Diet Sweet potato consumption can prevent numerous diseases

Tasty sweet potato: Why the tubers are so healthy

The sweet potato, originally from the tropics, is cultivated in Germany as well. The tasty tuber can be prepared in many ways, even raw it can be eaten. The consumption of sweet potatoes also brings some health benefits. Above all, a particular substance is responsible for this.

Delicious powerfood

Sweet potatoes, which are also called Batate, are now no longer found only in the vegetable counters of health food stores but also increasingly in well-stocked supermarkets. In restaurants, they are often offered as a fried side dish to hamburgers. But you can enjoy the delicious and healthy tuber in another form. There are good reasons why the vegetables are becoming more and more popular as a real "powerfood".

Sweet potatoes are not only delicious, they are also very healthy. According to scientific research, they should even be able to protect against diseases such as diabetes. (Image: karepa / fotolia.com)

Full of important minerals and vitamins

Like the traditional table potato, the potato contains important minerals such as potassium, zinc, calcium and many vitamins.

"The proportions of beta-carotene and vitamin A are higher with sweet potatoes. Potatoes provide more folic acid and phosphorus, "explains Silke Noll, nutrition expert of the Consumer Center Bavaria, in a statement.

The batata also contains many healthy phytochemicals. The sweet potato owes its pink to yellow-orange or violet color antioxidants such as the carotenoids and anthocyanins, which also have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Due to its increased fiber content, the Batate is also a good satiety.

A very special substance

A substance contained in the sweet potato has a very special health-promoting effect: Caiapo.

This substance, which is mainly contained in the shell of the Batate, is said to counteract diseases such as anemia, hypertension and diabetes.

This effect has already been researched by scientists of the CNR (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, National Research Council of Italy in Padua) and experts of the University of Vienna.

Researchers found that Caiapo's fasting blood sugar levels fell in people with type II diabetes.

In addition, cholesterol levels dropped and blood levels improved. Overall, a better state of health of the study participants was observed.

The results were published in the journal Diabetes Care.

Sweet potatoes are not related to potatoes

Sweet potatoes and ware potatoes look similar but are not related botanically. Both are originally from South America.

"The potato is one of the nightshade plants and tolerates our domestic, rather cool climate," said Noll of the consumer center Bavaria.

The sweet potato, however, is a wind plant and thrives best in a warm tropical climate. However, it is now also grown in this country.

Shorter cooking time

The taste of sweet potatoes is a mix of pumpkin, carrot and potato. They contain more starch and taste as the name suggests sweeter.

Often, the tuber is processed into sweet potato fries, but you can also enjoy it in other ways.

Batatoes can be boiled, roasted, baked and pureed. The cooking time is about one third shorter.

Unlike ware potatoes, sweet potatoes can also be served raw as finger food or in lettuce.

This is how the tuber can be refined

Depending on the dish, the tuber can be refined with a little salt, coriander, ginger, coconut oil, chili or a few lime splashes. Incidentally, the same applies to potatos as to the conventional potato: the shell can be eaten along with it.

When shopping, make sure that sweet potatoes do not have wet or soft spots. This could be an indication of germs. Small to medium-sized tubers are usually tender, thick rather fibrous.

Sweet potatoes should not be stored in the refrigerator, but at room temperature in an airy-dry, light-protected place. When stored optimally, they will last at least two to three weeks. (Ad)