As many of you may know, the vibrant color in sweet potatoes reflects their natural abundance of betacarotenes, that are readily available in every bite of what many find, as naturally sweet decadence. One of the key roles that betacarotenes play in the body, is they function as antioxidants to protect the body from free radical damage, resulting somewhat from normal cellular metabolism and also from environmental stressors. These factors collectively lead to oxidative stress in the body that ultimately, can damage our cells. Over time, this oxidative stress contributes to chronic diseases that have become unfortunately, commonplace in our fast paced, Westernized highly stressed society. Daily consumption of foods that are plentiful in antioxidants such as sweet potatoes, in conjunction with adequate sleep, helps to counter these negative effects on the body.
The bioavailability of betacarotenes are plentiful in sweet potatoes. This means that the body readily converts them to the active form of Vitamin A (retinol) as needed, making them a preferred source of vitamin A. This is a beautiful thing since one medium sweet potato supplies almost twice the adult recommended needs for vitamin A daily (as betacarotene). In regions where it is difficult to obtain adequate amounts of vitamin A, 4 ounces of sweet potatoes provides approximately the daily recommended amounts for children. Betacarotenes have also been long recognized as key components in preventing and treating various cancers, along with magnesium and vitamin C which are also readily available in sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes contain additional nutrients such as B-vitamins, phosphorus, calcium, potassium and more making them a valuable player in supporting overall health and wellness.
Anthocyanins are also plentiful in sweet potatoes and are well documented to help decrease inflammation in the body. Consumption of sweet potatoes in animal studies was shown to reduce inflammation of both brain tissue as well as nerve tissue throughout the body. In yet another study, a component from the skin of white sweet potatoes was shown to not only increase insulin sensitivity by increasing a protein known as adiponectin in the body, it was also found to decrease fibrinogen in the body. This discovery points to potential anti-atherogenic benefits associated with heart disease according to a study published in the Journal of Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. Fibrinogen is a protein that plays a role in blood clotting. The presence of excess amounts of fibrinogen in circulation have been associated with the breakdown of mylein. This is an issue for those people who suffer from Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Mylein is the lipid sheath that wraps around and insulates nerves and ensures efficient transmission of electrical impulses. Preliminary studies appear to show that phytonutrients present in sweet potatoes help to regulate the amount of fibrinogen in circulation.