Sweet potatoes (scientific name: Ipomoea batatas) are a tuberous starchy vegetable that grows underground. The tuber varies from purple or red to pale yellow or white colour, the abundance of beta-carotene concentration increases the colour. Sweet potatoes are a great source of fibre as well an array of vitamins and minerals including iron, calcium, selenium, Vitamin B and C. The prime nutritional importance of sweet potato is that they are a good source of antioxidant beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A, once consumed.

Explore Some Of The Health Benefits Of Sweet Potatoes

Promotes Digestion

The goodness of fibre and the high phytosterol content in sweet potatoes promotes a healthy digestive system and prevents duodenal and gastric ulcers.

Treat Inflammation

Sweet potatoes possess anti-inflammatory properties. The presence of beta-carotene, manganese, choline, vitamin B6 and C in sweet potatoes works as powerful antioxidants that help to reverse inflammation in the body.

Immune System booster

To defend your body against diseases, sweet potato is an ideal option. They are a good source of beta-carotene the antioxidant powerhouse, along with vitamin C and B complex, iron and phosphorus these nutrients help to strengthen the immune system and keeps you healthy.

Relieves Arthritis Pain

The abundance of beta-carotene, magnesium, zinc and vitamin B complex makes sweet potatoes a wonderful food for managing arthritis. Evidence suggests that eating more food rich in beta-cryptoxanthin lowers the risk of developing arthritis and other inflammatory ailments.

Prevents Cancer

Beta-carotene the most potent antioxidant and an anticarcinogenic compound is abundant in the peel of sweet potatoes. The beta-carotene and vitamin C present in sweet potatoes are very helpful in preventing several types of cancer -colon, intestines, prostate, and lungs.

Boost Metabolism

Sweet potatoes are loaded with an abundance of vital nutrients, one of its vital nutrients i.e. manganese, increases the metabolism and balances the blood sugar levels in the body.

Prevents Vitamin A Deficiency

Vitamin A plays a pivotal role in maintaining optimum vision, build healthy bones, maintain strong teeth, soft tissue and mucus membranes. Deficiency of Vitamin A can lead to several chronic ailments, and it needs to be addressed immediately. Sweet potatoes are loaded with beta-carotene which gets transformed into Vitamin A in the liver and help build robust immunity and keep infectious diseases at a bay.

Helps Manages Stress

Stress plays a havoc with ones mental and physical wellbeing. Though we often relate high stress levels to the mind, it can also be corrected by making certain changes to the diet plan. Magnesium is an essential mineral for normal functioning of the body besides bringing down levels of anxiety, depression especially in women. This wonder root vegetable can be of a great help if you are fighting insomnia. Include it in your daily diet along with jaggery to beat those sleepless nights.

Triggers Weight Loss

Sweet potatoes are a rich source of soluble fibre which can make you feel full for longer hours. The soluble dietary fibre pectin is extremely important for cutting down on the intake of food, trigger metabolism, and stimulate hormones which can kill mid-day hunger pangs. Just pack some boiled sweet potatoes in snack box or add it to your salad.

Try some of these sweet potato delights

Sweet potatoes can be roasted, pureed, steamed, baked, or grilled, add them to make delicious soups, stews, grill and salads. Enjoy the flavour of sweet potatoes grilled with onions and bell peppers for sandwich or wrap.

Shakarkandi Ki Chaat

Sweet Potato also known as Shakarkandi in Hindi is an incredible vegetable loaded with healthful nutrients that not only enhances your health but also extremely tasty to eat. Now in this lockdown period, with people trying out different types of recipes at home, preparing something healthy and tasty becomes quite difficult, specially when you have kids at home. Try this easy to prepare, Shakarkandi Ki Chaat at home as it is not only healthy but also delicious.

Ingredients:

1/2 Kg Shakarkandi

1 tbsp Cumin seeds powdered and roasted

1 tbsp Rock salt

1 tbsp Chaat masala

1 tbsp Chilli powder

2-3 Green chillies, finely chopped

½ cup Cubed cucumber

Few sprigs of Coriander leaves chopped for garnishing

½ tsp Lemon Juice

Method:

Peel, the sweet potatoes and slice them into small cubes.

Boil it and keep it aside.

In a large mixing bowl, add all the ingredients.

Mix it properly.

Add a dash of lemon juice to the mixture.

Serve it and relish the taste of sweet potato chaat.

Benefits:

Being highly nutritious, sweet potato is an excellent source of fibres, vitamins and minerals. While cucumber cools the body and aids in weight loss, coriander leaves promote digestion and gut health. Lemon juice enriched with antioxidants is not only good for the skin but also prevents kidney stones.