With the rise in popularity of ketogenic diets, carbohydrates have had a particularly bad rap lately. However, not all carbohydrates are created equal when it comes to your wellbeing.
In fact, there’s plenty of research to suggest that sweet potatoes can be a special boon to your health, from reducing the risk of certain diseases to helping the body you’ve always wanted. Read on to discover the secret side effects of sweet potatoes, according to science. And for more great additions to your diet, check out 7 Healthiest Foods You Should Be Eating Right Now.
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While you may have considered cutting out carbohydrates to lose weight, research suggests that consuming sweet potatoes can actually make it easier to lose those extra pounds. A 2019 study published in Nutrients found that in a group of obese adult workers between the ages of 30 and 50, those who replaced two meals a day with sweet potato-based meal replacement shakes lost weight and body fat, and lowered their BMI. And for easier ways to lose weight, check out these 15 underrated weight loss tips that actually work.
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If you are struggling with severe blood sugar fluctuations, consuming sweet potatoes regularly can help you avoid these crashes after a drop in your blood sugar. The same 2019 Nutrients study found that sweet potato meal replacement shakes helped stabilize patients’ blood sugar, and the four grams of fiber in each medium-sized sweet potato may help with that goal.
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If you find that your digestion wasn’t as predictable as you’d like it to be, adding more sweet potatoes to your diet can help. A 2016 controlled study published in Cancer Nursing found that among a group of leukemia sufferers, those who added 200 grams of sweet potatoes per day to their diet had less constipation. For more ways on how to keep your gastrointestinal tract working like clockwork, see Best Diet Supplements For Digestion, According to Nutritionists.
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When your parents said that certain fruits and vegetables are good for your eyesight, they weren’t lying. According to a study presented at the 2010 Joint Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) – Middle East-Africa Council of Ophthalmology (MEACO), beta-carotene has been shown to be effective in certain patients with retinitis pigmentosa, an incurable hereditary disease Retina has been shown to improve eyesight, which can lead to blindness.
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If you want to enjoy a longer, healthier life, try making sweet potatoes a regular part of your diet. According to a 2016 study published in Scientific Reports, people with higher beta-carotene levels were less likely to die from a cause of death than those with lower beta-carotene levels.
For more reasons to make sweet potatoes a part of your normal diet, see A Major Side Effect of Eating Sweet Potatoes, Science Says, and for more healthy eating news delivered to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter !
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