6 Astonishing Sweet Potato Benefits

6 Surprising Sweet Potato Benefits

6 Surprising Sweet Potato Benefits

Updated on 4/18/2024
Natalia MarinBy Natalia Marin
Natalia Marin
Learn More about Natalia Marin

The underground tuber, generally known as the sweet potato, originates from the Ipomoea batatas plant, and this plant is also known as the batatas sweet potato benefits.

It has been demonstrated to significantly increase the amount of vitamin A that is present in the blood of children, in particular, and it contains a high concentration of a powerful antioxidant known as beta-carotene. In addition, it has been shown to significantly raise the amount of vitamin A in adults' blood.

Not only are sweet potatoes delicious, but they also provide several health benefits, such as a nutrient-rich profile, a high fiber content, and the ability to satiate hunger more effectively than other foods. Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6. After being prepared in various ways, such as by boiling, baking, steaming, or frying, they are ready to be consumed. Some of these methods include.

The color orange is the most common variety of sweet potatoes, but you can find them in various hues. However, they can also be white, red, pink, violet, yellow, or even purple. Other possible colors include yellow and violet, and orange is by far the most prevalent hue in the world.

SWEEt potato

SWEEt potato

Yams are a more common name for sweet potatoes in several areas across the United States and Canada. This name is inaccurate according to the scientific community's understanding of the subject matter because yams belong to a different species than potatoes. There is no genetic connection between potatoes and yams.

One might say that regular potatoes and sweet potatoes are only loosely related. You can make this statement without any problem.

If you study this text in its entirety from beginning to end, you will be able to satisfy all of your inquiries and satisfy all of your needs for sweet potatoes.

Nutrition Facts

A list of the essential nutrients that should be present in 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of raw sweet potatoes is shown below: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C,

  • Calories: 86
  • Water: 77%
  • Protein: 1.6 grams
  • Carbs: 20.1 grams
  • Sugar: 4.2 grams
  • Fiber: 3 grams
  • Fat: 0.1 grams

Carbs

sweet potato

sweet potato

It is possible to obtain carbohydrates from a sweet potato of a more respectable size by boiling it and then peeling it. This procedure yields 27 grams of carbohydrates as an end product. Starches make up the vast majority of the components; they account for 53 percent of the overall carbohydrate composition. Additionally, the majority of the members are comprised of starches.

32% of the total carbohydrate content is comprised of several types of simple sugars such as glucose, fructose, sucrose, and maltose. Complex sugars account for the remaining 68 percent of the carbohydrate content in the item.

Because sweet potatoes' glycemic index (GI) can range anywhere from 44 to 96, they are categorized as a food that contains a moderate amount of glucose up to a high amount of glucose due to this range. A measurement used to determine how quickly your blood sugar levels rise after you eat a meal is called the glycemic index (GI), also known simply as the GI.

People with type 2 diabetes should avoid consuming a large number of sweet potatoes all at once because sweet potatoes have a GI on the higher end of the typical range. That is because sweet potatoes have a GI on the higher end of the normal range. Compared to other standard food preparation methods, such as baking, frying, or roasting, the GI values produced by boiling food are noticeably more favorable. That is a fascinating discovery that calls for additional research into the topic.

Starch

SWEEt potato

SWEEt potato

Sometimes, the relative ease with which different kinds of starches are digested will lead to their being placed into one of three distinct groups. The following is a breakdown of the various types of carbohydrates that can be found in sweet potatoes in terms of their respective amounts:

Starch, which is digested very quickly, makes up roughly 80% of the total, and this portion of the substance is completely metabolized. The glycemic index (GI) will rise due to the rapidity with which this carbohydrate will be broken down and absorbed into the bloodstream.

The type of starch digested more slowly accounts for nine percent of the total amount. This specific carbohydrate is broken down more slowly, resulting in an increase in blood sugar levels that is not quite as dramatic as the one that another type of carbohydrate would cause.

