Sweet potato also known as Shakarkandi in Hindi is one the nutritious food that has health benefits as well as beauty benefits. It is rich in vitamins and minerals. Beta-carotene and anthocyanins are found in high amounts in sweet potato.
Benefits of Sweet Potato for Skin:
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Antioxidant:
Beta-carotene or Vitamin A is present in high amounts in sweet potato. This is an effective antioxidant for preventing various types of cancer. It can repair the damages caused to the skin cells by the UV rays of the sun and also protect the skin from further damage by UV radiations.
Anti-stress agent:
Magnesium and iron are found in high amounts in sweet potato. Magnesium can help in relaxation and is a good stress buster for the skin.
Beauty food:
In addition to Vitamins A and C, sweet potato also contains Vitamin E, which is excellent for the health of your skin. It can improve your complexion and provide you a flawless skin. These three vitamins together are known as ‘beauty food’ for the skin.
Cures dry and cracked heels:
If you have dry and cracked heels, take the water in which you have boiled sweet potatoes and soak your feet in this water while it is still warm. This helps in curing cracked heels.
Heals dark eye circles and eye puffiness:
Take two slices of sweet potato and keep them over your eyes. This can help in removing dark circles, wrinkles and puffiness of the eyes. This is because of the presence of anthocyanin in it. It has anti-inflammatory properties and also helps in reducing pigmentation.
Improves skin texture:
The water you get after you boil sweet potatoes is rich in nutrients. It can improve the texture of your skin and make your skin clear. Strain the water you get after boiling sweet potatoes and store it in a bottle. Keep the bottle in the refrigerator to make it cool. You can use this water as a skin toner. This can absorb all impurities from your skin and cleanse the pores deeply. It is also good for soothing irritated skin.
Moisturizes the skin:
Take half a cup of boiled sweet potato, 1 tablespoon of yogurt and 1 tablespoon of oats. Blend them well to get a coarse paste. Scrub your face with this paste gently and wash off with lukewarm water. Follow it by applying your favorite moisturizer on skin.
Maintains the elasticity of your skin:
Vitamin C is found in high quantities in sweet potatoes. This is great for the production of collagen, which can help in maintaining the elasticity of your skin. This way your skin will look young and glowing.
Prevents premature ageing:
Take a big sweet potato and boil it till it is soft enough to pull out its skin easily. Now take one tablespoon each of honey, milk and ginger juice. Blend all the ingredients to get a smooth paste. Cleanse your face and neck and apply the paste well. Wait for 20 to 25 minutes and then wash off with warm water. This helps in rejuvenating your skin and makes your skin fresh and hydrated. It can prevent premature aging and make you look young for a longer period.
Treats oily skin:
Boil sweet potatoes and mash them after they are cooled. Now add one teaspoon of honey to it and apply on your face. Wait for 20 to 30 minutes and then wash off. You can also add a few drops of lemon juice if you have oily skin.
Benefits of Sweet Potatoes for Hair:
Offers natural shine to hair:
Make a mask of sweet potato by adding other ingredients like honey, yogurt and olive oil to it. This is amazing for dull and rough hair. It can keep your hair hydrated and give it a shine.
Teats hair dryness:
Sweet potato keeps you hair well nourished and in good condition. Take one big sweet potato and add one cup of yogurt, 1 tablespoon of honey and one tablespoon of olive or almond oil. Blend then well and apply it on your hair and scalp. Wait for 15 minutes and wash off with water. If you have dry hair, you can add 2 to 3 tablespoons of coconut cream to the mixture.
So, you can see that sweet potatoes have amazing benefits for your skin, health and hair. Include it in your regular diet. You can try various sweet potato recipes and have it in different forms.
Health and Medicinal Benefits of Sweet Potatoes:
Boosts immune system:
Vitamin C present in sweet potato has antioxidant properties, which make it great for increasing your immune system. As a result, you suffer less from common cold, cough, flu and other diseases.
Good source of iron:
Many babies become anemic when their body becomes deficient in iron. Sweet potato is rich in iron and increases the production of red blood cells, thus preventing anemia. It can also improve the resistance power and immunity power of the body, and reduce stress.
High on calorie:
Sweet potato is one of the best foods for your baby as your baby needs to gain weight at an increased rate. 100 gm of sweet potato can provide 90 calories to your baby.
Promotes metabolism and treats premenstrual symptoms:
Sweet potatoes contain manganese, which is great for improving metabolism and to maintain a healthy balance of the blood sugar levels in the body. It is also good for suppressing your appetite, thereby preventing you from overeating. As a result, you can lose weight by including this vegetable in your regular diet. It is good for anemia and for treating severe premenstrual symptoms as well.
Provides Vitamin D:
Many kids of today are getting deficient in Vitamin D. Even babies suffer from Vitamin D deficiency. You can prevent this by feeding them sweet potatoes. It is rich in Vitamin D and helps in increasing the energy levels of the baby and also makes their bones stronger. It is also good for providing them a healthy heart.
