Sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are large, starchy, sweet-tasting vegetables. They actually belong to the morning glory family.
Despite the shared name, sweet potatoes are only distantly related to the potatoes used to make French fries or potato chips. Non-sweet potatoes (including red, white, and Yukon gold varieties) are part of the edible nightshade family. Other members include tomatoes, tomatillos, eggplants, peppers, pimentos, and Goji berries.
Sweet potatoes are root tubers.
Sweet potatoes are high in fiber, vitamin C, potassium, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), niacin (vitamin B3), vitamin B6, manganese, magnesium, and copper.
They get their orange color from beta-carotene, which is a pigment and antioxidant. Sweet potatoes also contain a modest but helpful amount of protein — around four grams per cup when cooked.
When compared to white potatoes, sweet potatoes offer more vitamins and antioxidants.
But the greatest sweet potato nutritional glory of all may be its rich supply of vitamin A. A single sweet potato offers over double the daily value for vitamin A.
Sweet Potato Health Benefits
- Keep Your Heart Healthy
- Help Stabilize Blood Sugar
- Boost Your Immunity
- Good for Your Eyes
- Fuel Your Brain
- Help Ease Stress and Anxiety
- Help Boost Fertility
- Help Fight Cancer
- Have Anti-Inflammatory Effects
