Check out some health benefits of Sweet Potatoes and a great Sweet Potato Hummus Recipe. Maybe this recipe will be added to your Thanksgiving menu? Sweet potatoes are an excellent and inexpensive staple to have on hand. These deep orange-fleshed nutritional powerhouses add several important components to the diet. Superior fiber content Sweet potatoes contain almost twice as much fiber as other types of potatoes. Contributing close to 7 grams of fiber per serving, they make an excellent starchy addition to any meal. The high fiber content gives them a slow burning quality. This basically means their caloric energy is used more slowly and efficiently than a low-fiber carbohydrate. Heart-healthy They contain a large amount of vitamin B6. This vitamin is crucial in breaking down a substance called homocysteine, which contributes to hardening of the arteries and blood vessels. Vitamin B6 helps keep the walls of these important blood passageways flexible and healthy which allows blood to flow freely. High Amounts of Potassium In addition, sweet potatoes contain high amounts of potassium. Potassium plays an important role in lowering blood pressure by ridding the body of excess sodium and regulating fluid balance. It is also an important electrolyte that helps regulate the natural rhythm of the heart, and maintains normal function of the brain and central nervous system. Rich in beta-carotene Beta-carotene or vitamin A is an important antioxidant. One medium sweet potato provides your body with the complete recommended daily allowance of vitamin A and then some. Vitamin A is useful in the prevention of several different types of cancer as it is one of the most potent antioxidants out there. Beta-carotene also helps to internally protect your skin from sun damage by both deflecting and repairing cell damage caused by excessive UV exposure. It also is an excellent nutrient for eye health and has been linked to prevention of vision loss and macular degeneration. A great source of manganese Manganese is a little-discussed trace mineral that has some great health benefits. It is a pivotal component in the metabolism of carbohydrates which helps support healthy blood sugar levels. This can help stabilize the appetite for hours as opposed to the temporary satisfaction that comes with most other carbohydrates. It also is a co-factor in enzymes that play an important role in the generation of energy as well as the efficient utilization of antioxidants. It is used for the treatment of anemia and is useful as a treatment for several premenstrual symptoms in women as well. Rich in vitamins C and E As if being one of the top vegetable sources of beta-carotene werent enough, sweet potatoes are also rich in vitamins C and E. These are potent antioxidant vitamins that play an important role in disease prevention and longevity. Both vitamins also play a huge role in the health and beauty of your skin and hair, making them popular supplements. The combination of beta-carotene, vitamin E and vitamin C in one food makes the sweet potato one heck of a beauty food. These nutrients all contribute to a healthy, glowing complexion and vibrant hair. Source of above information: naturalnews/035739_sweet_potatoes_beta-carotene_nutrients.html#ixzz2kCJ6Tmf5 Here is a favorite Hummus Recipe to share.... Sweet Potato Hummus 6 servings Ingredients (use vegan versions): 1 medium cooked sweet potato 1 cup garbanzo beans 2 tablespoons tahini 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon lemon juice 2 teaspoons coconut aminos* 1 teaspoon cumin 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon coriander 1 small clove garlic black pepper and sea salt, to taste toasted almonds, for topping Directions: 1. Combine all above ingredients (except toasted almonds) into a food processor. 2. Process ingredients until smooth. 3. Top with toasted almonds. *Coconut aminos is a substitute for Braggs aminos or soy sauce. It has a nice fruity/smoky taste, hard to describe, but it goes very nicely with the sweet potato. If you dont have coconut aminos, substitute coconut oil for the olive oil, and add only 1 teaspoon soy sauce (coconut aminos is less strong). Recipe Source of Inspiration: vegweb/index.php?topic=37457.0
Posted on: Sun, 10 Nov 2013 00:31:25 +0000
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