Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes

 There are several health benefits of sweet potatoes over the regular potatoes. Sweet potatoes have been consumed for more than 10,000 years now.Sweet potatoes are most commonly consumed during the annual Thanksgiving feast. But you must include them in your diet round the year because they are extremely healthy. Let us view some of the health benefits of sweet potatoes in detail.
 

Vitamins and Nutrients

Sweet potatoes are rich in several types of different vitamins and nutrients, including vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, iron, dietary fiber, potassium, manganese and copper.

Beta-Carotene

Sweet potatoes have equal portions of beta-carotene (in the form of vitamin A) as present in carrots. Beta-carotene helps you to keep off from a number of diseases including cancer, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease. Sweet potatoes that have darker flesh possess higher percentage of beta-carotene.

Carotenoids

Sweet potatoes are also known to contain carotenoids in the form of beta-carotene. Carotenoids aid in stabilizing blood sugar as well as lowering insulin resistance.

Antioxidants

Sweet potatoes are a rich source of antioxidants which aid in doing away with free radicals from the body, shielding cells from damage and mending damaged cells.

Preparing Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are most nutritious when they are either baked or roasted. When sweet potatoes are boiled, there is an immense loss of the essential vitamins and nutrients. The skins of conventionally grown sweet potatoes must not be eaten as they may include dyes or waxes. Go for organic sweet potatoes if you want to them as a whole. Whatever type the sweet potato may be, you should always scrub clean its skin before cooking.

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