Benefits of Eating Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are nutritious, packing a good amount of vitamin A, vitamin C and manganese. They come in a variety of sizes and colors including orange, white, and purple and are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Sweet potato is a good source of carbohydrates and fiber. There are various possible health benefits of sweet potatoes, such as improving digestion and reducing inflammation.
Eye Health
Sweet potatoes are a good source of provitamin A in the form of beta-carotene. According to the Office of Dietary Supplement, a baked sweet potato in its skin will provide around 1,403 mcg of vitamin A or 561% of a person’s daily requirement. Researchers believe this is partly because the antioxidants counter eye damage from blue or UV light.
Cancer Risk
Beta-carotene is a provitamin. The body converts it into the active form of vitamin A. Antioxidants such as beta-carotene can help prevent cellular damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals. Antioxidants may help reduce the risk of various types of cancer, including prostate and lung cancer.
Reduce Inflammation
A rodent study from 2017 suggests that an extract of purple sweet potato color may help reduce the risk of inflammation and obesity. Sweet potatoes contain choline, a nutrient that helps with muscle movement, learning and memory. It also supports the nervous system.
Gut Health
Fiber is one of the most beneficial nutrients for gut health, and each medium sweet potato contains about 15% of the Daily Value. Sweet potatoes also contain resistant starch, which is fermented in the colon. This fermentation process produces short-chain fatty acids that help support immune health and gastrointestinal health, per a 2022 study in Microorganisms.
Support Immune System
Beta carotene is converted to vitamin A in your body. Vitamin A is critical to a healthy immune system, and low blood levels have been linked to reduced immunity.
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