One of the benefits of sweet potatoes in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is to
support healthy digestion. Being a root vegetable they benefit the Stomach and Spleen, the organs associated with Earth and digestion. Energetically cooling in nature, sweet potatoes are used to detoxify the body, increase the production of milk in lactating women, and to aid in the treatment of bloody stools, diarrhoea, constipation, jaundice, oedema, night blindness and diabetes. Their antioxidant content protects against inflammation that can result in arthritis and asthma and helps prevent the cholesterol build-up in the arteries.
From both a Western and an Eastern perspective, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes are packed with nutritional gems:
Beta-Carotene, which is converted by the body into vitamin A.
Vitamin A - Important for bone growth and vision, Helps produce white blood cells to fight off viruses and bacteria. (Great for cold and flu season).
One medium-sized sweet potato offers over 400% of your daily Vitamin A intake!
Vitamin C and E - C will help as a defence during cold and flu season, E for healthy smooth skin.
Low Glycemic Index which helps regulate blood sugar