These healthy carbs are a great addition to your diet, and their benefits extend far beyond your preferences.
Whether you eat sweet potatoes baked, fried, mashed or topped with marshmallows, sweet potatoes are a delicious and healthy addition to any meal. That may be why sweet potato consumption in the US is growing each year, with Americans eating an average of 7.5 pounds (3.4 kg) of sweet potatoes annually in 2015 (in 2000 there were only 4, 2 pounds – 1.9 kg).
What are the health benefits of sweet potatoes?
1. May improve digestion.
Want to enjoy a more comfortable, less bloated feeling?
Travis Blanchard, founder of Splash Bytes in the US, says: “Sweet potatoes are rich in fiber and can help prevent constipation. In fact, according to a 2017 study published in the Journal of Functional Foods in Health and Disease, sweet potato consumption is also associated with improved beneficial bacteria in the gut.
2. May reduce the risk of cramps during exercise.
Want no cramps after an intense workout?
Meghan Sedivy, registered dietitian with Fresh Thyme Market, said: “Although, in terms of calories, sweet potatoes are just like regular potatoes, they have fiber, antioxidants and a decent amount of potassium. In fact, sweet potatoes contain twice the amount of potassium found in a banana, which may reduce the risk of potassium-deficiency cramps.”
3. Can improve eyesight.
If you want to protect your eye health, sweet potatoes may be the tastiest way to achieve that goal.
“The bright orange color of sweet potatoes makes them high in vitamins A and C to support vision health,” says nutritionist Sedivy.
In fact, according to research conducted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, beta-carotene found in foods like sweet potatoes is associated with a reduced rate of vision loss in people with retinopathy. factors, which can cause night blindness and loss of peripheral vision…
4. May strengthen the immune system.
If you feel like you have a cold, adding some sweet potatoes to your regular meal can help protect your body.
Both vitamins work in your body to boost your immune system and help you fight infections,” says Megan Byrd, who founder of the Oregon Dietitian, citing a study published in the journal Nature Reviews Immunology.
5. Improve your “bad” cholesterol.
Think of sweet potatoes as an “essential tool in your arsenal” to combat high cholesterol.
6. You can stay full longer.
Looking to fight those cravings between meals? If you eat sweet potatoes regularly, you can say goodbye to cravings.
“Sweet potatoes are a great source of carbohydrates and soluble fiber,” says Rachel Fine, registered dietitian and owner of To The Pointe Nutrition. Soluble fiber helps slow digestion, not only promoting a steady release of both insulin and leptin, but also promoting a ‘sense of fullness’ during meals, helping you to manage portions naturally.