Resistant starch (11%). This one is not digested and functions in a manner that is analogous to that of fiber in that it provides food for the bacteria that are healthy for your stomach. Because it is not digested, it acts in a manner that is comparable to that of fiber. If you let the sweet potatoes cool for some time on a cooling rack after cooking them, there is a possibility that the amount of starch in the sweet potatoes that you cannot digest will increase to some degree.

Fiber

sweet potato

sweet potato

When cooked, sweet potatoes retain a fair amount of their original fiber content; for instance, a cooked sweet potato of medium size includes 3.8 grams of its original fiber content. When raw, sweet potatoes have a fiber content on the lower end of the spectrum.

Pectin makes up between 15 to 23 percent of the fibers, with cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin making up 77 to 85 percent of the fibers combined. Pectin is responsible for the fibers' ability to dissolve in water.

Pectin and other soluble fibers can slow down the rate at which sugars and starches are digested in the body. This effect can be pretty beneficial. As a consequence of this, they have the potential to assist you in feeling fuller for more extended periods, in reducing the quantity of food that you consume, and in helping in the maintenance of more stable blood sugar levels.

High consumption of insoluble fibers has been linked to several positive health impacts, including a lower risk of developing diabetes and excellent digestive health. Other potential benefits include a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease. There is also a possible reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease and an improvement in cholesterol levels. Other potential benefits include these.

Protein

Because a medium-sized sweet potato only contains two grams of protein, sweet potatoes are not considered an excellent source of this essential nutrient.

sweet potato

sweet potato

More than 80 percent of the total amount of protein in sweet potatoes is made up of sporamains, unique proteins that can only be found in sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes have the potential to contain spore mines.

The activation of the production of sprains occurs whenever the plant sustains any physical injury, and the primary function of sprains is to speed up the process by which the plant recovers from the damage it has sustained. Recent studies have shown that there is a possibility that they possess antioxidant properties. 

Even though they only have a trace amount of protein, sweet potatoes are an essential source of this macronutrient in many of the world's less-developed nations. That is, even though sweet potatoes contain only a tiny amount of protein. Even though sweet potatoes only have a trace amount of protein, this is still the case.

Summary

The sweet potato's carbohydrate content is responsible for the vast majority of the calorie content found in this vegetable. Starch is the most common and significant source of carbohydrates, and fiber is the source that comes in second place for both prevalence and significance. Even though it only has a moderate amount of protein, this root vegetable is still considered a significant source of protein in many less-developed nations. That is because of its high levels of carbohydrate content, and that is because vegetables can store protein for longer periods than other foods.

Vitamins And Minerals

sweet potato

sweet potato

Sweet potatoes are an excellent option for a healthy food supply as they contain high levels of beta-carotene, vitamin C, and potassium. As a result of these high levels, sweet potatoes are an excellent choice. The following is a list of the vitamins and minerals that are present in this vegetable in the highest concentrations:

  • Pro-vitamin A. Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of the pigment known as beta carotene, which can be converted into vitamin A in your body. Vitamin A is necessary for healthy vision. It only takes 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of this particular vegetable to provide the amount of this vitamin that is suggested to be consumed daily by those in the medical community.
  • Vitamin C. It is possible that this antioxidant will make the flu less severe and will also make the skin healthier overall. It is also possible to shorten the time needed to recover from the common cold.
  • Potassium. The consumption of this mineral, essential to maintaining healthy blood pressure, has been shown to lessen the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease.
  • Manganese. This trace mineral is essential to the growth and development processes and metabolism for all of these functions to be carried out correctly.
  • Vitamin B6. This vitamin contributes in a significant way to the metabolic process that is responsible for converting the energy that is obtained from food into something that you can use. It does so in a constructive manner.
sweet potato

sweet potato

  • Vitamin B5. This vitamin, also known as pantothenic acid, may be found in almost all those foods in some form or another and is present in some quantity in nearly all of the foods that we eat, including some form of pantothenic acid.
  • Vitamin E. Using this potent fat-soluble antioxidant, which can assist in protecting your body from the effects of oxidative stress, may benefit your body.

