In ancient times, before our world was as we know it today, there was a large continent that was dominated by dense forests and large lakes. This is the continent of South America. It is in this continent that the sweet potato began its long journey to spread throughout the world.
The first humans to cultivate and eat sweet potatoes were the South American tribes. They discovered this sweet and nutritious root growing in the wild and realized that it could be a very good food. For thousands of years, they cultivated and improved this type of plant, obtaining different varieties of sweet potatoes, each with its own unique taste and color.
A Journey of Discovery
During the 16th century, when sailors from Europe began their journeys to discover the new world, they encountered sweet potatoes in Peru. They were impressed by its taste and its ability to be stored for a long time, so they took this plant to their countries.
From Europe, sweet potatoes began to spread to different parts of the world where the Spanish took the sweet potato to the Philippines, while the Portuguese took it to Africa. The British and French also had a great contribution in spreading this crop in their colonies.
Sweet potato today:
Today, sweet potatoes are one of the most important crops in the world. It is cultivated on all continents, except Antarctica. There are many varieties of sweet potatoes, each with its own special characteristics. Some are large and orange, others are small and purple.
The Importance of Sweet Potatoes in History and Present:
Anti-Hunger Food: In ancient times, sweet potatoes were an important food for many people, especially in arid areas.
Traditional Food: Sweet potatoes have become an important part of traditional cuisine in many countries.
Healthy food – In today’s world, sweet potato is valued for its nutritional value and is used in cooking many types of foods.
Benefits of eating sweet potatoes for body health.
1. A good source of vitamins and minerals.
Beta carotene – The orange color found in sweet potatoes which is converted to vitamin A, an important vitamin for eye health, skin, and the immune system.
Vitamin C: This vitamin helps heal wounds, strengthen the immune system, and protect cells from damage.
Minerals: Sweet potatoes contain important minerals such as potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure, and manganese, which aids in metabolism.
2. Good source of energy:
Carbohydrates: Sweet potatoes contain complex carbohydrates that provide long-lasting energy, keeping you feeling fuller for longer.
Fiber: Fiber helps in digestion, weight control, and reduces the risk of heart disease.
3. Disease prevention:
Heart health – The potassium mineral found in sweet potatoes help to control blood pressure, while the fiber lowers bad cholesterols in the body.
Anti-cancer – Some components of sweet potatoes have the ability to fight cancer cells, especially those of the colon.
Improve eye health – Vitamin A from beta carotene helps in strengthening the eyes and reduce the risk of night blindness.
4. Weight management
Since sweet potatoes are high in dietary fiber, they can help you to feel fuller for longer, thus reducing your appetite.
5. Skin health.
Vitamins A and C in sweet potatoes help maintain healthy skin and delay aging.
6. Mood improvement.
Some components found in sweet potatoes can help in improving mood and reduce symptoms of depression.
How you can get more nutrients from sweet potatoes.
Better ways of cooking – Bake, boil, or steam to preserve all its nutrients.
By eating the skin – The skin of the sweet potato contains large amount of fiber and nutrients, so it is good to eat.
Varieties – Try different types of sweet potatoes to get different flavors and nutrients.
In general, sweet potatoes are a healthy food and do not tend to cause serious side effects, however, like all other foods, there are some things that are important to consider.
Below are some effects that can occur from eating sweet potatoes.
Kidney damage – For people with kidney problems, eating sweet potatoes in large quantities can increase the burden on the kidneys due to the potassium present in it.
Weight gain – Although sweet potatoes are nutritious, eating them in large quantities and adding a lot of fat while cooking can contribute to weight gain.
Allergies – There are some people who may have allergies by eating sweet potatoes and have symptoms that can include swelling, itching, and breathing problems.
How to make sure you avoid these effects.
People with kidney problems – Consult your doctor for advice on the amount of sweet potatoes you can eat.
Weight management: Choose healthy cooking methods such as baking, boiling or steaming and void adding too much oil while cooking.
Allergy: If you suspect you have a sweet potato allergy, contact your doctor immediately.
What to consider.
Potato Quality: Choose sweet potatoes that are fresh and undamaged.
Preparation: Wash the sweet potatoes well before cooking.
Amount: Eat the right amount.
