Purple sweet potato is also known as Peruvian sweet potato because it is native to South America, the scientific name is Solanum andigenum. Purple sweet potato is a herbaceous perennial vine with staggered, heart-shaped or lobed leaves. The tubers are oblong, have a smooth skin that is purple (also black, brown, white or yellow) and there are hundreds of different species. Depending on the variety of potato, its tubers have different sizes, sweetness and aroma. Purple sweet potatoes like Japan are grown in many districts of Tam Binh, Binh Tan… Vinh Long province. Recently, purple sweet potato has become a favorite dish of many people.
Purple sweet potato field in Vinh Long
NUTRITIONAL VALUES OF PLANTS
Chemical composition in 100g of fresh purple sweet potato:
Calories: 120kcal
Carbohydrates: 27g
Fiber: 4g
Calcium: 20mg
Vitamin A: 100g
Vitamin C: 12g
In addition, purple sweet potatoes also contain a large amount of other substances such as iron, sodium, protein, anthocyanins, …
Uses of Purple Sweet Potato
Provides antioxidants
In the composition of purple sweet potato contains vitamin C and anthocyanin, which are two substances with high antioxidant properties. These antioxidants help protect the body’s cells from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals.
Some studies have shown that the body’s antioxidant levels increase by up to 35% when the body consumes more vitamin C, thereby helping to protect against oxidative cell damage.
Supports blood sugar control
One test-tube study observed that purple sweet potatoes are rich in flavonoids, which have the potential to reduce oxidative stress and insulin resistance by protecting insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
In addition, the flavonoids in purple sweet potatoes may help promote blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes. Purple sweet potatoes also have a low glycemic index, which may help prevent spikes. changes in blood sugar.
Helps lower blood pressure
Researchers believe that the antioxidant content of purple sweet potatoes also helps them to lower blood sugar. This antioxidant in purple sweet potatoes has similar effects to common blood pressure-lowering drugs known as ACE inhibitors.
Add purple sweet potatoes to your side meals to help your body increase the content of good antioxidants for the body. However, saying that does not mean that purple sweet potato can replace medicine.
Improve symptoms of asthma
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, studies show that the vitamins A and C found in purple sweet potatoes can help reduce the risk and symptoms of asthma.
If a person has a low nutritional vitamin C intake, the incidence of asthma increases by more than 12%. Likewise, more than 40 studies have shown that people with common asthma only get about half the recommended amount of vitamin A for the day.
Therefore, when eating purple sweet potatoes is indirectly loaded with vitamins A and C for the body to fight the symptoms of asthma.
Helps promote gut health
Purple sweet potatoes contain resistant starch, which helps increase the growth of Bifidobacteria – a healthy bacteria that plays an important role in maintaining gut health.
These bacteria in the gut produce B vitamins, healthy fatty acids, and support the breakdown of complex carbs and fiber. This will help you have a healthy gut.
