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"Sweet potatoes are a powerhouse of nutrition and an excellent addition to nearly any diet. The antioxidants in the tuberous vegetable contain many health benefits, including by boosting the immune system, fighting cancer, and improving gut, heart, and eye health, and more. Surprisingly, boiling retains most nutrients and is one of the best ways to cook sweet potatoes."
Sweet potato has been a staple crop in Hawaii for centuries, with state growers exporting millions of pounds of it to the continental U.S. each year, according to the Hawai'i 'Ulu Cooperative website. Not only is this hardy tuber drought-resistant, but it also makes excellent ground cover for newly established agroforestry systems. They also make great substitutes for imported starches, and may be used to create beverages and a variety of foods.
About 25 different varieties of Hawaiian sweet potato exist today, with their skin and flesh ranging in color from orange and red to white, according to the National Tropical Botanical Garden website
8 Benefits of Sweet Potatoes
1. Contain dietary fibers, which act as prebiotics to stimulate healthy gut bacteria growth.
2. Contain carotenoids, tocopherols, phenolic compounds, tannins, gavonoids, sabonins and anthocyanins. These chemicals help the body fight disease and boost its immune system.
3. Contain phytochemicals that can help prevent cancer.
4. Contain polyphenolic compounds, which protect eye and retinal health.
5. Contain antioxidants that have memory-enhancing effects, according to human studies.
6. Help to reduce inflammation, which decreases risks for autoimmune diseases, depression, cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure and more.
7. Dietary fiber also helps to improve heart health.
8. Could also improve blood sugar levels, according to a study.
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