How Sweet it Is!

Have you noticed that most restaurants now offer a choice of traditional white potato fries or sweet potato fries? Although it may not necessarily be a healthy food swap in your local “greasy spoon,” this sweet orange tuber truly does come packed with a number of health benefits, including:

• ANTIOXIDANT
• ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
• HEALING PEPTIC ULCERS

As is evidenced by their color, sweet potatoes are high in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that is converted to Vitamin A in the body. In general, the darker the variety, the higher the concentration of beta-carotene. Vitamin A is vital for maintaining healthy tissues as well as supporting the immune system, bone development, eye health and protecting nerve fibers.

We all know the importance of Vitamin C for the immune system, skin health, wound healing and even brain function, and sweet potatoes are a good source.  They are also a good source of Vitamin B6 which is required for more than one hundred enzymes involved in protein metabolism.

Sweet potatoes also contain a good amount of fiber which most Americans do not get enough of on a daily basis.  A medium sized kumara (another word for sweet potato) contains approximately 1.8 grams of soluble fiber to keep you satiated and 2.2 grams of insoluble fiber to help keep your digestive system moving.

When we think about a good source of potassium, bananas generally come to mind first. But did you know that one cup of sweet potatoes has twice the amount of potassium as a medium banana? A deficiency in potassium can result in fatigue, muscle cramps, and dizziness. Studies show that potassium has the ability to lower blood pressure, reduce cardiovascular disease, manage hypercalciuria and kidney stones, and possibly decrease the risk of osteoporosis and the development of diabetes.

Research has also found that sweet potatoes have a “potent ulcer healing effect,” particularly in the case of peptic ulcers! Read more: New Studies Prove Sweet Potatoes HEAL Stomach Ulcers!

Sweet potatoes contain storage proteins called sporamins, which have been identified as an antioxidant compound.

Did you know that there is such a thing as purple sweet potatoes?

It’s true! They contain the same pigment that gives strawberries and cherries their red color, and they contain 3 times the antioxidant activity of blueberries!

And for the record, sweet potatoes come in a few other colors as well!  In addition to orange and purple, their skin can be white, yellow, brown or red.  And the color variations aren’t just on the surface.  Think orange, purple, white or yellow interiors.

Knowing all of the amazing benefits of these sweet colorful spuds, it is no wonder that they are high on the list of superfoods!

Bet you didn’t think Sweet Potatoes would make a good smoothie…well I’m sure this Sweet Potato Smoothie will make you think again!

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup cooked and chilled Sweet Potato
• 1/2 cup Mango slices
• 1/2 cup Coconut Milk
• 1 full teaspoon ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg
• Pinch of fresh ground Ginger

Recommended Additions & Substitutions:

• 1/4 cup cooked & chilled Carrots
• 1/2 teaspoon of Anise Extract
• Almond, Soy (If you choose soy, please only use organic), or Whole Milk
• Vanilla Yogurt

Combine all ingredients (always organic for optimal health) in the blender and enjoy!

I’d love to hear what you think!

Dr. Michelle Kmiec

is a board-certified Chiropractic Physician and Life Coach who also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology, and a minor in Medical Research. She is a life-long athlete who after curing herself 100% naturally from MS and anxiety, became an avid nutrition health researcher/promoter.

She has been featured in many Health magazines and has been a guest on radio talk shows in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia. She is the author of Health Freedom Revolution: Exposing the Lies, Deceit and Greed of the Medical Profession, Founder of Online Holistic Health, and a contributing writer for other popular informative health website/blogs.

She is the host of Holistic Health Radio – where she discusses how she recovered her health as well as other hot health topics, and she is also co-founder of Crazy Meets Common Sense! –  The Podcast that Makes Sense Out of the Crazy, to Help You Live a More Healthy, Fulfilling and Empowering Life!