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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.
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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.
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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 colour 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.2 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.
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9. There 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. |