Sweet Potato Health Benefits

 

Sweet Potato Simply Delicious 

Sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are a food plant of the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae) native to tropical America. The sweet potato is a root vegetable widely cultivated in tropical warm temperate climates and is considered an important food crop in the Southern United States, tropical America, the warmer Caribbean, and the warmer islands of the Pacific Japan and parts of Russia. “Beyond fresh produce the processed sweet potato sector is thriving. Products like sweet potato chips, flours, purees and frozen ready to eat meals are driving new revenue opportunities with the dried sweet potato segment alone projected to hit 2.5 billion.” Global Market Statistics. “ Sweet potatoes are considered an excellent source of dietary carotenoids and phytochemicals whose health benefits include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity, cardiovascular protection, anticancer properties, and improvement in neurological and memory capacity metabolic disorders, and intestinal barrier function.” PubMed

One cup of sweet potato is 114 calories, 0.07grams fat, 26.76 grams carbs, 2.90 grams protein per serving.  In 2026 the sweet potato market is experiencing steady growth valued between 13 billion and 53 billion globally depending on reporting metrics which is driven by an increased demand for nutritious food  and gluten free options for consumers who seek dietary alternatives to white potatoes.  Sweet potatoes global production and sales volume is estimated to hover between 100 to 105 million metric tons approximately 220 231 billion pounds.  Sweet potatoes are a nutritious root vegetable packed with minerals, vitamins and antioxidants that provide the body with various health benefits. “ The potent antioxidant capacity of purple sweet potatoes is mainly attributed to carotenoid and anthocyanin content.  These compounds exhibit free radical scavenging effects therefore the consumption of anthocyanin rich products is associated with lowering the risk of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive performance. 

This starchy vegetable is incredibly rich in beta-carotene which your body converts into vitamin A promoting eye health and boots your immune function effectively.  Sweet Potatoes are tuberous root vegetables that are starchy in consistency and sweet tasting.  A sweet potato root is a tuberous root that is large and oval in shape which has gained popularity for use in culinary recipes from main dishes, sides, desserts and healthy snack options.  Sweet potatoes can be cultivated in a wide variety of soils throughout tropical and temperate warm regions wherever there is sufficient water.  Depending on the cultivar and conditions tuberous roots mature in two to nine months.  With early care early maturing cultivars can be grown as an annual summer crop in warm temperate areas.  Sweet potatoes are a true superfood which is a great source of fiber, vitamins, minerals, beta-carotene and antioxidants.  Plants bare roots for harvest in as little as 90 days making this plant a sustainable vegetable option.  Sweet potatoes are grown from slips (sprouts) rather than the tuber. 

Plant them in the spring after the danger of frost has passed and the soil temperature reaches 65 degrees F (18 degrees C).  Plant the slips in loose well drained soil 12 to 18 inches apart leaving only the tops of the leaves exposed.  Using the water method, suspend a sweet potato in a jar using 3 0r 4 tooth picks around the side to keep the bottom half of the sweet potato submerged in water.  Place the jar in a warm sunny window to sprout.  In 2-4 weeks leafy sprouts will grow which can be transplanted into a pot or garden for the warm summer season.  Varieties of sweet potatoes include Purple Majesty Sweet Potato Bare Roots, Treasure Island ™ Manihi Ipomoea Batatas, Muraskaki Sweet Potato Bare Roots, Georgia Jet Sweet Potatoes Bare Roots, Beauregard Sweet Potato Bare Roots, Centennial Sweet Potato Bare Roots, Vardaman Sweet Potato Bare Roots, varieties found online.  The Purple Majesty Brae Root sweet potato plant displays the color or notability with a royal flair and pallet appeal. 

This long slender sweet potato is garden royalty with its vibrant purple color inside and out.  Purple Majesty melds delicious classic sweet potato flavors with vibrant color for creating dishes that taste amazing as they look. Perfect for baking, roasting, mashing, and creating sweet potato fries as a delicious side dish. Taking sweet potato supplements may be important because it bridges nutritional gaps for people who can not meet their daily nutritional needs consuming food alone.  Sweet potatoes are a good source of several bioactive compounds above all Polyphenols, terpenoids, saponins, glycosides, alkaloids, and phytosterols.  The diversity of skin and flesh color in the root vegetable arises from different levels of (polyphenols) and carotenoids.”  PubMed Supplements help prevent nutritional deficiencies helping individuals manage chronic health conditions. 

Unleashed Organic Sweet Potato Powder available in 16 ounce - pure superfood supplement.  It is naturally nutrient rich containing vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, beta-carotene, to support everyday nutrition.  It supports a balanced diet using plant based ingredients that contributes to overall wellness as part of a healthy eating routine. It is versatile and easy to use in smoothies, soups, baking and cooking. Its mild sweet flavor is ideal for sweet and savory recipes packed with nutrition.

Cheers! 

Patricia Lynn

Images Courtesy of Ella Olsson at Unsplash