Health benefits of sweet potatoes or ‘kamote’
Rose May Pimentel in Health
Aug 11, 2020 • 3 min Read
Known in our country as ’kamote’, sweet potatoes are considered as one of the most important crops in the Philippines because of its many uses. This popular root vegetable is not only delicious but nutritious too. Its leaves can also be consumed as an ingredient to some dishes. Kamote is known to be an excellent source of carbohydrates, vitamin A, carotene, calcium, and phosphorus. One of the most common Pinoy sweet potato desserts is ‘kamote cue’.
According to science, here are some of the health benefits of sweet potatoes:
1. Helps prevent Vitamin A deficiency
Sweet potatoes are a natural and abundant source of beta-carotene and Vitamin A, which is essential in helping the body fight off infections, and remain resistant to any further infections.
2. Manage diabetes
Sweet potatoes contain essential fibers and magnesium that are critical in the prevention and management of diabetes. The vegetables also have a moderately low glycemic index that aids in the regulation of blood glucose levels.
3. Manage stress levels
Sweet potatoes are an important source of magnesium, whose deficiency has been reported to be linked with a higher risk of depression, stress, and anxiety. It can replenish the body’s magnesium levels and help alleviate the symptoms of depression and anxiety-related behaviors.
4. Help protect, prevent and manage cancer
Sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene, a carotenoid that is essential in protecting men from developing prostate cancer. Also, extracts from different parts of sweet potatoes have been shown to accelerate the death of breast, gastric, colorectal, and prostate cancers, limiting the growth and spread of these cancers.
5. Can help guard against ulcers
Studies on the extracts from sweet potatoes have shown that it has chemicals that help heal wounds and ulcers in the stomach. Thus, it can be an effective treatment plan against major types of ulcers.
6. Help in minimizing the risk of cardiovascular diseases
The fibers, anthocyanin, polyphenols, and high radical scavenging activity contained in sweet potatoes are important in the fight against cardiovascular diseases.
7. Help improve hair and skin
Sweet potatoes contain high levels of Vitamin A, C, and E, all are useful in the promotion of proper skin and hair health.
8. Good for digestion
Sweet potatoes contain significantly high amounts of fibers, which are essential in promoting a well-functioning digestive tract, as well as preventing constipation.
9. Can help in regulating blood pressure
Sweet potatoes contain considerable amounts of both magnesium and potassium both are essential in the fight against hypertension. They also help regulate the blood pressure that reduces the chances of individuals suffering from cardiovascular diseases.
10. Important for good vision
Sweet potatoes contain high amounts of vitamins A, C, and E, all of which are integral in promoting good vision. Deficiency of vitamin A results in night blindness, total blindness, as well as malformation of the retina. Deficiency in vitamin C is mostly associated with the development of cataracts.
11. Help in weight management
The fiber in sweet potatoes can help in maintaining satiety, as well as reducing the overall weight of an individual. The more full you feel throughout the day, the less you will snack, which will help you manage your weight effectively.
12. Memory-enhancing food
Consuming sweet potatoes regularly can help enhance your memory.
Indeed, the benefits of sweet potatoes are numerous, and adding this superfood to your diet might help prevent certain health conditions. Stay healthy!
