5 benefits of consuming sweet potato leaves

There are so many ways in which we use sweet potatoes. However, most of us just care about using sweet potatoes and end up discarding all the lovely greens of this starchy root vegetable. Here are the 5 incredible health benefits that sweet potato greens can offer to us.

Sweet potato is one of the most widely consumed starchy vegetables that is enjoyed across the African, Asian, and North and South American continents. Sweet potatoes are nutritionally very good and are a rich source of vitamin B6, C, D, and minerals such as potassium, iron, and magnesium. That is not all, sweet potato is also free from fats and cholesterol.

However, it is not just the vegetable itself that is nutritionally rich, but the leaves of this amazing vegetable also offer many health benefits. It is a rich source of many water soluble vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Here are the 5 health benefits of consuming sweet potato greens.

Offers antioxidant benefits. Fresh greens of sweet potato are rich in antioxidants and are viable against the damage caused by free radicals, thus delaying premature aging, effects of aging, and prevents dreadful diseases.

Helps to reduce Inflammation. The greens of sweet potato are high in anti inflammatory compounds and benefits against inflammatory problems such as gout, arthritis, asthma, etc. The fresh greens of sweet potato, if consumed regularly as juice or after steaming, also suppresses pain as it contains the compounds that are natural painkillers.

Assists in digestion. Sweet potato greens are high in dietary fiber and help to maintain gut health by relieving constipation and preventing colon cancer. To keep your digestive tract healthy, you may prepare green smoothie or juice with fresh greens, which is not only delicious to taste but is also beneficial against GI distress.

Regulates blood glucose. The greens of sweet potato are high in dietary fiber and low in carbohydrates, making it suitable for consumption by people with diabetes. These fresh greens are also beneficial to stabilize and regulate blood sugar level that lowers the effect of insulin resistance on our body.

Maintains the heart health. These leaves are also high in potassium and can actively lower the blood pressure levels by keeping effects of anxiety and stress under control. The high dietary fiber content of these leaves is also beneficial to unclog the arteries and veins by preventing any fat deposition and regulates the flow of blood in the blood vessels.