On many American family tables the sweet potato is only found at holiday celebrations. If that is so in your house you are missing out on not only a delicious side dish, but also a great brain food.
Sweet potatoes should be eaten in place of white potatoes because they possess anti-inflammatory agents. They can be used in place of white potatoes in most recipes. They are rich in vitamin C, have more fiber than oatmeal, have more vitamin A than a cup of carrots, and have more potassium than a banana.
The orange color in a sweet potato tells you it is high in powerful antioxidants called carotenoids that boost your immune system and protect you against heart disease and cancer. Sweet potatoes are low in calories, high in potassium, and help to bring down blood pressure, which helps to prevent heart disease.
Sweet potatoes are also good for improving memory and other brain functions. Research has shown that the anti-inflammatory properties a sweet potato has helps memory, and is recommended as a preventative measure for those wishing to hold back memory problems from Alzheimer’s disease.
One of the most nutritious foods you can eat, the sweet potato helps preserve your memory, controls diabetes, and helps to reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. According to the LA Sweet Potato Commission, “sweet potatoes are more than just a filling food.â€
By slowing down the rate at which food is converted into glucose and then absorbed into the bloodstream, the fibers in sweet potatoes are excellent for diabetics.
Jean Mayer has been doing research on the value of B vitamins for the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston. According to Mayer, sweet potatoes not only keep you healthy, they contain good B vitamins, folate and vitamin B6 that are excellent brain-boosters as we age. Her research is promising that sweet potatoes are exceptional in boosting brain and memory.
As a shopping tip when purchasing sweet potatoes, choose the ones the most orange in color. These are the ones that contain the most beta-carotene and have the most nutritional value. When preparing, you can add a small pat of butter to help your potato because a little fat absorbs the vitamins better (but avoid syrup or marshmallows, however, if you want to lose weight).
About the author:
Ron White is a two-time U.S.A. Memory Champion and memory training expert. As a memory keynote speaker he travels the world to speak before large groups or small company seminars, demonstrating his memory skills and teaching others how to improve their memory, and how important a good memory is in all phases of your life.
Sources:
Chiff.com – The Healing Power of Sweet Potatoes, by June Mims: http://www.chiff.com/a/sweet-potato-health.htm
AARP Magazine – Sweet Potato Surprises, December 2011, pg. 26