7 Reasons You Should Be Adding Sweet Potatoes to Your Diet

Sweet potatoes are a type of root vegetable that people have been growing and eating for thousands of years. These underground, starchy parts of the plant come from the Convolvulaceae family, and it’s believed they first appeared in the regions of South and Central America. Today, farmers around the world cultivate over 400 different kinds of sweet potatoes. You can easily serve them as a tasty side dish or include them as a nutritious ingredient in many different recipes. Beyond their delicious flavor, sweet potatoes offer a wide array of advantages for your well-being. From helping to keep your blood sugar levels steady to working against swelling in the body and even playing a role in managing your weight, let’s explore some compelling reasons why you might want to make sweet potatoes a regular part of your diet.

Helping to Calm Inflammation in the Body

Research has indicated that sweet potatoes, particularly those with a vibrant purple color, possess compounds that can help fight inflammation within the body. The orange varieties are also a fantastic source of beta-carotene. Your body can turn this beta-carotene into vitamin A, which acts as a powerful antioxidant and can help reduce inflammation. In fact, the orange-skinned types can provide a remarkable 400% of the vitamin A your body needs each day. To help your body absorb this vitamin A more effectively, it can be beneficial to enjoy your sweet potatoes with a little bit of olive oil or another healthy fat.

Packed with Important Nutrients

Sweet potatoes are a treasure trove of essential nutrients that are vital for maintaining good health. These include minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as important B-vitamins such as folate and choline. Calcium plays a key role in building and keeping your bones and teeth strong. It may also be helpful for maintaining healthy nails and hair, especially for women going through menopause. Magnesium has antioxidant properties and contributes to the regulation of healthy blood pressure. Phosphorus is important for helping your body balance and utilize other minerals and vitamins, such as iodine, zinc, magnesium, and vitamin D. Folate is particularly beneficial for women who are pregnant. Sweet potatoes also contain beta-carotene, which, as mentioned earlier, acts as an antioxidant and is good for keeping your eyes healthy.

Potentially Supporting Your Weight Management Goals