Health benefits of Sweet Potato

Sweet potato is a low-calories and fat free vegetable with an abundance of healthy minerals such as beta-carotene, Vitamin A, C and E, magnesium, potassium and rich in antioxidants.

These nutrients and minerals help to protect against heart attack and stroke, reducing blood pressure and maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance in the body cells. Studies on animals have also shown that diabetics would benefit from a diet which includes sweet potatoes as they help to stabilise blood sugar levels and to lower insulin resistance. Taking into consideration of fibre content, complex carbohydrates, protein, vitamins A and C, iron, and calcium plus the other aforementioned minerals, the sweet potato is ranked highest in nutritional value amongst other vegetables.

Other reported health benefits of sweet potato include:

• Relieving the symptoms of stomach ulcers and inflamed conditions of the colon
• Haemorrhoids (piles)
• Cancer prevention in glands and organs with epithelial tissue

Nutritive Values of sweet potato (per 100 gm) are:

• Vitamin A : 7,700 I.U.
• Vitamin B : Thiamine .09 mg.;
• Riboflavin : .05 mg.
• Niacin : .6 mg.
• Vitamin C : 22 mg.
• Calcium : 30 mg.
• Iron : .7 mg.
• Phosphorus : 49 mg.
• Potassium : 300 mg.
• Fat : .7 gm.
• Carbohydrates : 27.9 gm. Protein : 1.8 gm.
• Calories : 123

Sweet potatoes are available in many forms and varieties but none of them tend to store well. They should be stored in cool, dark and dry places out of direct sunlight.