Published By: Sayan Paul

5 Amazing Health Benefits of Okinawan Sweet Potato

Okinawan sweet potato is considered a superfood, and for good reason.

It makes for a staple dish in the traditional Okinawan diet.

Its regular consumption can significantly improve your overall health in no time.

Okinawan sweet potato - also called purple sweet potato - is an excellent root vegetable to incorporate into your balanced diet. Native to America, it's now cultivated all around the world. It's sweeter than your usual sweet potato, and also has a higher level of nutrients. What's more, it makes an incredible ingredient in various dishes.

Okinawan sweet potato contains a special antioxidant called anthocyanin (which is also present in blueberries), which contributes to its purple color. It also has a high amount of iron, dietary fiber, copper, manganese, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and more.

Hence, if consumed regularly, it may offer a number of benefits to your health.

May lower blood pressure levels

Anthocyanin, present abundantly in purple sweet potato, significantly helps in lowering your blood pressure levels. It also contains potassium which dilates blood vessels and further helps regulate your blood pressure levels. Hence, it's recommended for people suffering from hypertension.

May support digestion

Okinawan sweet potato has high amounts of dietary fiber which stimulate the release of certain enzymes in the body, which play a role in your digestive system. It also aids in the movement of food through the intestine and further helps add bulk to your bowel movement. Moreover, anthocyanin increases the number of good probiotics in the gut, improving your digestion to a great extent.

May improve liver health

Studies have found that the high amount of anthocyanin in Okinawan sweet potato helps improve the symptoms of liver fibrosis. This root vegetable has numerous other nutrients as well, which help prevent injuries in your liver and also promote your overall liver functions. It inhibits the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the body, which further has a positive impact on your liver health.

May aid in weight loss

If you are on a weight loss journey, do add Okinawan sweet potato into your daily diet to get better results in a short time. The high fiber content of this vegetable helps keep you full for a longer time, restricting you from overeating throughout the day. Also, it contains anthocyanin which prevents fats from accumulating in your body.

May control blood sugar levels

Okinawan sweet potato has a high level of flavonoids which help regulate your levels of blood sugar. It helps inhibit a spike in your blood sugar levels, which, in the long run, reduces your risk of developing both type-1 and type-2 diabetes. Moreover, a study has found that anthocyanin, which is present in high amounts in Okinawan sweet potatoes, is also beneficial for diabetics.

Along with these, it may also prevent gout, boost cognitive skills, and reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.