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11. Stops Muscle Cramps
Those annoying leg cramps are often due to a lack of potassium. You can avoid most night time muscle cramps, as well as lessening your susceptibility to injury by making sweet potatoes a part of your regular diet.
12. Reduces Stress
Sweet potatoes are one of the best foods around to help the body deal with stress. When we feel stressed out, our metabolic rate increases, which causes our potassium levels to become reduced. Eating sweet potatoes will rebalance our body with this mineral and normalize our heart rates once again.
13. Outstanding Source Of Carotenoids
Beta-carotene and other carotenoids are a precursor to vitamin A. These carotenoids not only strengthen our eyesight, but they improve our immune system so that we can fight disease. Carotenoids are also powerful antioxidants that can protect us from early aging and even help to ward off certain types of cancer. In fact, one study done at Harvard University, involving more than 124,000 subjects, found that those who consumed a diet high in carotenoid rich foods had a 32 percent lower risk of developing lung cancer. Cancer protection, improved eyesight, and fewer wrinkles? Who doesn’t want more of that?! You can have all that and more by regularly adding sweet potatoes to your diet.
SEE ALSO: 15 Ways To NOT Get Cancer (#9 Saves Money, Too!)
14. Super Immune System Strengthener
Eating sweet potatoes regularly provides your body with tons of vitamins (such as C, E, and A) and minerals (such as magnesium and potassium) that help to support your immune system, strengthening it, and make you a walking, talking disease and virus-killing machine.
15. Magnificent Source Of Manganese
This is a little talked about trace mineral that has tremendous health benefits. This mineral is a vital component when it comes to metabolizing carbs, which helps support healthy blood sugar levels. More stable blood sugar levels means more stable appetite levels, without all the lows that leave you craving more sugar just a few hours after eating. This mineral is also a factor in enzymes that play a part in the generation of energy levels.
When buying sweet potatoes, it goes without saying that organic is always the way to go. You should also opt for darker colored varieties if they are available. The darker the veggie, the higher its beta-carotene content.
Avoid sweet potatoes that have a green hue to them as this means they contain a toxic compound called solanine. Look for sweet potatoes that are firm and have a smooth, not wrinkled, skin. Don’t leave your sweet potatoes wrapped in plastic; instead, store them in an open, cool, and dark location.
Don’t wait for the holidays to eat more sweet potatoes! Every season is sweet potato season!
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