Both sweet and regular potatoes provide fiber, vitamins, minerals, and energizing carbs and can fit into a balanced diet that includes a variety of other healthy foods. 15 Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a Banana. FLESH – Whitish flesh that turns golden when baked. In addition to nutrients, purple sweet potatoes also carry anthocyanin. Today, they are widely grown in Hawaii and exported to the United States mainland where they are popular with Asian and Latin… These sweet potatoes have become famous and very distinctive because of their richly colored flesh, which happens to be a vibrant purple, in a marked contrast to the dull tan skins of … While white potatoes are higher in potassium, sweet potatoes provide much more vitamin A. Purple sweet potatoes are high in Vitamin C and anthocyanin, thetype of flavonoid (a class of compounds with antioxidant effects) that provides many plants, such as cherries, grapes, and strawberries, with their natural red, purple, and blue coloring. Last medically reviewed on September 13, 2019. Sweet potatoes have higher levels of key vitamins that act as antioxidants, including vitamin A and vitamin C. Sweet potatoes also contain antioxidant plant pigments that aren't present in regular potatoes – for example, orange sweet potatoes are high in beta-carotene and purple sweet potatoes … The subjects consumed 250 ml of purple sweet potato juice every day for 4 weeks. Both sweet and regular potatoes can be part of a balanced diet. Next time you are at the market buying sweet potatoes, look around and see if you spot something a little different. A new study published this month found that the consumption of 6-8 microwaved purple potatoes a day (they’re pretty small) resulted in a boost in antioxidant capacity of the blood … Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Let’s take a detailed look at the health benefits of sweet potatoes vs. potatoes. Conclusion Purple sweet potato, also called ube (and pronounced ‘oo-bae’) is popular in the Philippines and used mainly in desserts. Another study found that compounds in purple sweet potato helped reduce blood pressure in adults suffering from hypertension. Both types of potatoes are rich in fiber, carbs, and vitamins B6 and C. White potatoes are higher in potassium, whereas sweet potatoes contain more vitamin A. Potatoes are a versatile root vegetable and a staple food in many households. Sweet potatoes differ from other potato varieties in appearance, taste, and nutrition. Packed with antioxidants. One purple sweet potato contains four times your daily recommended dose of Vitamin A and half of your daily Vitamin C requirement. ‘Tis the season to ditch your all-white palette in favor of something a little bolder and brighter. While some varieties of sweet potatoes may have a lower GI than regular potatoes, others do not. They have a higher carbohydrate content, so eat them in moderation. Sweet and regular potatoes are both root vegetables. The bottom line: Ube (a.k.a. Potatoes may also affect your blood sugar differently, though this depends on the type, serving size, and other factors. Nutritionally the orange sweet potato is loaded with beta carotene. Can You Eat Sweet Potato Skins, and Should You? Mike Sizemore, a sweet potato farmer, received some purple-colored potatoes as a gift from an unidentified woman. The effect that eating potato has on your blood sugar, known as the GI, varies among different types of both sweet and regular potatoes. Okinawan and Molokai Sweet Potatoes Purple sweet potatoes own fewer GL than orange sweet potatoes. Researchers noted that systolic blood pressure was significantly lower at the end of the trial period. Given its bright orange color, this is not surprising. Baked sweet potatoes tend to have a much higher GI than boiled ones because of how the starches gelatinize during cooking (8). The one significant difference between purple potatoes and Russet potatoes is the antioxidant content; purple potatoes contain 4 times as many antioxidants as Russet potatoes ! Centennial Sweet Potatoes. © 2005-2021 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. However, how eating potato affects your blood sugar largely depends on the type of potato, portion size, and cooking method. The beni imo is also an excellent source of dietary fiber. Sweet potatoes typically have brown skin and orange flesh but also come in purple, yellow, and red varieties. … What are Purple Potatoes? The healthiest potatoes are probably sweet potatoes (see my video about sweet potatoes), but if you are going to eat plain potatoes, the varieties with colored flesh (not just skin) do appear healthier. The antioxidant value of Purple Sweet Potato, Raw described in ORAC units is: 2,720 μ mol TE/100g.. With so many varieties of sweet potatoes available, all with different colors, shapes, tastes and textures, it's important to know how healthy they all are. Available from late August through late spring, the Stokes Purple® sweet potatoes, with a purple-tinted skin and bold purple flesh, have a drier, denser texture, and better-balanced sweetness than their orange counterparts. Sweet potatoes contain fiber…, Mayo is a popular condiment for sandwiches and often used as a base for salad dressings and sauces. Though potatoes are highly nutritious, they’re often prepared in unhealthy ways. Beta carotene is vitamin A, an antioxidant. Eventually, these purple potatoes wound up in Hawaii and became a part of the native menu, where they are also known as "Hawaiian sweet potatoes." The Stokes Purple® sweet potato hails from North Carolina. 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