You might find it strange, but sweet potatoes do not belong to the same family as potatoes since they are actually roots. There are many varieties, and the shapes and sizes of the sweet potatoes can range from short too long, while their flesh can vary from white, yellow, orange and purple.
Sweet potatoes are abundant in carotenes, which are precursors of vitamin A, which improves the eyesight. They are also rich in vitamins C, B2, B6, E and biotin (B7), minerals like iron, copper, folate, and manganese, dietary fiber, and pantothenic acid.
Namely, a medium cooked sweet potato has about:
- 103 calories
- 2.3 grams protein
- 0.2 gram fat
- 3.8 grams dietary fiber
- 23.6 grams carbohydrates
- 21,907 international units vitamin A (438 percent DV)
- 22.3 miligrams vitamin C (37 percent DV)
- 0.6 milligram manganese (28 percent DV)
- 0.3 milligram vitamin B6 (16 percent DV)
- 541 milligrams potassium (15 percent DV)
- 1 milligram pantothenic acid (10 percent DV)
- 0.2 milligram copper (9 percent DV)
- 30.8 milligrams magnesium (8 percent DV)
- 1.7 milligrams niacin (8 percent DV)
- milligram thiamine (8 percent DV)
Sweet potatoes are full of plant proteins and very low in calories. They contain twice the fiber, twice the calcium and over 1000x more vitamin A (beta-carotene) than white potato.
While many people believe that sweet potatoes and yams are the same, they are in fact two completely different plants.
The sweet potato belongs to the morning glory family of plants, while yams are in fact related to lilies and grasses. Also, sweet potatoes are believed to be native to Central and South America, while yams are native to Africa and Asia.
There are also some huge differences in their appearance as well, as sweet potatoes have tapered ends with smoother skin and can range in color from white to vibrant orange and purple, while yams have rough skin and are typically white-fleshed and cylindrical.
They are also more starchy and dry and lack the hint of sweetness of sweet potatoes.
Yams are higher in calories, carbohydrates, and fiber, but slightly lower in protein than sweet potatoes. They are also rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium and manganese but are not as nutrient-dense as sweet potatoes.
Here are some of the numerous health benefits of sweet potatoes:
Anti-inflammatory: They are rich in beta carotene which soothes pain and fights inflammation.
Immune system: Their regular consumption strengthens the immune system and prevents infections.
Heart diseases: Sweet potatoes are rich in potassium, which regulates blood pressure, improves the function of the heart and maintains fluid and electrolyte balance in the body cells.
Muscle cramps: The high potassium content relieves muscle cramps, energizes the body, and prevents injuries.
Emphysema: Smokers and people who inhale second-hand smoke are advised to consume foods rich in vitamin A in order to prevent its deficiency in the body, which can lead to lung issues.
Fetal development: The high folate content is essential for healthy fetal cell and tissue development of the fetus.
Antioxidants: Sweet potatoes are full of antioxidants, which fight inflammatory problems like asthma, arthritis, gout, etc.
Digestive tract: They are loaded with dietary fiber, which improves digestion, prevents colon cancer, and relieves constipation.
Stress: In the case of stress, the metabolic rate increases and lowers the potassium levels. Their regular consumption rebalances the vital mineral and normalizes the heartbeat.
When buying your sweet potatoes, choose the darker varieties, as they are richer in carotene. Also, make sure they are not wrinkled or soft, and avoid the ones with a green discoloration that indicates the presence of a toxic substance called solanine.
Store them in the open, in a cool, dark and well-ventilated place.
