According to research, the nutritional value of sweet potato greens is higher as compared to other vegetables. Considering fiber content, complex carbohydrates, protein, vitamins aAand C, iron and calcium, the sweet potato ranked highest in nutritional value. Sweet potato tops are excellent sources of antioxidative compounds, mainly polyphenolics, which may protect the human body from oxidative stress that is associated to many diseases including cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Sweet potato greens have the highest content of total polyphenolics among other commercial vegetables studied.
Sweet potatoes contain protein, dietary fiber, lipid, and essential minerals and nutrients such as calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium, potassium, sulfur, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, aluminum and boron. Sweet potatoes are also important sources of Vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and ascorbic acid.
Camote tops or sweet potato greens are available the whole year round and it is cheap. It is easy to grow as a backyard plant. It is easy to maintain because it does not need special attention once it has rooted in the soil. The tubers or fruits are healthy too.
Here is a recipe of how I like sweet potato greens served as as a salad or an appetizer:
Cut sweet potato tops approximately 3 inches long. Wash the tops, making sure that soil and other dirt are removed. Heat water enough to immerse the tops in a pot. When water has boiled, add the washed sweet potato tops and continue boilng for at least 3 minutes. Immediately turn off heat and remove the water. Serve hot with fresh tomato slices and salt to taste. You can also have anchovies and a dash of lemon as a dressing for this simple salad. Ordinary fish sauce and calamansi is also recommended.
Article by Permission from Tom Coghill
Author of the Weight Loss E-book Series in the ad below.
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