Sweet potatoes have become more popular in the U.S. in recent years with consumption increasing nearly 42 percent between 2000 and 2016, reaching 7.2 pounds per capita. Growing consumer demand for sweet potatoes may be due to the promotion of the tuber's health benefits.
Why are sweet potatoes so popular?
The Salt credits fad diets (like South Beach, Paleo, and Atkins) for giving the vegetable its “superfood” status. The vegetable contains high levels of beta carotene, and is a rich source of potassium, fiber, and vitamins A and C.
Where are sweet potatoes popular?
Sweet potatoes are cultivated throughout tropical and warm temperate regions wherever there is sufficient water to support their growth. Sweet potatoes became common as a food crop in the islands of the Pacific Ocean, South India, Uganda and other African countries.
Do Americans eat sweet potatoes?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, sweet potato consumption in the United States nearly doubled in just 15 years. Sweet potatoes are undergoing a modern renaissance in this country.
What state is known for sweet potatoes?
The largest producer of sweet potatoes in the United States is North Carolina which harvested 1.6 billion pounds in 2015 and has been responsible for most of the gains in recent years. California, Mississippi, and Louisiana are also notable sweet potato-producing States.
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