Nutrients In Sweet Potato
The root crops or tubers and the leaves of sweet potato contain many nutrients essential to good health. Sweet potato is three times more nutritious than white potato, and cheaper too.
Sweet potato contains carbohydrate, protein, vitamins and minerals. It is rich in iron and is good in treating anemia. The decoction of its leaves and stem is good in raising and normalizing blood platelet count in dengue patients.
Sweet potato is rich in carbohydrates. The natural sugar or glucose from carbohydrate is the main nutrient of the brain, and it also provides energy for the body. Sweet potato has a carminative effect on the body: it expels excess gas from the stomach as flatulence.
Sweet potato contains polyphenol, a powerful antioxidant to combat stress that may cause diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Besides polyphenol, sweet potato also contains vitamin A, and vitamin C which are powerful antioxidants that not only delay and reverse the process of aging but also boost the immune system to fight diseases including cancer.
Sweet potato contains potassium which is very important in the maintenance of proper acid-alkaline balance in the blood and tissues. Potassium is essential for muscle contraction, and it helps the kidney to detoxify the blood. It prevents over-acidity, which is the precursor of so many diseases.
Sweet potato is also rich in magnesium. This mineral is crucial in many bodily functions, such as cellular replication, energy production, and protein formation. It participates in more than 300 enzyme reactions in the body, and operates as a catalyst in many functions including the production of the very crucial ATP.
Zinc is also found in sweet potato. This mineral is extremely important during fetal development, where a deficiency during this period can cause premature birth, growth retardation, and low birth weight. It is needed in the formation of DNA and RNA, and in the synthesis of proteins. It is very helpful in treating Alzheimer’s disease, Wilson’s disease, macular degeneration, and acne. Zinc also prevents night blindness, hair loss, epilepsy, and osteoporosis.
Like most root crops or tubers, sweet potato contains sulfur. This mineral is needed in the formation of four amino acids: glutathione, methionine, taurine, and cysteine. Sulfur is important for healthy hair, skin and nails, and protects against the harmful effects of pollution and radiation. It disinfect the blood and protects cell protoplasm. It is also important in the utilization of oxygen by the body.
Sweet potato also contains other vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B1 (thiamin), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), calcium, copper, manganese, sodium, phosphorus, aluminum and boron. The B vitamins are very important for the brain and the nervous system. Calcium and phosphorus work together to build strong bones and teeth. Sodium is an important electrolyte that works together with potassium in the proper maintenance of acid-alkaline balance in blood and tissues. Manganese aids in the formation of mother’s milk, and is involved in the reproduction and mammary gland functions. Boron prevents postmenopausal osteoporosis, enhances brain functions, and promotes alertness.