The Best Reason to Eat More Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are the most nutrient-dense vegetable around, and if you’re looking to add more of them to your diet, here’s the best reason to do so: They’re inexpensive! Sweet potatoes are fairly inexpensive even when bought fresh, but they’re even cheaper when bought frozen (and canned sweet potatoes aren’t far behind). For example, 12 ounces of canned sweet potatoes can cost less than 50 cents!
They Can Help With Diabetes
The fiber, vitamin A, and potassium in sweet potatoes can help stabilize your blood sugar levels and keep your insulin levels low. If you have diabetes, or are at risk for it, sweet potatoes are an ideal food because they aren’t processed or refined like other carbohydrate sources.
They Are High in Vitamins A, C and B6
Almost no foods are as rich in vitamin A, one of your body’s most important antioxidants, as sweet potatoes. They also offer a decent amount of vitamin C and B6, which are both crucial for your body’s production of hormones. If you don’t get enough B6, you may experience symptoms like hair loss and numbness in your fingers.
They Have More Fiber Than Other Roots
It’s not just a saying: an apple a day keeps the doctor away. In fact, it would be more accurate to say that eating sweet potatoes (or yams) each day will keep your doctor away. Sweet potatoes have an average of 4 grams of fiber per serving, which is significantly higher than other roots and tubers like white potatoes or rutabagas.
They Are Very Filling
The reason sweet potatoes make such a good low-calorie meal is their high fiber content. When you eat these orange veggies, your digestive system has to work hard to break down all of that fiber, which means you will feel full much faster than with other carbohydrate-rich foods.
They Protect Against Cardiovascular Disease
Contrary to popular belief, sweet potatoes aren’t just delicious and satisfying — they’re also packed with a range of vitamins and minerals that can help protect against cardiovascular disease. According to one study, eating just 2 ounces of baked sweet potato every day could reduce your risk of heart disease by as much as 34 percent. They’re also full of antioxidants like beta-carotene, which may improve your heart health even further.
They Are Anti-Inflammatory
The beta-carotene and vitamin C in sweet potatoes can help stave off disease and keep your heart healthy. According to a study in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, eating one serving of sweet potatoes per day can reduce markers of inflammation by 13%. That’s even better than some cold medicines! Another study published in The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry shows that beta-carotene helps reduce LDL cholesterol. This is important because high levels of LDL cholesterol increase your risk for cardiovascular disease.
If You Eat Paleo, They’re Part of Your Diet Already!
Today’s sweet potatoes are different from what our ancestors ate thousands of years ago. But, despite that fact, we’re still encouraged to eat more of them — especially if you’re Paleo-dieting. Check out these seven reasons why eating sweet potatoes will help you live longer and healthier. Do you already eat enough? If not, go ahead and add them to your diet!
Did We Mention Their Taste?
Sweet potatoes are a nutritious starch, packed with vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, beta-carotene and B6. But their taste is also important: sweet potatoes contain complex carbohydrates that release energy into your bloodstream slowly. This leads to steady energy levels that help keep you mentally alert for longer periods of time. Don’t believe us? Try it yourself — chances are you’ll be hooked after just one bite!
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