Sweet potatoes are a delicious treat that has a plethora of health benefits. Sweet potatoes come in many shapes and colors and they are widely grown and consumed throughout the world. Sweet potatoes are nutritional powerhouses – they’re packed with essential vitamins and minerals. If you don’t like sweet potatoes, read on to find out a few fantastic reasons to eat sweet potatoes. Who knows, maybe you’ll change your mind and want to start eating them more often.

1. High in antioxidants

Sweet potatoes are plentiful in potent antioxidants. The anthocyanin in the purple sweet potatoes is one of the best antioxidants that sweet potatoes contain, and the beta carotene in the orange variety is another powerful antioxidant. Anthocyanin has anti-inflammatory properties and helps ward off many diseases. This is one of the undeniable reasons to eat sweet potatoes more often.

2. Rich in manganese

One medium sweet potato has 28 percent of your daily requirement of manganese, an important mineral that helps the body metabolize carbs and keeps you feeling energized longer. Manganese helps the body absorb other essential nutrients, and it helps keep your bones strong and healthy. Consuming sweet potatoes can help prevent manganese deficiency.

3. Excellent source of beta carotene

As I mentioned above, sweet potatoes are rich in beta carotene. One medium sweet potato contains more than 200 percent of your daily requirement of beta carotene. Perhaps you know that beta carotene is a crucial nutrient that your body converts into more important vitamin A, which keeps your eyes healthy and helps boost your immune system naturally.

4. Contain quercetin

Sweet potatoes contain many important nutrients, including quercetin. Quercetin is a major dietary flavonoid which is incredibly healthy and has many wonderful benefits. It helps lower LDL cholesterol and reduce inflammation. Moreover, it acts as a natural antihistamine that can help combat allergies, and can help people who suffer from seasonal or chronic allergies.

5. They help control blood sugar

Even though sweet potatoes contain carbohydrates, they can help manage blood sugar levels. Since sweet potatoes increase blood levels of adiponectin, they’re able to modify insulin metabolism that helps control blood sugar levels. Sweet potatoes are also rich in fiber, which means they slow the release of glucose into the bloodstream and can help prevent blood sugar spikes.

6. Sweet potatoes are good for your heart

Sweet potatoes are a fantastic source of potassium and vitamin B6 – two essential nutrients that are good for your heart. Potassium helps prevent high blood pressure and vitamin B6 helps break down homocysteine that can cause the hardening of the arteries and lead to cardiovascular disease. When you consume sweet potatoes, you get both potassium and vitamin B6, which are so essential for your heart.

7. Rich in vitamin C

When it comes to vitamin C, we often think of citrus fruits first. However, sweet potatoes are also high in vitamin C. A medium sweet potato contains about 40 percent of your daily requirement of vitamin C. It helps the body produce collagen that keeps your joints and skin healthy. Plus, it can help you cope with stress better.

8. Good source of Vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential for your immune system and overall health. It plays a vital role in your energy levels, helps improve your mood and build healthy bones. It also great for your heart, skin, and teeth. Eating sweet potato more often, not just on Thanksgiving, can help you avoid a vitamin D deficiency.

Sweet potatoes are an amazing food with a lot of healthy benefits. Incorporating this food into your healthy eating plan is an easy way to get the essential nutrients sweet potatoes provide. What are your favorite ways to consume sweet potatoes? Do you know some other reasons to eat more sweet potatoes?