Summary

Sweet potatoes are an excellent option for a healthy food supply as they contain high levels of beta-carotene, vitamin C, and potassium. As a result of these high levels, sweet potatoes are an excellent choice. In addition to this, they are a good source of a diverse range of additional vitamin and mineral compounds.

Plants Contain Various Additional Chemical Components, Some Of Which Can Be Isolated.

In the same way as other foods composed entirely of plants, sweet potatoes contain a variety of plant compounds, some of which may affect the health of the individual eating them. I'll illustrate my point with a few examples, which are as follows:

sweet potato

sweet potato

Beta carotene. One of the many different types of the antioxidant carotenoid, which the body can convert into vitamin A. One way to increase the amount of this molecule that the body can absorb from the meal is to increase the total quantity of fat contained within the feed.

Chlorogenic acid. Polyphenol is an antioxidant derived from sweet potatoes, found in the highest concentration, and sweet potatoes are source of this polyphenol.

Anthocyanins. The pigments known as anthocyanins, which give purple sweet potatoes their distinctive hue, can be found in relatively high quantities in the vegetables mentioned above. It is impossible to overstate the antioxidant capacity that anthocyanins possess.

It is essential to be aware that the amount of antioxidant power that sweet potatoes hold is directly proportional to the degree of coloration inside the flesh of sweet potatoes. Dark-colored sweet potato cultivars, such as crimson, deep orange, and purple, are regarded as some of the most desirable varieties.

Cooking sweet potatoes increases the quantities of certain antioxidants and vitamin C absorbed by the body. However, the levels of other plant compounds may experience a slight decrease as a result of the cooking process.

Summary

There are many plant components, and sweet potatoes are an excellent supplier. This category includes various chemicals, some examples of which are anthocyanins, beta-carotene, and chlorogenic acid.

Sweet Potatoes Vs. Regular Potatoes

sweet potato

sweet potato

As a result of the widespread belief that sweet potatoes provide an alternative that is more nutritious than regular potatoes, an increasing number of people are switching out the latter for the former when it comes to food preparation. 

The amounts of water, carbohydrates, fatty acids, and protein found in the bodies of people belonging to either of these two species are, on average, very similar.

Not only do sweet potatoes have the ability to have a lower glycemic index than regular potatoes, but they also have the potential to have a significantly higher sugar and fiber content. That is because sweet potatoes are more densely packed with sugar and fiber.

However, sweet potatoes also contain a considerable number of beta carotene, which, when consumed by the body, has the potential to be transformed into vitamin A. Although all of these foods are rich in vitamin C and potassium, sweet potatoes have exceptionally high concentrations of the former nutrient.

There's a chance that regular potatoes are more filling, but there's also a chance that they contain glycoalkaloids, which are substances that, in large quantities, have the potential to be dangerous.

As a result of the increased amounts of fiber and vitamin content, sweet potatoes are sometimes considered an alternative to white potatoes that is more nutrient-dense than the latter. That is because sweet potatoes have a lower glycemic index than regular potatoes.

sweet potato

sweet potato

Summary

Some evidence suggests that sweet potatoes have higher favorable impacts on one's health than regular potatoes. They have a lower glycemic index, a more fantastic fiber content, and significant levels of beta-carotene in their systems. Additionally, they have a higher beta-carotene content in their bodies.

Consuming sweet potatoes can help enhance one's health in several significant ways.

Health Benefits Of Sweet Potatoes

You Can Avoid A Deficit By Utilizing This Strategy As A Preventative Measure For A Vitamin.

Vitamin A is a vital nutrient, but a considerable portion of the population in many developing countries does not get enough of it, which has a detrimental effect on their overall health. That is a result of the fact that vitamin A is an essential component in the process of your body carrying out its functions.

