Tuesday 05.19.15
5 Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes
I love sweet potatoes. Knowing that they are healthy for me and support my active lifestyle gives me permission to eat these hasselback sweet potatoes more often than not. No matter where you live, sweet potatoes are normally readily available, inexpensive and always taste amazing. Here are my favorite health benefits of sweet potatoes:
- They are a good source of Vitamin C. Vitamin C plays a crucial role in bone and tooth formation, digestion and blood cell formation. They help accelerate wound healing, produces collagen which helps maintain skin’s youthful elasticity, and are essential in aiding in stress coping. Oh yea, and they have that cool effect of helping to ward off cold and flu viruses too.
- They contain Vitamin D which is supportive of our immune system and overall health. Vitamin D is both a hormone and a vitamin and is produced in our body from getting adequate sunlight. This amazing vitamin plays an important role in our energy levels, moods, heart, skin, teeth, nerves, and helps build healthy bones.
- They contain magnesium which is the relaxation and anti-stress mineral. It is estimated that approximately 80 percent of the population in North America is deficient in magnesium. It is necessary for healthy arteries, blood, heart, muscle, bone and nerve function. Well that makes sense.
- They contain potassium which is one of the important electrolytes that regulate heartbeat and nerve signals. Potassium relaxes muscle contractions, reduces swelling and protects and controls the activity of the kidneys. In other words, sweet potatoes are crucial to all Crossfitters or competitive athletes.
- They contain iron. Did you know that iron produces white blood cells, supports proper immune functioning, metabolizes protein and fights stress? Me neither. Knowing that iron provides energy as well this is all I need to know to eat more sweet potatoes.
Author and photo from George Bryant of civilizedcavemancooking.com
Here’s a recipe for sweet potatoes you can easily follow and print our from his site.
WO: CGBP; Wt. Pull Ups; Sit Ups
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