Sweet Potato: A Powerful Anti-Aging Crop
Sweet potatoes have anti-oxidants that are known to protect our bodies from degenerative diseases. This plant is also recognized for its powerful anti-aging properties.
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The study made by the Food and Fertilizer Technology Center (FFTC) in Taiwan and by the Rural Development Administration (RDA) of South Korea affirmed that sweet potatoes contain antioxidants such as chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid and caffeic acid. Antioxidants which are mostly present in fruits and vegetables are phytochemicals that neutralize the free radicals generated by the body in its normal course of metabolism. Free radicals on the other hand are toxic by-products of metabolism. If free radicals are not neutralized, it can damage our cells and contribute to aging and diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart diseases, stroke and the like.
The root crops as well as the leaves of sweet potatoes both have anti-oxidant properties but the concentration of which are found in the leaves. It contain vitamin A and C, protein, lipids, calcium, carbohydrates, iron, phosphorus and relatively low in calories and have no fat. The plant is also very rich in anti-aging nutrients particularly beta-carotene having five times the recommended daily allowance for Vitamin A.
A 3.5 ounce of baked sweet potato will provide you with the following nutritional values:
- 141 calories
- 8,800 IU of vitamin A
- 42 % of the RDA for vitamin C
- 6 % of the RDA for calcium
- 10 % of the RDA for iron
- 8 % of the RDA for thiamine
However, sweet potatoes are considered poor man’s crop and usually associated during hard times. In fact, this crop is becoming less popular in affluent countries. For instance, an average American in 1920’s used to consume 13 kg of sweet potatoes per year as compared to the latest data of only 1.5 – 2 kg per year.
With the above benefits, we should start putting this plant back into our daily menus… regardless of our financial stature.
Image via Wikipedia
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Unofre Pili | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
This is definitely worth-doin’, Thanks…
MJPatrick | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
Mouth watering photo, camote tops salad in the morning lovely. My son’s fav, he always say ‘wow yummy’ if this recipe is serve on the table. But they recon sweet potato make you fart alot…lol. great tips!
papaleng | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
a very informative article i do like Sweet potatoes, and just like what Mj said, “mapapautot ka talaga”. LOL
Karen Gross | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
I started buying sweet potato to make baby food. When the kids got older, I served it several times mashed with brown sugar, and they wouldn’t eat it. They would eat raw pieces while I was cutting it up, so now I don’t bother cooking it. I just serve it cut into sticks like carrots.
Anne McNew | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
absolutely great tips here JM.
Morgana | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
I love sweet potatoes. I eat them all the time, glad to know it is so beneficial.
Judy Sheldon | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
I have always wanted to taste sweet potatoes. We only have yams in the states and many times they are mistakenly called sweet potatoes, so then they are labeled twice; once as sweet potatoes and once as yams. It struck me as curious so I looked them up on World’s Healthiest Foods and wrote my article about the difference between the two.
You are right about the sweet potatoes being very nutritious. Thanks for sharing & G♥d bless.
rutherfranc | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
how about that! I`m eating something healthy afterall.. I love those sweet potatoes.. thanks!
CutestPrincess | Mar 2, 2009 | Reply
oh, i eat all those food in your list, thats why im still look young! hehe
BC Doan | Mar 3, 2009 | Reply
I love sweet potatoes! Very informative article Joshua!
Likha | Mar 3, 2009 | Reply
I love them as camote cue. Never mind the excessive sugar.
JK Kristie | Mar 3, 2009 | Reply
Cool! I better have a weekly supply in my kitchen.
Jo Oliver | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
Great info. Do fried sweet potato fries count
nobert soloria bermosa | Mar 10, 2009 | Reply
thanks for using my photo,nice one
Lindenmarie | Mar 10, 2009 | Reply
my parents showed us another way of cooking sweet potato, that is by mixing it with rice. this was very common during the war, they said.
findingDulcinea | Mar 10, 2009 | Reply
You did not mention that sweet potatoes, particularly with the skin on, are one of the very best sources of potassium. And yes, I eat them as fries, although baked, not fried.
Bren Parks | Mar 10, 2009 | Reply
Yes, potatoes are very healthful….and so many types to choose from.
Juancav | Mar 10, 2009 | Reply
Vegetables are healthy and tasty.
The Quail | Mar 11, 2009 | Reply
Very informative article;very well written.
poddys | Mar 11, 2009 | Reply
Great article, I love sweet potatoes.
TechDoc | Mar 12, 2009 | Reply
The little purple ones known as yams in New Zealand are without doubt the best of all of the sweet potatoes. When roasted they really are heavenyl
thestickman | Mar 12, 2009 | Reply
I believe that “yams” are not grown in the States, -the growing season is not long enough. They tend to be imported from countries like Africa. I am more sure that this is the case with Canada, anyway.
Sweet potatoes do have more nutrients than yams. Have you ever tried making ’sweet potato french-fries?’ Washed, peeled and sliced into the familiar fries shape, dipped or sprayed with cooking oil and sprinkled with seasoned bread-crumbs & salted, laid upon a foil-lined baking pan and to the over at 350~F for 20-mins. or until fries are soft and slightly crunchy.
-Good stuff!!
-thestickman
Mr Ghaz | Mar 12, 2009 | Reply
Excellent! well-written and very informative article abt healthy food-nutrition…I loved potato too..its healthy food.. not deep-fried potato chips..Thanx 4 sharing
Cheryl Sills | Mar 21, 2009 | Reply
We eat sweet potatoes and yams several times a week. Yams are grown in Louisiana. Outback Restaurant serves sweet potatoes with their entrees. Good article. Thank you.
HelloMickey | Apr 1, 2009 | Reply
I don’t know sweet potatoes help anti-aging. Thanks for your article. I love sweet potatoes, and I agree that many people thinks sweet potatoes are poor man’s crop, but I eat them regardless of its price!
eddiego65 | May 16, 2009 | Reply
Very informative piece. Thanks!