Sweet Secrets of Sweet Potatoes
The humble sweet potato is not so humble. All the sweet secrets of Sweet potatoes have been known by other cultures and civilizations for centuries. And you also can learn about them, and know the secrets.
From being packed with vitamins and minerals necessary for our bodies to function. To providing the building blocks for growth and health. To the healing properties for combating diabetes, heart disease, kidney and pancreas disorders. To help ward of the ageing process.
Nature knows what it is doing, and when we pay attention, we also benefit. Hyppocrates, known as the father of medicine, put it this way, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”.
Sweet potatoes come in a variety of colors.
And each color has its own special properties. All are still packed full of goodies.
The orange variety is high in beta-carotene. The purple variety is high in anthocyanin. The white flesh variety, improves pancreatic cell function, lipid levels, glucose management, and reduces insulin resistance.
The ordinary potato is from the Solanaceae family, the yam from the Dioscoreaceae family, and the sweet potato from the Convolvulaceae family. All can come from the same garden patch but are different and the sweet potato tops the class.
While the ordinary potato is mainly starch, and is a “filler food”, sweet potatoes give you the good stuff as well. I’m not knocking the good old spud. Baked potatoes and fries are still yummy.
We all need fuel for our bodies to live, rebuild, grow and function.
In todays fast food frenzy we are neglecting ourselves. And are also putting ourselves “way out there”. In the form of many inches over the belt-line. All the while these little things called free radicals, which are chemicals that harm your cells, are running wild through your body. Left unchecked, this takes you down the path to many diseases.
Color plays a huge part in nature.
The warm soft hews of a sunset. Lush green valleys under a blanket of clear blue skies, with a couple of white fluffy pillows floating by.
So it is with plants, vegetables, nuts and seeds. You want more life, get more color on your plate, and then you’ll have more life.
The different range of colors of sweet potatoes brings a variety of benefits to the table.
The purple-fleshed sweet potatoes contain super-high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. The orange ones are great for the eyes. White flesh sweet potatoes, improved pancreatic cell function, lipid levels, glucose management, reduced insulin resistance.
Vitamin A is increased by about 400% from one medium baked sweet potato. Giving a boost to the health of your eyes.
Recently discovered in sweet potatoes are a group of glycosides called batatosides (batatosidesIII, batatosidesIV, batatosidesV). These have anti-bacterial and anti-fungicide benefits.
Antioxidant activity of the purple sweet potatoes is 3.2 times higher than types of blueberry. There are different genes in the flesh and skin of sweet potatoes, so it is beneficial to eat both the flesh and the skin together. The leaves of the sweet potato are used in soups. Also combine the different colored sweet potatoes in the same meal, therefor getting all the goodies together in one serving.
Meat contains heme iron, more easily absorbed than non-heme food found in fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Sweet potatoes, which are high in vitamin C, absorb the non-heme iron better.
Iron is not only needed for energy, but also for the building of white and red blood cells. It also metabolizes proteins, offers stress resistance and aids immune functioning.
While it is common knowledge that Vitamin C fights of colds and flu. It does other things as well. Vitamin C helps the immune system, maintains teeth and gums, gives cell protection, psychological functioning - nervous system functioning maintenance, enhances iron absorption, aids digestion, blood cell formation, accelerates wound healing, produces collagen - helps maintain youthful skin elasticity.
Stay out of the Sun
These days we are told to stay out of the sun, or minimize exposure to direct sunlight. Vitamin D plays a vital role in your health and well-being. A natural source of Vitamin D is sunlight. Vitamin D, helps build healthy bones, critical for the immune system, plays important role in energy levels; moods, heart, nerves, skin, teeth, and supports the thyroid gland. You’ll get a good dose of the D vitamin you need from sweet potatoes.
It is high and long exposure to ultra violet light that is dangerous. And companies have played that fear so well. In the form of selling sunscreens, which are dangerous. There has been a high increase in skin diseases and conditions since this brainwashing. Read what sunscreens are made of that you are rubbing into your skin (your body). Your skin is the largest organ of your body. Did you know that?
Good news for Diabetics
Sweet potatoes do not cause a spike in blood sugar levels. Their sugars are natural and slow releasing creating a balance of energy in the bloodstream. Without links to fatigue and weight increase.
Ordinary potatoes are high on the glycemic index.
Sweet potatoes rank lower, are higher in fiber, leaving you feeling fuller longer, have fewer calories and carbs and improve insulin resistance.
Sweet potatoes have the ability to potentially improve blood sugar regulation in persons with type 2 diabetes. Extracts from sweet potatoes increases levels of a protein called adiponectin in the blood. Adiponectin is an important modifier of insulin metabolism.
Adding 3-5 grams of good fat, such as extra virgin olive oil with meals, increases the intake of beta-carotene from sweet potatoes. Beta-carotene being an antioxidant beneficial for your eyes.
Partner in the Anti Ageing Process
A unique storage protein, sporamins, in sweet potatoes, has unique antioxidant properties helping prevent oxidative damage to your cells.
Beta-carotene is more prevalent in orange sweet potatoes and is a strong antioxidant helping to fend of illness, some cancers and eye disease.
Homocysteine is a chemical linked to degenerative conditions of the heart, and heart attacks. Sweet potatoes are high in Vitamin B6, which reduces homocysteine.
Good for the Brain
Studies involved with beta-carotene found that it improved cognitive function in men, boosting verbal memory.
Cancer Fighter
Scientists discovered a unique protein in these colorful delights called a protease inhibitor. Tests conducted with cancer cells using this protease inhibitor showed a slowing and halting of growth.
Good for the Kidneys
A ten-year study; Japan Collaborative Cohort Study (JACC). Tested 47,997 males, 66,520 females, all in the 40 plus years of age group. These people had a good quantity of sweet potatoes in their diet. The Study found a decreased risk of kidney disease.
Cooking
7-minute steaming minimizes the affect of heating. And is an excellent way of preserving anthocyanin in sweet potatoes. Oven baking is also good.
You can also allow them to cool then add to salads.
Don’t buy sweet potatoes from the refrigerated section of the supermarkets. And do not store in the refrigerator. Keep in a cool darker ventilated place.
Well that was a mouthful to swallow, hope you enjoyed this article and it was of benefit to you.
Recent Comments
3
Thanks for this Michael. I love them, especially with the skin on and a bit of cinnamon sugar!