Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are considered “superfoods” due to their high nutrient content. They may support:
Lower risk of cancer: The carotenoids in sweet potatoes could lower your cancer risk. Anthocyanins are found in purple sweet potatoes, which may reduce your risk of colorectal carcinoma.
Diabetes: Sweet potato chemicals may help to regulate blood sugar. Sweet potatoes are less likely to increase blood sugar when they’re boiled.
Heart Disease: Recent studies have shown that lowering LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) may reduce your risk of heart disease.
Retinal Aging: Sweet potato is a good source for vitamin A and beta carotene which reduces the risk of glaucoma – the leading cause of blindness.
Obesity Purple Sweet Potatoes may help weight loss through reducing inflammation in the body and stopping fat cell development.
Popular ways to prepare sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes can be boiled, baked, roasted, grilled, whipped, pureed, or fried. Sweet potatoes can be used in salads, soups and muffins. They are also great as a side. Add chili powder to make them spicy, or cinnamon and nutmeg to make them sweet.
You can bake sweet potatoes quickly in the microwave to save time. Sweet potatoes will be just as delicious despite their less crispy outer layer. Use rosemary and Parmesan in place of heavy cream to give your sweet potatoes a tasty flair while reducing fat and calories.
You can also bake sweet potatoes at high temperatures with herbs and spices in order to make “fries” of French style. Sweet potatoes can be served for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Sweet potatoes are a healthy, affordable and versatile ingredient.
Summary
Don’t wait until Thanksgiving to enjoy sweet potatoes! Include them in your regular menu. Your body will be grateful.
