Eat Me: 9 reasons to relish sweet potato

Sweet potato can be eaten in many ways and incorporated into a variety of recipes; from main courses to desserts.

It has over 400% of your daily needs for vitamin A in one medium spud, as well as loads of fiber and potassium.

Sweet potato has more grams of natural sugars than regular potato but more overall nutrients with fewer calories.

Here are nine other reasons you should eat sweet potato today.

They are high in vitamin B6

The B6 vitamin is needed for proper brain development and function and to make the hormones serotonin and norepinephrine, which affect mood.

Vitamin B6 also helps the body make melatonin, which is important in helping regulate your internal clock.

Vitamin B6 reduces the chemical homocysteine in our bodies. Homocysteine has been linked with degenerative diseases, including heart attacks.

Many edible uses

You can eat sweet potato roasted, puréed, steamed, baked, or grilled. You can add to soups and stews, or grill and place on top of leafy greens for a delicious salad.

Contains iron and support a healthy immune system

Although we need the mineral iron to have adequate energy, it also plays other important roles in our body, including red and white blood cell production, resistance to stress, proper im­mune functioning, and the metabolising of protein, among other things.

Good source of mag­nesium

Magnesium is necessary for a healthy artery, blood, bone, heart, muscle, and nerve function.

…And vitamin C

While most people are aware that vitamin C is important to help ward off cold and flu viruses, few are aware that this crucial vitamin also plays an important role in bone and tooth formation, digestion, and blood cell formation.

It helps accelerate wound healing, produces collagen which helps maintain skin’s youthful elasticity, and is essential to helping us cope with stress.

Source of potassium

Potassium is one of the important electrolytes that helps regulate heartbeat and nerve signals.

Diets high in potassium are associated with improved blood pressure control.

There are several mechanisms contributing to this beneficial effect, including improved kidney function, reduction in blood clotting, and more efficient opening of blood vessels.

Sweet potatoes do not cause blood sugar spikes

Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet-tasting but their natural sugars are slowly released into the bloodstream, helping to ensure a balanced and regular source of energy, without the blood sugar spikes linked to fatigue and weight gain.

They are a good source of vitamin D

Seasonal affective disorder (or SAD), which is linked to inadequate sunlight, is caused by vitamin D deficiency.

Fights cancer

Sweet potato is high in carotenoids like beta carotene, which is the precursor to vitamin A in your body.

Research studies suggest that dietary intake of foods high in Beta carotene has a positive association with decreased risk of cardio-vascular disease as well as oral cavity, and lung cancers.