Recently, the United Nations Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center recognized sweet potato leaves as a high-nutrition vegetable variety due to their high nutritional content. In addition to being a superior source of mucoprotein, sweet potato leaves have a 5–10 times greater antioxidant content than regular veggies. Mucoprotein and antioxidants work together to efficiently combat dangerous free radicals, boost the immune system, shield cells, and slow down cell aging. With just 30 calories per 100 grams, sweet potato leaves are not only low in calories but also a good source of dietary fiber, several vitamins, and minerals.
You may eat the leaves of a sweet potato raw or cooked. Sweet potato leaves are somewhat bitter when raw, but they become mildly bitter as they cook. The leaves of the sweet potato are also edible, in addition to the tubers. It has a rich, somewhat bitter taste in addition to its excellent taste. The leaves are used like spinach and eaten raw. It is a fantastic source of folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, and antioxidants. It has more vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber than other leafy greens.
1. It successfully eradicates prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer was discovered to be very sensitive to a sweet potato leaf extract, which killed roughly 90% of malignant cells in vitro and inhibited the formation of prostate tumors. As a result, sweet potato leaf is useful for both treating and preventing prostate cancer. Additionally effective against stomach cancer, lung cancer, leukemia, and breast cancer, it also functions as an anti-mutagen and tumor suppressor.
2. It improves immunological function.
The body's immune system serves as a line of defense and is in charge of producing antibodies that are aimed at foreign objects. Immunity comes in two varieties: humoral immunity and cell-mediated immunity. According to a study, sweet potato leaves improve immunity by increasing the production of T-cells (also known as lymphocytes) and natural killer cells (NK-cells).
3. It decreases type II diabetes patients' blood sugar levels.
A study found that type II diabetic mice's blood sugar levels were decreased by sweet potato leaves. This is most likely caused by the leaf's active ingredient's capacity to render cells susceptible to insulin's call, which facilitates the hormone's entrance into cells and subsequent reduction in blood sugar levels.
4. It has anti-oxidant qualities.
Sweet potato leaves contain the anti-oxidant polyphenol, which works to scavenge free radicals in the body to avoid oxidative stress, which may trigger inflammatory responses.
5. Promotes regular bowel movements.
Potato leaves make sure that the intestines are empty and also guard against gastrointestinal infections like typhoid.
PDO I Kimberly M. Tanador, RND
References:
Health Benefits of Sweet potato Leaves
https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/health-benefits-of-sweet-potato-leaves/
11 Health Benefits of Sweet potato leaves
https://zaszambia.wordpress.com/2021/03/25/11-health-benefits-of-sweet-potato-leaves/
Sweet potato leaves for family nutrition: Overview of research
https://horticulture.ucdavis.edu/information/sweet-potato-leaves-family-nutrition-overview-research
Can you eat sweet potato leaves?
