Are Sweet Potatoes Healthy?
Sweet potatoes can be roasted, mashed, fried and pied – you might have eaten them so often that they feel old hat.
In a way, they are – sweet potatoes count among the world’s oldest domesticated crops. Archeological evidence suggests they were cultivated in South America “more than 4,500 years ago”, says Michelle Johnson, a seed historian, journalist and self-described “sweet potato superfan”.
Flavorful, productive, resilient and adaptable to a wide range of climates, the entire Ipomoea batatas plant is edible, and has thousands of cultivars; about 20 are sold commercially in the US, says Johnson. Surprisingly, they are kin to morning glories but unrelated to either white potatoes or yams. Their health bona fides, however, are clear. Here’s what to know about adding more sweet potatoes to your diet.
Excerpted from the Guardian
