Sweet potatoes – also called batate – are known for their orange, purple or white flesh and sweet taste. The elongated tubers can grow much larger than regular potatoes. Although sweet potatoes are a bindweed and potatoes are a nightshade, so the two tubers are not botanical relatives, they are often compared. This also applies to their nutritional value. They are the perfect boost to enjoy https://22bet.com/.
HOW HEALTHY IS IT?
Is the sweet potato healthier than the regular potato?
Although they taste sweeter than potatoes and contain more sugar, sweet potatoes are slow to raise blood sugar levels. According to studies, this is due to the sweet potato’s skin, which contains the substance caiapo. This is said to help lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels in type 2 diabetes. Particularly for Diabetiker:innen sweet potatoes are thus a recommendable choice. That can be potatoes however likewise, as nourishing scientists:inside clarify.
However, the healthy sweet potato has these points ahead of the normal potato:
Sweet potatoes contain more vitamin A and beta-carotene, which is good for vision and skin. The content of beta-carotene is even close to that of carrots.
Vitamin E is also abundant in healthy sweet potatoes and protects skin cells from aging. Just 100 grams of sweet potatoes cover one-third of an adult’s daily requirement of vitamin E.
Sweet potatoes contain slightly more satiating fiber than conventional potatoes.
Sweet potatoes are therefore full of good nutrients. But that’s also true of the humble healthy potato:
Potatoes are virtually fat-free, but rich in starch, fiber, vitamins (especially B vitamins and vitamin C), minerals and phytochemicals.
Red and blue potato varieties also contain flavonoids and anthocyanins as colorants.
These phytochemicals can fight bacteria, viruses and fungi, lower cholesterol levels, have anti-inflammatory effects, and have positive effects on blood sugar levels and the body’s immune responses.
NUTRITIONAL VALUES AND CALORIES
Rounded nutritional values per 100 grams of sweet potatoes:
Calories: 117 kcal
Protein: 1.6 g
Carbohydrates: 24.1 g
Fat: 0.6 g
Dietary fiber: 3.1 g
Vitamins and beta-carotene:
Vitamin C: 30 mg
Vitamin E: 4,6 mg
Beta-carotene: 7887 µg
Minerals:
Iron: 0.7 mg
Zinc: 0.2 mg
Sodium: 4 mg
Potassium: 360 mg
Magnesium: 18 mg
Calcium: 22 mg
Sweet potatoes are therefore a high-fiber crop with little fat, but plenty of energy-giving carbohydrates. In addition, sweet potatoes are characterized by their high content of vitamins and minerals, especially calcium, vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene, which gives them their bright orange color.
THE CARBON FOOTPRINT
Healthy sweet potatoes need warm temperatures when growing. Healthy sweet potatoes are particularly popular in the U.S., so large growing areas exist in South America. However, about two-thirds of all sweet potatoes worldwide come from China. But the tubers also grow in Europe, for example in Spain. In Germany, there is still no cultivation of sweet potatoes in significant areas, because it is too cold for the tuber in this country. Therefore, sweet potatoes have to be transported long distances from warmer regions until they reach the local supermarkets. This is associated with high CO2 emissions.
In addition, sweet potatoes are unfortunately not pest-resistant. In the large global cultivation areas, fungal diseases and viruses in particular cause massive damage to the stocks, so that synthetic chemical pesticides have to be used, which pollute humans, animals and the environment. Therefore, it is best to choose sweet potatoes from controlled organic cultivation.
Yes, sweet potatoes are healthy – but so are their namesakes, conventional potatoes. So you can add them to your menu without hesitation as part of a balanced diet. But keep in mind that sweet potatoes are transported longer distances: Unlike potatoes, sweet potatoes are not available locally.
