Sweet potatoes are delicious root vegetables that can be prepared in many different ways. They're often eaten as a side dish or in desserts, but there's so much more to these tubers than meets the eye. Sweet potatoes contain fiber and carotenoids—both of which are linked to increased immunity and decreased risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. However, there's more research needed before we fully understand how sweet potatoes impact overall health.
Sweet potatoes are a root vegetable
- Sweet potatoes are not potatoes. They're a root vegetable that belongs to the morning glory family, which includes both edible and poisonous plants.
- Sweet potatoes have been cultivated in Central America since at least 5500 BC and were brought over to Europe during Columbus' voyages of discovery.
- They're not yams either! Yams are actually a variety of tropical tuberous roots, while sweet potatoes are really just types of regular ol' North American sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas).
- Sweet potatoes can be orange or yellow in color--and sometimes even purple! It all depends on how much beta carotene is present in your spud; those with higher levels of this antioxidant tend towards brighter shades like reds or oranges whereas those with less will come out more muted tones such as browns/blacks/greys etc...
Sweet potatoes are rich in nutrients
- Fiber. Sweet potatoes are a good source of fiber, which helps keep you feeling full and satisfied.
- Carotenoids. These antioxidant compounds help protect your cells from damage and may reduce the risk of certain health problems like heart disease and some cancers.
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). This vitamin supports nerve function, helps convert food into energy, breaks down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in food into amino acids (building blocks for protein), and helps form red blood cells in your body -- plus it may even reduce bad cholesterol levels! You'll find plenty of this nutrient in sweet potatoes because they're loaded with vitamins A & C as well!
- Potassium: This mineral is responsible for regulating fluid balance throughout your body -- which means less bloating after meals! It also keeps blood pressure under control by helping relax muscles throughout the circulatory system so everything flows smoothly through those pipes we call veins & arteries :)
- Manganese: An essential trace mineral needed by every cell within our bodies; manganese helps maintain bone density while also reducing risk factors associated with osteoporosis such as stress fractures due to its ability to strengthen connective tissue throughout our bodies including tendons ligaments cartilage etcetera...
They're also a good source of vitamin B6, potassium, and manganese
Potassium helps to keep your blood pressure normal. Manganese is needed for metabolism and energy production. Carotenoids are antioxidants that help protect you from free radicals. Fiber helps you feel full for longer after eating a meal, so it's great if you're trying to lose weight or just want to feel less hungry throughout the day!
Research shows that sweet potatoes can help with blood sugar control and overall health
Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, and manganese. They're also a good source of potassium and magnesium. Sweet potatoes have more fiber than white potatoes because they contain more of the starchy part of the vegetable (the potato). They also tend to be less starchy than other types of sweet potatoes--which makes them easier on carb-sensitive diets like Paleo or Whole30--but still taste delicious!
More research is needed to understand how sweet potatoes impact the body
Sweet potatoes are rich in nutrients that may help reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease. They're also high in fiber, which helps you feel full for longer. In one study published in Diabetes Care, researchers found that people who ate more than two sweet potatoes per week had lower levels of inflammation than those who ate less than one per week. Another study found that consuming just one cup of baked or mashed sweet potato could increase your HDL cholesterol--the "good" kind--by nearly 10 percent. The carotenoids alpha-carotene and beta-carotene have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, while manganese has been linked with improved blood glucose control.
The high fiber content in sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are high in fiber, which means they help you feel full for longer. Fiber is a carbohydrate that your body cannot digest, but it still has calories. However, because it takes more time to process the sweet potato's fiber than other types of food (like refined grains), your body gets the feeling of being full faster and longer--so there's no temptation to overeat later on in the day!
The high fiber content in sweet potatoes helps you lose weight by making you feel fuller with fewer calories than other foods do. In fact, studies have shown that people who eat more fiber tend to weigh less than those who don't consume enough dietary fiber on a regular basis--and this may be due to an increase in metabolism from eating more whole grains or legumes (such as beans).
Conclusion
Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of nutrients that can help boost your health. They're rich in fiber, which keeps you feeling full for longer after eating them and helps control blood sugar levels. Sweet potatoes are also a good source of carotenoids like beta-carotene and lycopene (which gives tomatoes their red color). Research shows that these compounds may help reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels or improving circulation in the body.
