Why Sweet Potato Is Called a Dietary Powerhouse?
Why Sweet Potato Is Called a Dietary Powerhouse? The sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a dicotyledonous plant that belongs to the family Convolvulaceae. Its large, starchy, sweet-tasting, tuberous roots are a root vegetable. The young leaves and shoots are sometimes eaten as greens.
Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is native to the tropical regions in the Americas. Sweet potatoes come laden with many benefits. For many reasons listed below, they are indeed dietary powerhouse!
There are plenty of antioxidants in sweet potatoes like anthocyanin and beta carotene that have anti-inflammatory properties. This also helps in keeping ailments like asthma, gout and arthritis at bay.
Sweet potatoes contain reasonable amount of manganese, a vital mineral, which keeps body’s energy levels high. This mineral enables easy absorption of other nutrients and strengthens bones.
Quercetin, an important dietary nutrient, is present in sweet potato that helps in lowering bad cholesterol and in reducing inflammation. This nutrient is also a natural antihistamine for combating even chronic allergies.
Despite the presence of carbohydrates, sweet potatoes effectively control blood sugar by modifying insulin metabolism.
Sweet potatoes come loaded with Vitamin B6 and potassium that are beneficial for heart. While Potassium helps in regulating blood pressure & curing muscular cramps and injuries, Vitamin B6 breaks down homocysteine that is known to harden the arteries.
Sweet potatoes have high content of vitamin C and capable of meeting as much as 40 percent of its daily requirement. This keeps skin and joints healthy.
Vitamin D in sweet potato keeps immune system healthy and boosts energy levels.
Sweet potatoes, especially with skin, have good amount of fiber that helps in healing digestion and relieving constipation.
Sweet potatoes can be safely consumed by pregnant women for high content of folate in it. A good dose of folate helps in development of fetal tissue and cells.
Presence of color-related pigments make sweet potato anti-inflammatory agent. Sweet potato phytonutrients diminish inflammation and associated problems.
Presence of resin glycosides in sweet potatoes makes this tuber an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent.