Winter is the season when sweet potatoes are fragrant. Walking on the streets, you can often see small vendors selling roasted sweet potatoes, and the aroma hits you as they pass by, creating a rich and sweet taste. This article will explain the benefits of eating sweet potatoes.
Cancer prevention
The antioxidant properties of beta-carotene and vitamin C in sweet potatoes help to resist oxidative stress and protect genetic material, DNA, from damage, thus playing a role in preventing cancer. Eating sweet potatoes regularly helps maintain normal folate levels in the body, as low folate levels can increase the risk of cancer.
Preventing constipation
Sweet potatoes are rich in dietary fiber, which promotes gastrointestinal motility, prevents constipation, and helps prevent colon and rectal cancer.
Beneficial for the heart
Sweet potatoes are rich in potassium, beta-carotene, folate, vitamin C, and vitamin B6, all of which contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Potassium helps maintain fluid and electrolyte balance in the body, and normal blood pressure and heart function.
Aids in weight loss and beauty
Fresh sweet potatoes contain only 0.2 grams of fat and produce 99 calories of energy per 100 grams. They are low-fat and low-calorie foods that effectively prevent carbohydrates from turning into fat. Sweet potatoes are easy to create a feeling of fullness, making them a good weight loss food whether consumed as a staple or a side dish.
Regulates the body's acid-alkaline balance
Sweet potatoes are alkaline foods because they contain more mineral cations after metabolism in the body. When the body is acidic, diseases are more likely to occur, so sweet potatoes are beneficial for maintaining the body's acid-alkaline balance.
Lowers blood pressure
The auxiliary antihypertensive effect of sweet potatoes is mainly attributed to their high potassium content. Potassium and sodium are important elements that affect blood pressure. Adequate potassium intake promotes the excretion of excess sodium in the blood. Consuming foods rich in potassium also helps maintain mineral balance in the body, ultimately contributing to lowering blood pressure.
