11 reasons to eat sweet potatoes, even if you’re not a fitness muse – BOAFORMA

The famous tuber has already conquered the menu of fitness bloggers and also of those who want to keep their weight up to date and have enough energy to work out. But what is the secret behind the sweet potato? Considered the ideal carbohydrate for athletes, it surpasses other tubers in several nutrients: “It has five times more calcium, twice as much fiber and more potassium than the potato”, informs nutritionist Lara Natacci, from Dietnet Assessoria Nutricional, in São Paulo. Paul. Do you think little? Discover the other benefits it offers and include this ally in your menu now:

1. Protects against diseases
Rich in vitamin B6, it decreases blood levels of homocysteine, a substance that is a risk factor for the heart.

2. Guarantees resistance
The color orange is no wonder! She is rich in vitamin C. So it protects your immune system. What’s more, the tuber also helps speed up wound healing and improves the appearance of your skin.

3. Makes bones stronger
In 100g of sweet potato, you will find 33 mg of calcium. In addition, the food contains good doses of vitamin D, a nutrient that participates in the maintenance of muscles and the health of bones and heart.

4. Gives energy
Its consumption is recommended mainly in pre-workout. “A source of resistant starch – a type of carbohydrate with a medium glycemic index -, sweet potatoes gradually release energy in the body, guaranteeing fuel from the beginning to the end of the exercise”, explains nutriendocrinologist Romualdo Lima, from Rio de Janeiro. The slow release of blood sugar also helps maintain levels of glycogen, muscle fuel.

5. Decreases stress
As a good source of magnesium, sweet potatoes can help you relax and therefore reduce stress. Yay!

6. Protects the kidneys
This tuber contains potassium, a substance responsible for controlling blood pressure, reducing swelling and controlling the activity of your kidneys.

7. Lose weight
Unlike refined carbohydrates, such as white bread, pasta, sweets and other sweets, sweet potatoes provide energy in a balanced way and prevent insulin spikes in the blood, which, in excess, stimulate the body to store fat.

8. Combat aging
The species with orange pulp still has beta-carotene, and the purple variety, anthocyanin and vitamins C and E. and skin”, explains nutritionist Claudia Talan Marin, from São Paulo.

9. Prevents against cancer
The tuber also contains anthocyanin (available in the purple variety), an anti-inflammatory substance that helps prevent cancer, in addition to combating the premature aging of cells in general.

10. Increases defenses
Studies carried out with the tuber reveal that it has antibacterial and antifungal properties, great substances to protect the organism.

11. You can use the leaves
If you want extra nutrients, also eat the leaves of this tuber (they are edible!). An American study published in the journal HortScience showed that this part has three times more vitamins C (strengthens our defenses) and B6 (good for the nervous system) and ten times more riboflavin (reduces the damage caused by stress).