SWEET POTATO

Hello hello, everyone.I hope y’all had a great time.Today’s topic it is sweet potato.The sweet potato was domesticated more than 5,000 years ago. It is one of the oldest vegetables known to mankind.Scientists believe that sweet potato was domesticated thousands of years ago in Central America.After his first voyage to the Americas in 1492, Christopher Columbus took sweet potatoes back home to Europe.The crop was introduced into China in the late 16th century and spread through Asia, Africa, and Latin America during the 17th and 18th centuries.It’s hardy, has broad adaptability, and its planting material can be multiplied quickly by very few roots. It is now grown in more developing countries than any other root crop.Here are some health benefits of sweet potato once u read then you’ll be more convinced to include this vegetable in your daily diet.

1 Vitamin A: Sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene, which is transformed into vitamin A in the body. The recommended daily amount of vitamin A can be achieved with only 100 grams of sweet potatoes.

2.  They are high in vitamin B6.

Vitamin B6 helps reduce the chemical homocysteine in our bodies. Homocysteine has been linked to degenerative diseases, including heart attacks.

3. They are a good source of vitamin C.

While most people know that vitamin C is important to help ward off cold and flu viruses, few people are aware that this crucial vitamin plays an important role in bone and tooth formation, digestion, and blood cell formation. It helps accelerate wound healing, produces collagen which helps maintain skin’s youthful elasticity, and is essential to helping us cope with stress. It even appears to help protect our body against toxins that may be linked to cancer.

4.  They are a good source of vitamin D, which helps build healthy bones.

Vitamin D is critical for immune system and overall health at this time of year.  Both a vitamin and a hormone, vitamin D is primarily made in our bodies as a result of getting adequate sunlight. You may have heard about the seasonal affective disorder (or SAD, as it is also called), which is linked to inadequate sunlight and therefore a vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D plays an important role in our energy levels, moods, and helps to build healthy bones, heart, nerves, skin, and teeth, and it supports the thyroid gland.

5.  Sweet potatoes contain iron and support a healthy immune system.

Most people are aware that we need the mineral iron to have adequate energy, but iron plays other important roles in our body, including red and white blood cell production, resistance to stress, proper im­mune functioning, and the metabolizing of protein, among other things.

6.  Sweet potatoes are a good source of mag­nesium, which is the relaxation and anti-stress mineral

Magnesium is necessary for healthy artery, blood, bone, heart, muscle, and nerve function, yet experts estimate that approximately 80 percent of the popula­tion in North America may be deficient in this important mineral. Now time to show a very easy and healthy recipe.

Extra Crispy Sweet Potato Wedges

Thick and crispy oven baked sweet potato wedges! A delicious snack or side.

Ingredients

• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled (or unpeeled, if you like skin) and cut into wedges
• 2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees (F). Line a large baking sheet with tinfoil (shiny side up); place baking rack onto a prepared baking sheet; set aside.
2. Peel the sweet potatoes (if preferred) and cut off the pointy ends. Slice the sweet potatoes in half (lengthwise), then cut each piece into wedges.
3. Place the sweet potato wedges in a large bowl, then add the olive oil, salt, sugar, seasoning, and black pepper. Mix well, making sure each wedge is coated with oil and spices.
4. Arrange the sweet potato wedges in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes, then turn on the broiler and bake for another 3-5 minutes, or until they’re well browned and crispy. Keep an eye here – it’s easy to burn when the broiler is on!
5. Cool wedges in a pan for 5 minutes, then serve at once!