Sweet potato is a starchy root veggie that’s grown globally. It’s available in different colors and sizes, such as purple, white, and orange. Sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants, minerals, fiber, and vitamins. And there are many health benefits to be enjoyed by increasing your intake.

Some of them include:

It’s highly nutritious

Sweet potatoes are well-packed with essential macronutrients. For instance, 200 grams of baked sweet potatoes provides enough protein, carbs, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, manganese, and niacin, to name a few.

They protect your body from free radicals linked to premature aging, cancer, and heart disease. Increase your consumption of antioxidant sources like sweet potatoes to reduce your risk of chronic diseases.

It promotes gut health

You should also prioritize gut health, and sweet potatoes take care of this aspect. The soluble and insoluble fibers present in this food improve the digestive tract and gut health by reducing their workload and making your food easily digestible.

It works by either absorbing the excess water and softening your stool or adding bulk to it. Regardless, bowel movement will be improved when you eat more fiber-rich foods.

Another benefit is that bacteria often ferment soluble and insoluble fibers to create short-chain fatty acids. They improve the functioning of the cells lining your stomach and keep them healthy.

In addition, sweet potatoes and other fiber-rich foods have been linked to a lower colon cancer risk while regulating bowel movements.

Gut health will also be improved because of the promotion of healthy gut bacteria; the more present in your system, the lower your chances of medical conditions like infectious diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome.

It may have cancer combatting properties

Again, sweet potatoes are packed with ample antioxidants which fight against carcinogens. Substances like anthocyanins are a type of antioxidant present in purple sweet potatoes. They delay the multiplication of cancerous cells in the colon, bladder, and stomach areas. It also hinders the growth of breast-cancer causing cells.

It improves the vision

Sweet potatoes also improve your vision because they’re rich in substances like beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A and is used to form light-detecting receptors.

A deficiency on vitamin A causes xerophthalmia, a type of blindness. However, when you consume fiber-rich foods, your body becomes well-equipped to prevent this condition.

It may enhance brain function

Purple sweet potatoes are excellent for brain function. Studies on animals have shown that this food protects the brain and reduces inflammation and the prevalence and activities of free radicals in the body.

It may also improve memory and learning, as shown by studies conducted on mine. However, studies have not been performed on human subjects, but it’s general knowledge that veggies, fruits, and antioxidants typically reduce the risks of dementia and other mental problems.

It improves the immune system

Sweet potatoes with orange flesh are among the most potent sources of beta-carotene, which is also excellent for the immune system. It maintains low blood levels and protects the mucous membrane, particularly in the gut.