Sweet potatoes are an incredibly nutrient dense starchy root vegetable that can be a great addition to many meals.
Sweet potatoes are very high in both soluble and insoluble fiber, which are important for overall health. Fiber helps promote regularity, balance blood sugar, and feeds the beneficial bacteria in our gut.
Orange and purple sweet potatoes are also high in antioxidants such as anthocyanin which may be protective against certain cancers. Sweet potatoes are also extremely high in beta carotene, the pigment responsible for giving sweet potatoes an orange color. Beta carotene is converted in the body to vitamin A, which is essential for eye health, immune function, and is key for maintaining healthy mucous membranes in the lining of the gut.
There is some confusion surrounding the health benefits of sweet potatoes as compared to regular potatoes. While both are nutritious parts of a balanced diet, and contain comparable amounts of carbohydrates, protein, and fat, they differ slightly in their nutrient content. Sweet potatoes are higher in fiber, vitamins A, B6, C and calcium, while regular potatoes are higher in potassium.
Both kinds of potatoes can be prepared in many delicious ways and contribute to a healthy diet!
(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23784800/)
