True to their name, sweet potatoes have a naturally sweet flavor, which is further enhanced through cooking methods like roasting. They are also one of the top sources of beta-carotene—a precursor to vitamin A. Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin C, B, A, and D and minerals such as potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and phosphorus. There are various varieties of sweet potatoes. Some contain beta-carotene (a provitamin of vitamin A), whereas some contain carotenoids and anthocyanins, which are noted to be beneficial to the body. While orange-fleshed sweet potatoes will increase your beta-carotene and vitamin A levels, white-fleshed sweet potatoes don't contain significant amounts of beta-carotene and thus aren't effective for this purpose. Sweet potatoes are also sometimes called yams in grocery stores.
How much beta-carotene is in sweet potatoes?
Sweet Potatoes A 1-cup serving of baked sweet potato has 180 calories and just over 23 milligrams of beta-carotene. Mashed sweet potato is more concentrated by volume, making it an even better source of beta-carotene.
Do potatoes have carotenoids?
Carotenoids are one of major lipophilic constituents contributing to total antioxidant activity and provitamin con- tent of potato, a major non-cereal staple food.
Do potatoes have beta-carotene?
Beta Carotene is a carotenoid compound responsible for giving fruits and vegetables their orange pigment. ... Foods high in beta-carotene include sweet potatoes, carrots, dark leafy greens, butternut squash, cantaloupe, lettuce, red bell peppers, apricots, broccoli, and peas.
Do sweet potatoes have more beta-carotene than carrots?
100 calories from sweet potatoes, let's have a look! ... It's important to note that for the same amount of calories, carrots have almost double the Vitamin A and beta-carotene, 17+ fold more alpha-carotene, and contain lutein+xeaxanthin (whereas sweet potatoes don't have any!).
What is the major carotenoid of sweet potatoes?
All-E-β-carotene is the major carotenoid of sweet potatoes. The orange-fleshed varieties of sweet potato (OFSP) have this carotenoid almost exclusively and in considerable amounts. Other carotenoids (e.g., lutein and β-carotene epoxides) have comparatively higher levels in the lighter colored sweet potatoes,...
What is the nutritional value of sweet potato?
Sweet Potato Nutrition. Sweet potatoes are high in fiber, vitamin C, potassium, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), niacin (vitamin B3), vitamin B6, manganese, magnesium, and copper. They get their orange color from beta-carotene, which is a pigment and antioxidant.
What is the healthiest type of sweet potato to eat?
Potato Type. When buying sweet potatoes, opt for the orange-fleshed sweet potatoes rather than white-fleshed sweet potatoes. While orange-fleshed sweet potatoes will increase your beta-carotene and vitamin A levels, white-fleshed sweet potatoes don't contain significant amounts of beta-carotene and thus aren't effective for this purpose.
Do orange fleshed sweet potatoes have more beta-carotene?
While orange-fleshed sweet potatoes will increase your beta-carotene and vitamin A levels, white-fleshed sweet potatoes don't contain significant amounts of beta-carotene and thus aren't effective for this purpose. Sweet potatoes are also sometimes called yams in grocery stores.
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