The Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are inexpensive, delicious, and nutritious; so why aren’t we eating more of them? Keep reading for four very convincing reasons why we should all have a little more sweet potato on our plates.
They help to ward of cold, flu, and disease.
Sweet potatoes contain vitamin C, which helps the body fight those nasty viruses that leave us congested and bed-ridden. Vitamin C also performs a few other stellar tasks when we have enough of it, including helping us cope with stress, increasing the production of collagen which improves skin elasticity, and facilitating cell formation and regeneration.
They are good for our skin, bones, and teeth.
Sweet potatoes also contain the next letter in the vitamin alphabet: vitamin D, the sunlight vitamin. Much like actual sunshine, we just can’t seem to get enough of it. Vitamin D is integral to the regulation of calcium and phosphorus absorption in our bodies, as well as the maintenance of healthy bones, skin, and teeth. Having sufficient vitamin D levels has also been linked to mood improvement, increased energy, and healthy nerve, heart, and thyroid functions.
They are good for the heart.
Sweet potatoes are high in vitamin B6, magnesium, and potassium; which can all play a role in having a healthy heart. Vitamin B6 has also been linked with lowering the risk of degenerative diseases, including heart attacks. Magnesium, in addition to being a major player in reducing stress and encouraging good sleep, is also necessary for the maintenance of healthy nerve, artery, muscle, blood, and heart function. Last but not least, potassium, an essential electrolyte, does wonders for the nervous system, keeping our nerve signals and heartbeat regular.
They are delicious!
If the aforementioned three reasons don’t quite sell you on sweet potatoes, hopefully this last one will. Whether you eat them roasted, steamed, pureed, grilled, or in fry-form, sweet potatoes are sweet tasting without being unhealthy. This is due to the slow release properties of their natural sugars, which will give you lasting energy, rather than a short and intense sugar buzz and subsequent crash.
