Daily Health Tips - Healthy Living Column
Nigerian Dietitian Urges Diabetic People To Eat Sweet Potato For Proper Sugar Level Control
July 7, 2016 – Nigerian Dietitian Urges Diabetic People To Eat Sweet Potato For Proper Sugar Level Control
Sweet potato is one of the high calorie starch foods. It contains no saturated fats or cholesterol, and is rich source of dietary fibre, anti-oxidants, vitamins, and minerals than Irish potatoes.
Sweet potato’s calorie content mainly comes from starch, a complex carbohydrate. This is a very vital information for diabetics. I have heard many diabetic patients say that they do not eat sweet potato because it is sweet and may raise their sugar levels.
Nothing could be further from the truth. S weet potato has higher amylose to the amylopectin ratio than that in Irish or white potatoes. Amylose raises the blood sugar levels rather slowly on comparison to simple fruit sugars (fructose, glucose etc.) and therefore, it is recommended as a healthy food item even in diabetes.
As a nutrition expert, I have recommended sweet potato for thousands of diabetic patients with positive results. Sweet potatoes do not cause blood sugar spikes. Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet-tasting but their natural sugars are slowly released into the bloodstream, helping to ensure a balanced and regular source of energy, without the blood sugar spikes linked to fatigue and weight gain.
Sweet potato is an excellent source of flavonoid phenolic compounds such as beta-carotene and Vitamin-A. 100 g tuber provides 14,187 IU of vitamin A and 8,509 μg of ß-carotene, a value which is the highest for any root-vegetables categories. These compounds are powerful natural antioxidants.
Vitamin A is also required for the human body to maintain integrity of mucus membranes and skin. It is a vital nutrient for healthy vision. Consumption of natural vegetables and fruits rich in flavonoids helps protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
[By Anselm Adodo]
Shantel
July 7, 2016 at 4:30 AM
I do not like potatoes any alternatives
fifelomo
July 7, 2016 at 7:03 AM
Thanks for the info.
Metu Nyetu
July 7, 2016 at 7:15 AM
It looks to me that all these studies do nothing but contradict themselves these days. Sweet potato? I am afraid.
sola olaniyi
July 7, 2016 at 7:38 AM
@ Shantel,so what do you like..
Big Aunty Koks
July 7, 2016 at 1:36 PM
The explanation taking pains to give details of the components and the way they work has convinced meit makes sense. Normally I’m skeptical of studies but this one seems plausible. Thanks for the information.
betty
July 7, 2016 at 7:33 PM
all d researcher wldnt tell some1 to eat his/her sh*t someday
Jilo
July 7, 2016 at 8:31 PM
The information above is authentic and the fact has been established that Sweet Potato (Odunkun) is very effective in slowing down sugar level in diabetes patients. It sweetness may give people concern but there is something in that sweet potato that is beneficial to our body. This is a scientifically tested, proved and helpful. Some people who cannot eat it alone can mix it with Yam and pound it together like pounded yam. Another food that is beneficial to diabetes patients is Banana Flower (Elubo Ogede) these information are really helpful especially to diabetes patients.
Maryf
July 21, 2016 at 8:44 PM
Wow! I love potatoes