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11 health benefits of sweet potato leaves

Sweet potatoes are a staple food in many cultures, and rightfully so. They’re inexpensive, nutritious, and taste great. But did you know that their leaves are also edible? And not only that, they’re actually quite nutritious! Read on for 11 benefits of sweet potato leaves, as well as tips on how to prepare them.

Nutritional value of sweet potato leaves

100 grams of steamed sweet potato leaves contain:

  • Calories: 35.0
  • Carbs: 22.7 g
  • Protein: 4.0 g
  • Fat: 0.3 g
  • Fiber: 2.0 g
  • Vitamin A: 1028 IU, or 21% of the Daily Value (DV)
  • Vitamin K: 69.5 mcg, or 87% of the DV (when cooked)
  • Vitamin C: 11.0 mg, or 18% of the DV
  • Magnesium: 61.0 mg, or 15% of the DV
  • Riboflavin: 0.3 mg, or 20% of the DV
  • Potassium: 518 mg, or 15% of the DV
  • Folate: 80.0 mcg, or 20% of the DV
  • Manganese: 0.3 mg, or 13% of the DV
  • Vitamin B6: 0.2 mg, or 9% of the DV
  • Thiamine: 0.2 mg, or 10% of the DV
  • Iron: 1.0 mg, or 6% of the DV
  • Calcium: 37.0 mg, or 4% of the DV

Sweet potato leaves are also a good source of chlorophyll and antioxidants, including lutein, beta-carotene, and other beneficial phytonutrients.

Benefits of sweet potato leaves

1. It is effective in killing prostate cancer:
An extract of sweet potatoes leaves was found to be extremely toxic to prostate cancer, killing about 90% of cancerous cells in vitro also slowing the growth of prostate tumour. So sweet potato leaf is effective in preventing and treating prostate cancer. It acts as an anti-mutagen and tumour suppressor and it is also active against breast cancer, lung cancer, leukaemia and stomach cancer.

2. It boosts immune system:
The immune system is a line of defence in the body that is responsible for the synthesis of antibodies that are directed against foreign bodies. There are two spectra of immunity and they include humoral immunity and cell-mediated immunity. A research showed that sweet potato leaves boost immunity by enhancing the synthesis of T-cells (T-lymphocytes) and natural killer cells (NK-cells).

3. It lowers blood sugar level in type II diabetes:
A study showed that sweet potato leaves lowered blood sugar levels in mice in type II diabetes. This is probably due to the ability of the active component of the leaf to make cells unresistant to insulin's call, thereby facilitating their entry into cells and subsequent lowering of blood sugar level.

4. It possess antioxidant properties:
The antioxidant polyphenol is present in sweet potato leaves and it functions to scavenge free radicals in the body to prevent oxidative stress which could lead to inflammatory reactions.

5. Promotes healthy bowel movement:
Potato leaves ensure that the bowels are emptied and also prevent infection in the bowels such as typhoid.

6. It protects the heart by acting as an anticoagulant;
Preventing the clotting of blood around the arteries of the heart, thus averting coronary heart diseases.

Preparation:
Get sweet potato leaves and boil for 20 minutes. Drink one cup daily for 7 days to get the health benefits listed above.

Other health benefits of sweet potato leaves are:

  1. Reduction of liver injury.
  2. Presence of antimicrobial properties for the prevention of microbial infection.
  3. Relief from anxiety and stress.
  4. Improving bone health.
  5. Energy booster which releases energy from stored muscle glycogen.

Sweet potato leaves are also a delicious vegetable:

Cut fresh leaves and dry them. When cooking just prepare your onion and tomato soup and add a little of the dried leaves, mix well and cover with lid. It will be done in a few minutes, serve with sadza/pap. Enjoy this delicious and nutritious vegetable.

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