Nutritional Value of a Sweet Potato

The sweet potato is an extremely healthy food. Excellent for people from infancy to elderly, it offers more vitamins and minerals than a raw carrot. Recent studies have revealed this power-packed food aids in everything from digestion to body building.

Super Food

According to an article published by the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission, the Nutrition Action Health Letter rated 58 vegetables by adding up the percentages of the U.S. recommended daily allowance (USRDA) for six nutrients (vitamins A and C, foliate, iron, copper and calcium), plus fiber. The sweet potato "topped the list with a whopping 582 points; its nearest competitor, a raw carrot, came in at 434." This sweet, super food is fat-free and contains 769 percent of the daily value of vitamin A and 65 percent of vitamin C in a 1-cup serving. It even contains 4 grams of protein per serving, a nutrient that very few vegetables contain.

Hypo-Allergenic

Sweet potatoes are safe enough to be served to infants at 6 months old, and for many children they quickly become their favorite food. The high fiber in sweet potatoes also assists babies with early digestion, ensuring a smooth transition to solid foods.

Immune System

Sweet potatoes contain high amounts of beta carotene, a natural antioxidant, offering a strong defense against free radicals and disease. Sweet potatoes also contain high amounts of vitamin C, vitamin B and phosphorus, making them a powerful tool against infection.

Arthritis Relief

Sweet potatoes contain high amounts of magnesium, zinc and B-vitamins, nutrients that have been shown to increase arthritis healing and relieve the pain and swelling. The advantages of sweet potatoes for arthritis sufferers are so well known that they were listed as an arthritis treatment in a recent article published by the "Today" show.

Weight Gain

For those who desire a bulkier physique, sweet potatoes are an excellent food choice. Along with their high vitamin content, sweet potatoes contain complex starches, which are excellent for boosting strength and energy. Sweet potatoes' fiber content also makes them easily digestible.

References

• Nutritional Information
• Wholesome Baby Food
• Organic Facts

Resources

• Food Cures for Arthritis