Introduction
Sweet potatoes are not only considered a “superfood”, but in fact, it is something which is full of important vitamins and minerals and can have a very positive effect on your health.
The vegetable is highly rich in nutrition. If taken for breakfast, it can provide energy to work until the evenings, especially for those who toil in fields. This is owing to the low glycemic index which causes the insulin to mix with the bloodstream slowly.
In India, these crops are widely grown in hilly or tribal areas of the eastern part, as weather conditions there are suitable for tuber growth.
Sweet potatoes can be regularly consumed by people with diabetes in limited quantities.
Dr. Nedunchezhiyan, principal scientist at the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) – Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI), Bhubaneshwar, along with other researchers at the institute, developed and launched two new varieties of sweet potatoes — Krishna (Purple color) and Sona (Orange color). These varieties are rich in anthocyanin and beta carotene, he says.
Purple and orange sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, and fiber.
All these nutrients are essential for our health and the optimal functioning of our bodies. These contain an extremely high amount of vitamin C and B.
Eating Purple and orange sweet potatoes is a great idea if you want to improve your cardiovascular and digestive health. Incorporate sweet potatoes into your diet and watch how it affects you in a positive way!
Health Benefits
1. Purple and Orange help prevent Vitamin A deficiency
These are a natural and abundant source of beta-carotene and Vitamin A.
Vitamin A is essential in helping the body fight off infections and remain resistant to any further infections.
2. Purple Sweet potatoes can help to manage diabetes
Sweet potatoes contain essential fibers and magnesium that play critical and a vital role in the prevention and management of diabetes.
The vegetables also have a moderately low glycemic index that also aids in the regulation of blood glucose levels.
3. Purple Sweet potatoes can help manage stress levels
Sweet potatoes are an important source of magnesium. deficiency has been reported to be linked with a higher risk of depression, stress, and anxiety.
Thus, sweet potatoes can replenish the body’s magnesium levels and help alleviate the symptoms of depression and anxiety-related behaviors in individuals.
4. They can help protect/prevent/manage cancer.
Sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene, a carotenoid, which is significant in protecting men from developing prostate cancer.
In addition, extracts from different parts of sweet potatoes have been shown to accelerate the death of breast, gastric, colorectal, and prostate cancers, limiting the growth and spread of these cancers.
5. Purple Sweet potatoes are good for digestion.
These Sweet potatoes contain significantly high amounts of fibers, which are essential in promoting a well-functioning digestive tract, as well as preventing constipation.
6. Purple sweet potatoes can help in regulating blood pressure.
These contain considerable amounts of both magnesium and potassium, both of which are essential in the fight against hypertension.
They also help regulate the blood pressure, which reduces the chances of individuals suffering from cardiovascular diseases.
7. Orange sweet potatoes are important for good vision.
Orange sweet potatoes contain high amounts of vitamin A, C, and E, all of which are integral in promoting good vision.
Deficiency of vitamin A results in night blindness, total blindness, as well as malformation of the retina. Deficiency in vitamin C is mostly associated with the development of cataracts.
8. These contain antimicrobial properties.
Sweet potatoes and their extracts possess antimicrobial activities, which can be used in the prevention and treatment of a variety of bacterial pathogens and infections.
9. Purple and orange sweet potatoes can help in weight management.
The fiber in sweet potatoes can help in maintaining satiety, as well as reducing the overall weight of an individual.
The fuller you feel throughout the day, the less you will snack, which will help you manage your weight effectively.
10. Purple sweet potatoes can help guard against ulcers.
Studies on the extracts from sweet potatoes have shown that the vegetable has chemicals that can help heal wounds and ulcers in the stomach.
Thus, dietary consumption of sweet potatoes can be an effective treatment plan against major types of ulcers including ethanol and aspirin-induced ulcers.