness, tingling and loss of sensation. 

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Dark green vegetables, legumes, whole and enriched grain products, and milk, along with liver, eggs should be eaten. 1.1 to 1.3 mg per day of this vitamin helps to release energy from foods, promotes good vision, and healthy skin.

Cracks at the corners of the mouth, light sensitivity, and a sore, red tongue are the problems you can face if you don’t have vitamin B2. 

Vitamin C: Citrus fruits like orange and lemon, are known for being source of this vitamin. 75 to 90 mg per day is the right quantity required by your body. 

It heals wound, helps in bone and tooth formation, strengthens blood vessel walls, improves immune system function, increases absorption and utilization of iron, and acts as an antioxidant.

If you don’t take vitamin C rich food, you can be a victim of scurvy, causing a loss of collagen strength throughout the body. Loss of collagen results in loose teeth, bleeding and swollen gums, and improper wound healing.

Excess leads to formation of kidney stones and you may even suffer from diarrhoea. 

Iron - Have beans, lentils, beef, eggs to stay away from anaemia, dizziness or fainting.

Men should have 8mg per day. For women 18 mg per day is sufficient.

Calcium: Milk, yoghurt, spinach are rich in calcium. 1000 mg per day of calcium is essential for bone growth and strength, blood clotting, muscle contraction and the transmission of nerve signals.

Absence of calcium can lead to thinning and weakening of bone.