Health Benefits of Sweet Potato

Rose May Pimentel in Health

Jul 11, 2021 • 3 min Read

Sweet potato, known as kamote in Tagalog, contains a significant amount of vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and antioxidants aside from being delicious.

Sweet potato is versatile. It can be roasted, steamed, baked, or grilled. It is commonly used in making desserts, pastries, and different types of dishes in global cuisines. Kamoteque and fries is the most common Filipino dessert for sweet potato.

Here are some of the amazing health benefits of kamote, from Organic Facts:

1. Improves Digestion

The fiber content in sweet potatoes is higher than that of common potatoes. When these two factors are combined with other minerals like magnesium, it makes an excellent facilitator for digestion. They are easy to digest because it contain starch. They are soothing to the stomach and intestines, and you can avoid any difficulties in digesting them. Furthermore, fiber feeds the little microbes in our gut and help support and promote a healthy gut.

2. Promotes Weight Gain

Sweet potatoes contain good amounts of complex starch, along with healthy vitamins, minerals, and proteins. They are very easy to digest and they provide a lot of energy and excellent bulk builders for people looking to gain weight.

3. Boosts Immune System

Sweet potatoes are excellent immune system boosters that defend your body from a wide variety of conditions. As mentioned above, not only they are rich in antioxidants and vitamins, they are also rich in manganese, magnesium, and phosphorus. All these nutrients help in strengthening the immunity and keeping you healthy.

4. Treats Bronchitis

Sweet potatoes are believed to be capable of warming up the body, possibly due to the sweetness and other nutrients that impact body temperature. This property is also beneficial for people suffering from bronchitis, along with its powerful effect on congestion. The concentration of vitamin C, iron, and other nutrients help treat bronchitis.

5. Treats Stomach Ulcers

Research shows that a diet high in fiber and rich in vitamin C reduce the risk of developing stomach ulcers. They also contain B-complex vitamins, potassium, and calcium that are very effective in curing stomach ulcers. Moreover, the roughage obtained from fiber prevents constipation and the resultant acid formation, thereby reducing the chance of ulcers. Their anti-inflammatory and soothing properties also reduce the pain and inflammation of the ulcers.

6. Manages Diabetes

Contrary to popular belief, sweet potatoes may be diabetes-friendly. Rich in fiber and beta-carotene, sweet potatoes can be included in various preparations. While more studies are required to ascertain its role as a part of diabetes reversal courses, they are safe to be included in your diet, especially considering their low glycemic index.

7. Other Benefits

Sweet potatoes are effective for helping people quit addictions like smoking, drinking, and taking certain narcotics. They are good for the health of arteries and veins, as they protect their walls against hardening. The high concentration of beta-carotene (an alternative form of vitamin A) and phosphorus are excellent for both ocular and cardiac health.

No wonder it is called a nutrient powerhouse. Go start adding sweet potato to your daily diet and enjoy its benefits!

Stay healthy and safe!