Sweet potatoes are a staple in many kitchens. It is a starchy root tuber that has an edible orange flesh. While it is a distant cousin of the white potato from the Americas, it is not a yam which is a distinct tuber from Africa. Predominantly cultivated in China and the east, sweet potatoes are used for their rich energy profile to feed humans and cattle.
Nutritionally, sweet potatoes are loaded with energy in the form of complex carbohydrates. Fiber is found in good volume making this food a good gut bacteria food.
What makes this sweet potato so special is the micronutrient profile. The orange color is the tell tale sign that this is a vitamin A rich food. In undernourished areas of the world, this is a staple for reducing night blindness. Vitamin A volumes in 3 ounces of sweet potato meets an adults needs for the day from one food source. It is also high in vitamin C, manganese, B6. There are nice, albeit less, volumes of many other vitamins and minerals.
It is not in the nightshade family, therefore, not associated with joint pains in susceptible individuals.
In this table, there is a nice comparison of the major staple starch foods for their macro and micronutrient makeup. Pay attention to the energy per 100 grams of these foods. Sweet potatoes are a nice food to consume without overloading your carbohydrate budget. A better choice for diabetics as well.
Fiber contents of the average American diet is woefully inadequate at 20% of expected by historical and health standards making the sweet potato a nice addition to a whole and balanced diet.
Orange is a nice color,
Dr. M
