Nutritional Benefits of the Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes are one of the oldest vegetables known to mankind and it is little wonder that they are still a delicacy in today's world. Cultivated in almost every country of the world this fat free vegetable carries an abundance of healthy minerals such as Vitamin A, C, and E, potassium, beta-carotene, magnesium and is also rich in oxidants. There are as many as 400 known varieties of sweet potatoes and the color of the flesh ranges from white and yellow to orange. The outer skin can be yellow, orange, white, red or purple in color. So why is the sweet potato not only great tasting but good for you? Read on and find out!

Nutritional benefits of eating sweet potatoes include:

Minimizes the risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease
A good cure for arthritis and joint pains (apply the residual water which remains after boiling the sweet potato.)
They are rich in dietary fiber and lowers the risk of constipation, colon and rectal cancer and diverticulosis (small pouches on the lining of the colon)
Beta-carotene found in sweet potatoes helps the body fight against free radicals which cause cancer.
People suffering from diabetes can consume them as they have a low glycemic index.
If you are trying to lose weight, they can be a good snack as it induces a feeling of fullness soon thus helps control food intake.
They are high in potassium which helps the body maintain fluid and electrolyte balance and cell integrity.
They are very beneficial in lowering blood pressure and for blood purification.
Eaten regularly, they are good for inflamed colon conditions and stomach ulcers.
They ensure proper blood flow and improve bone density as they are high in calcium and iron.
For people involved in heavy muscular work, the sweet potato is good as it is rich in vitamins and minerals.
They are used in treatment of sleeping sickness.
Consumption of sweet potatoes helps prevent blood clots and has been know to help avoid stroke as they bring down the harmful effects of low-density cholesterol.
They are effective in quitting addictions like drinking, taking certain narcotics and smoking.
They protect the walls of veins and arteries from hardening therefore contributing to their good health.
Snacking on sweet potatoes helps skin to stay clear, young-looking and smooth due to the crayola-colored orange in the vegetable comes from beta-carotene which is an antioxidant that converts vitamin A in your body switching on DNA that produces new skin cells and shreds old ones. Water in which sweet potatoes have been washed in is good for softening and cleaning skin, especially back of the palms and the area around the elbows
As a tip, store your sweet potatoes in a dark, cool and dry area. If you do this, you will be able to store them up to two weeks. It is not advisable to refrigerate sweet potatoes without cooking them first.

Sweet potatoes can be enjoyed in very many ways. They can baked, boiled, mashed, made into crisps, soup and so on. Sweet potatoes can also be introduced to your baby's diet from six months as they are high in Vitamin A, Potassium and beta carotene. Baking is highly recommended when preparing them for babies as it brings out the good flavor and natural sweetness while retaining most of its nutrients. All in all the sweet potato is a wonderful healthy addition to a diet whether it's for a baby or an adult.