Whenever I want to whip up something that’s fast, fuss-free, nutritious and does not require using the wok, I will cook a pot of porridge. Our favorite porridge is roasted pork ribs porridge. Sometimes I will toss in some sweet potatoes into the porridge. The sweet potatoes will make the pot of porridge sweeter and they are tasty too.

Besides, sweet potatoes are very nutritious and have a wide range of health benefits.

Sweet Potato Nutritional Benefits
Sweet potatoes, especially the deeper-colored ones, are extremely rich in carotenes (precursor of vitamin A). They are also an excellent source of vitamins C, B2, B6, E and biotin (B7).

They provide good amounts of manganese, folate (folic acid), copper and iron. It also has pantothenic acid and is rich in dietary fiber.

Sweet Potato Health Benefits

Sweet potatoes are excellent sources of plant proteins with very low calories. Unlike other starchy root vegetables, it is very low in sugar, and in fact is a good blood sugar regulator.

As an anti-oxidant: Sweet potatoes have been found to contain a high amount of anti-oxidant, making it suitable in combating inflammatory problems like asthma, arthritis, gout, etc.

Diabetes: This fibrous root is suitable for diabetics’ consumption as it is a very good blood sugar regulator, helps to stabilize and lower insulin resistance.

Digestive tract, healthy: The significant amount of dietary fiber, especially when eaten with the skin, helps to promote a healthy digestive tract, relieving constipation and also helps prevent colon cancer.

Emphysema: Smokers and people who inhale second-hand smoke should regularly consume foods high in vitamin A as smoke has been found to induce vitamin A deficiency, causing a host of other health problems to the lungs.

Fetal Development: The high folate content is important and necessary for healthy fetal cell and tissue development.

Immune System: Regular consumption of sweet potatoes strengthens the body’s immune system and develop resistance to infection.

Heart diseases: Consumption of this high potassium root helps to prevent heart attack and stroke. It helps maintain fluid and electrolyte balance in the body cells, as well as normal heart function and blood pressure.

Muscle Cramps: A deficiency in potassium can cause muscular cramps and greater susceptibility to injury. Make sweet potatoes a regular part of your diet if you exercise a lot, both for an energy boost and to prevent cramps and injuries.

Stress: When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, causing the body potassium levels to be reduced. By snacking on the potassium-packed sweet potato, it helps to rebalance the vital mineral, and helps normalize the heartbeat. This in turn sends oxygen to the brain and regulates the body’s water balance.

Food For Thought
Despite its name, the sweet potato really doesn’t belong to the same family as the potato, not even close. Potatoes are tubers, sweet potatoes are roots. I never knew that! I’ll bet you didn’t know that too eh?