What are the effects of sweet potatoes?

Sweet potatoes are herbaceous plants in the family Acutangula. Sweet potato tubers have a layered structure consisting of an outer skin and an inner flesh. The skin of sweet potatoes can be orange, purple, red or white depending on the variety. The inner flesh can also be white, orange or purple, depending on the variety and the nutrients contained inside.

This is a familiar food in our lives. Sweet potatoes have low starch content and contain many vitamins important for health.

Nutritional value of sweet potatoes

According to the article on the website hellobacsi with medical consultation from Dr. Nguyen Thuong Hanh - Internal Medicine - General Internal Medicine, Bac Ninh General Hospital, the effects of sweet potatoes depend largely on their nutritional value. In 100g of sweet potatoes, there are significant amounts of nutrients, minerals and many vitamins as follows:

- Vitamin A: Most abundant in orange sweet potatoes - contains large amounts of beta-carotene, which can improve eyesight and protect eyes from harmful environmental factors. On average, 1 sweet potato contains more than 120% of the vitamin A needed by the body each day.

- Vitamin C: Most abundant in red sweet potatoes - an important antioxidant for the immune system, reducing inflammation and increasing the body's ability to recover. Each sweet potato provides about 45% of the body's daily vitamin C needs.

- Vitamin B6: Supports the body's metabolism of protein, sugar and fat. Not only that, it is also a source of energy to maintain the body's activities and nervous system.

- Fiber: Fiber in sweet potatoes helps improve digestion and maintain a stable weight. Fiber also helps control blood sugar and increase satiety. Each sweet potato can provide 4 - 6g of fiber for daily nutritional needs to maintain a stable weight and control blood sugar.

- Potassium: Each sweet potato contains about 15% of the body's daily potassium needs. This is a mineral needed for basic body functions such as nerve and muscle function.

- Iron: On average, 1 sweet potato can provide 15 - 20% of the iron the body needs each day. Iron creates red blood cells and provides oxygen to cells in the body.

- Manganese: Each sweet potato provides about 25 - 30% of the body's daily manganese needs. Manganese is an important mineral for many processes in the body, especially providing energy and supporting bone health.

What are the effects of sweet potatoes?

Sweet potatoes are not only delicious, nutritious, and cheap, but are also loved by many people because of the countless health benefits they bring.

Prevent vitamin A deficiency

According to an article on the Medlatec General Hospital website with medical consultation from Dr. Duong Ngoc Van, because it contains high levels of beta carotene, sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin A for the body to fight various infections, increasing the ability to fight infections later.

Diabetes Control

According to Dr. Duong Ngoc Van, sweet potatoes have a low glycemic index. This means that they release sugar into the bloodstream very slowly compared to other starchy foods. This steady release helps control blood sugar levels. In addition, this tuber has magnesium and a high fiber content, which are important in managing and preventing diabetes.

Sweet potatoes have many health benefits. (Photo: Pinterest)

Helps manage weight

According to Boldsky, sweet potatoes contain fermentable and soluble fiber. Therefore, eating sweet potatoes provides the body with a mechanism to maintain and regulate weight naturally. Fibers such as pectin are not only effective in reducing food intake.

This type of fiber also increases the activity of hormones in the body. Therefore, consuming sweet potatoes will lead to a higher fiber intake, which helps in effective weight loss.

Support cancer prevention and treatment

Purple sweet potatoes are particularly effective in fighting cancer. The components in purple sweet potatoes can inhibit the growth of specific cancers such as stomach cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer. Furthermore, the high concentration of anthocyanins in purple sweet potatoes is beneficial in anti-cancer activity in breast cancer and stomach cancer.

Sweet potato extract can kill prostate cancer cells. These active ingredients also ensure that the cancer does not spread or develop to any other part of the prostate.

Improve hair and skin

According to the Examination Department - Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital, this tuber is rich in vitamins A, C and E which are good for hair and skin.

Vitamin E has the ability to increase hair growth and density in people with severe hair loss. This is because this vitamin has antioxidant properties that can help reduce one of the main causes of hair loss: oxidative stress.

Vitamin C is commonly used to treat dermatological problems such as hyperpigmentation and skin aging. Vitamin C is necessary for the synthesis of collagen, an important structural protein of the skin. This vitamin also has anti-inflammatory properties, which help manage skin problems such as acne and promote wound healing.

Digestive support

Many people know that sweet potatoes help improve digestive problems and intestinal health because this tuber has a high fiber content. Consuming sweet potatoes can increase the amount of fiber needed by the body to help the digestive process go smoothly.

This tuber is also very useful in preventing constipation. Therefore, you can absolutely add sweet potatoes to your child's menu so that your child can enjoy this wonderful benefit.

Khanh An (synthesis)

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