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The sweet potato can be enjoyed all year and is a great alternative to the normal potato. The sweet potato contains many vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to the body.

Nutrition Information

One 77 gram sweet potato has over 262% of the daily requirement for vitamin A. This vegetable is also a good source of vitamin C, manganese, copper, dietary fiber, vitamin B6, and iron. One 77 gram sweet potato has around 95 calories.

Benefits To The Body

This sweet tasting vegetable is an excellent source of vitamin A. Sweet potatoes also contain antioxidants which help to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

The nutrients in sweet potatoes also help to reduce inflammation in the body and can be beneficial to those who suffer from conditions such as arthritis. Vitamin A has been shown to protect people who are exposed to second-hand smoke on a daily basis. Some smokers who consume large amounts of vitamin A foods may have better lung function then those who don't consume vitamin A rich foods.

Sweet potatoes also help protect the body from heart disease and cancers. Vitamin C in the potato helps to increase the immune function of the body. The sweet potato is also high in vitamin B6 which has been shown to lessen the chance of having a heart attack.

Other Information

There are about 400 different varieties of sweet potatoes. This vegetable comes in many different colors but the yellow-orange flesh potatoes are the most common. The darker the color of the vegetable the greater the beta carotene content of the potato. Sometimes the sweet potato is referred to as a yam.

This vegetable is native to Central America and is one of the world's oldest known vegetables. The vegetable dates back to prehistoric times and evidence has been found that shows it may have been consumed as many as 10,000 years ago.

When shopping for this vegetable, pick ones that are firm and free from cracks and other blemishes. The flesh of the skin will turn color when exposed to air so they should be cooked once they are cut up. Roasting the sweet potato may provide more nutritional benefits then boiling. Steaming the potato can also be done.

This potato can make a great alternative to french fries. Cut the potato into strips, bake in the oven with spices, and serve with a hamburger or fish. The vegetable can be used in pies or other baked dishes. It can be mashed like the traditional potato and served with meat.

The sweet potato is not just for special occasions like Thanksgiving. This vegetable can be enjoyed year round and provides many healthy benefits to the daily diet.

Learn more about this author, Brian Lamacraft.
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