9 Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes (Page 2)

6. They are a source of potassium, one of the important electrolytes that help regulate heartbeat and nerve signals. Like the other electrolytes, potassium performs many essential functions, some of which include relaxing muscle contractions, reducing swelling, and protecting and controlling the activity of the kidneys.

7. Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet-tasting but their natural sugars are slowly released into the bloodstream, helping to ensure a balanced and regular source of energy, without the blood sugar spikes linked to fatigue and weight gain.

8. Their rich orange colour indicates that they are high in carotenoids like beta carotene and other carotenoids, which is the precursor to vitamin A in your body. Carotenoids help strengthen our eyesight and boost our immunity to disease, they are powerful antioxidants that help ward off cancer and protect against the effects of aging. Studies at Harvard University of more than 124,000 people showed a 32 percent reduction in risk of lung cancer in people who consumed a variety of carotenoid-rich foods as part of their regular diet.2 Another study of women who had completed treatment for early stage breast cancer conducted by researchers at Women’s Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) found that women with the highest blood concentrations of carotenoids had the least likelihood of cancer recurrence.

9. There are versatile. Try them roasted, puréed, steamed, baked, or grilled. You can add them to soups and stews, or grill and place on top of leafy greens for a delicious salad. I enjoy grilling them with onions and red peppers for amazing sandwich or wrap ingredients. Puree them and add to smoothies and baked goods.

Adapted with permission from The Life Force Diet by Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD.

Check back on Thursday for our favorite sweet potato recipes!

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Ashley D.

11:42AM PDT on May 1, 2013

This is a great site. Another way to consume sweet potatoes is juicing them through an extractor. Come check out my site at http://www.juice-extractor-guide.com/sweetpotato.html

May 1
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Natalie S.

10:00AM PST on Mar 2, 2013

Sweet potatoes are not too popular in Malta and they're not that cheap either. Still, if all these benefits really arise from eating sweet potatoes, then they're good value for money.

March 2
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Jesse S.

7:32AM PST on Feb 8, 2013

I heard they can cause kidney stones. Any truth to that?

February 8
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Keri D.

9:42PM PST on Dec 25, 2012

Love sweet potatoes. When you eat a total of 1200 calories a day, finding sweet FILLING things can be difficult.. I just pop a couple small-sized sweet potatoes in the oven for about an hour, then let them get cold (seems to make them sweeter). I eat them in replacement of candy or sweets, and they don't completely ruin my diet.
I used to hate them. But, after you ween yourself off of sugars, the taste just seems better.

December 25
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Syida E.

7:02PM PST on Nov 18, 2012

Ok... What if i only have a microwave to work with...? (^^)

November 18
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Dave C.

3:55PM PST on Nov 13, 2012

LOVE sweet potatoes.

November 13
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Mary B.

3:51PM PST on Nov 13, 2012

Last night I made an incredible West African Sweet Potato and Peanut Soup! Awesome soup!

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1:37PM PDT on Nov 2, 2012

love the taste...reminds me on pumpkin when boiled..like to add cinnamon....mmmmmm

November 2
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Amy S.

8:27AM PDT on Jul 6, 2012

I love sweet potatoes. This is my recipes for easy sweet potatoes desserts. 1 cup of barley, 1 medium sweet potatoes, 1 cup of sugar or honey and 5 cups of water. Put all the ingredients into the medium cooking pot and cook all of them together until it turn soft. Last add sugar or honey. Great for summer.