If therapy is not administered, a deficiency can cause damage to the eyes that are either temporary or permanent. In the most severe instances, it can even lead to blindness. Additionally, it can potentially hinder the operation of the immune system and heighten the risk of mortality, particularly among younger individuals and women who are either pregnant or breastfeeding. That is particularly true for younger people, which is incredibly accurate when referring to younger children.

sweet potato

sweet potato

A living human body can transform beta-carotene, a type of carotenoid, into vitamin A. This process takes place naturally. There is a possibility that sweet potatoes have an abundant amount of beta-carotene, a nutrient readily absorbed.

The amount of beta carotene found in a sweet potato is directly related to the intensity of the yellow or orange color in the sweet potato.

It has been established that orange sweet potatoes have a form of beta carotene that is easier for the body to absorb than other varieties of beta carotene. They can increase the amount of vitamin A found in the blood more effectively than different kinds of beta-carotene. 

Consuming sweet potatoes is an effective strategy for lowering vitamin A deficiency in underdeveloped nations due to the reasons you discussed above as to why this is an excellent method.

Enhanced Capability To Control The Amount Of Sugar That Is Usually Found In The Blood

One of the most distinguishing characteristics of type 2 diabetes is that an abnormality characterizes it in insulin production and an imbalance in the amounts of sugar already in the blood.

If a person with type 2 diabetes eats caiapo sweet potatoes, which have white skin and flesh, they may see a reduction in the symptoms they usually experience.

sweet potato

sweet potato

Consuming this sweet potato may boost insulin sensitivity, lowering levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and levels of fasting blood glucose. That is a potential outcome.

On the other hand, the data that are now accessible do not provide credence to the idea that sweet potatoes can be utilized as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. There is a need for additional studies with actual people to be carried out.

The Risk Of Developing Cancer As Well As Oxidative Damage Are Both Decreased.

Damage done to cells due to oxidative stress is typically linked to an increased risk of developing cancer, which the uncontrolled division of cells can identify.

There is a correlation between eating foods high in antioxidants, such as carotenoids and having a lower chance of developing breast, kidney, and stomach cancers. That is because antioxidants prevent the formation of malignant cells, which is how they work.

A number of studies suggest that the powerful antioxidants found in sweet potatoes may assist in lowering the likelihood that an individual will get cancer. The antioxidant activity of purple potatoes is substantially higher than that of white potatoes, and purple potatoes have a higher concentration of anthocyanins.

sweet potato

sweet potato

Summary

Some evidence suggests that eating sweet potatoes can bring health benefits, including more effective management of blood sugar levels and less oxidative damage. These health benefits can be attributed to the sweet potato's antioxidant properties. 

Aspects Of The Situation Might Not Turn Out The Way You Planned.

The overwhelming majority of people have no problem acknowledging sweet potatoes as a suitable option for their diet.

On the other hand, they include a very high concentration of a chemical group known as oxalates, which is associated with an increased risk of kidney stones. Oxalates are found in many different types of foods, and Oxalates are present in a wide variety of vegetables and fruits, such as spinach, kale, and beets, amongst others.

Those with a greater risk of developing kidney stones should undoubtedly reduce the number of sweet potatoes they consume regularly.

sweet potato

sweet potato

Summary

However, because sweet potatoes have a significant amount of oxalate, eating them often may increase the likelihood that you will get kidney stones. However, eating them may increase your risk of kidney stones due to the high oxalate level of sweet potatoes. It is widely acknowledged that sweet potatoes do not offer any health dangers; however, consuming them may increase your risk due to their high oxalate content.

The Bottom Line

Sweet potatoes are tubers that grow underground and are an excellent source of the antioxidant beta carotene, in addition to a wide variety of other vitamins, minerals, and plant-based compounds. You can find sweet potatoes in various colors, including yellow, orange, and red. There is a rainbow of colors to choose from when purchasing sweet potatoes, including yellow, orange, and even red.

This root vegetable may give many health benefits, including enhanced regulation of blood sugar levels and elevated vitamin A concentrations, as well as other potential advantages.

Sweet potato benefits are a healthy addition to any diet because of their low cost, the ease with which they may be prepared, and the number of beneficial elements they contain. You can find sweet potatoes in almost any grocery store.