{"id":106418,"date":"2020-02-22T01:18:00","date_gmt":"2020-02-22T08:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dherbs.com\/?p=106418"},"modified":"2023-04-28T01:51:51","modified_gmt":"2023-04-28T08:51:51","slug":"5-spudtacular-recipes-for-national-cook-a-sweet-potato-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dherbs.com\/articles\/diet-nutrition\/5-spudtacular-recipes-for-national-cook-a-sweet-potato-day\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Spudtacular Recipes For National Cook A Sweet Potato Day"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Coming in all shapes, colors, and sizes, the mighty sweet potato deserves to be celebrated every day. They deserve extra attention, however, on National Cook A Sweet Potato Day, which is annually celebrated on February 22nd<\/sup>. Sweet potatoes are starchy root vegetables and even though they are simple spuds, their health benefits may surprise you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sweet Potato Fact: <\/strong>Research points to the fact that sweet potatoes originated in Central or South America. Central American domesticated sweet potatoes at least 5,000 years ago, but archaeologists found that remnants of sweet potatoes in Peru dating back to 8,000 BCE. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sweet potatoes contain soluble and insoluble fiber, both of which pass undigested through the gastrointestinal tract. This helps to soften your stool to promote easier bowel movements<\/a>. Certain strains of soluble and insoluble fibers in sweet potatoes slightly ferment in the colon, creating short-chain fatty acids that encourage healthy intestinal cell lining. While these fibers support a healthy gut<\/a>, the antioxidants in sweet potatoes have been known to promote healthy gut bacteria in preliminary test tube studies. A higher percentage of healthy bacteria is associated with reduced risk of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic inflammation, and infectious diarrhea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yams may be some of the best sources of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that is both responsible for the bright orange color and necessary for healthy vision<\/a>. One cup of cooked sweet potato actually provides the body with over seven times the recommended daily amount of beta-carotene. Once ingested, the beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A<\/a> inside the body, and it is used to form light-detecting receptors in the eyes. Test tube studies have reported that the anthocyanins in sweet potatoes may help to prevent a type of blindness known as xerophthalmia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As we previously mentioned, sweet potatoes are one of the richest sources of beta-carotene. Since low blood levels of vitamin A have been linked to reduced immunity, it is wise to consume your fair share of sweet potatoes to support the immune system<\/a>. Vitamin A also plays a role in the maintenance of healthy mucus membranes, especially in the digestive system, and keeping the gut healthy<\/a> is one of the best ways to enhance immune function. Lastly, studies have found that people with low vitamin A levels have increased gut inflammation and impaired immune function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Two sweet potatoes are walking down the street. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One sweet potato looks at the other one and says, \u201cDo you\nwant to be my best spud?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The other sweet potato replies, \u201cI already yam, and we\u2019re a\nperfect mash!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n On that lovely note, we are going to dive right on into this\nnational day by providing you with some tasty cooked sweet potato recipes.\nThere are five recipes for you to choose from, and they all differ drastically\nin flavor. Choose wisely, or make them all! Let us know how you like the\nrecipes in the comments below. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThey Promote Gut Health<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
They Support Healthy Vision<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
They Support The Immune System<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s Time\u2026For A Sweet Potato Joke<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Sweet And Spicy Thai Curry Sweet Potato Soup<\/h2>\n\n\n