1. Sweet Potato Facts
2. Types of Sweet Potato (Australia)
3. Nutritional value
4. Health Benefits
The sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a dicotyledonous plant belonging to the family Convolvulaceae. Sweet potatoes are one of the oldest vegetables known to mankind. They have roots, whereas regular potatoes are tubers (underground stems)
History and Origin
The origin and domestication of the sweet potato is thought to be either Central America or South America. In Central America, sweet potatoes were domesticated at least 5,000 years ago. In South America, Peruvian sweet potato remnants have been dated back as far as 8000 BC.
In one of history's mysteries, Polynesians in the South Pacific were growing sweet potatoes as early as 1200 A.D. In fact, the native South American vegetable was the Maoris’ principle food when Captain Cook first reached New Zealand in 1769.
- • Beauregar
- • Northern Star
- • Wspf
- • Kestle
Beauregard - The Beauregard has a rose/gold smooth skin, with a moderately deep orange flesh. Over 90% of sweet potatoes sold in Australia are Beauregard.
Northern Star - The Northern Star has a red purple skin, with bright, white flesh. This is the second most popular sweet potato in Australia with around 8% of sales.
WSPF - The WSPF has a white skin with white and purple flesh. Around 2% of Australian sweet potato production is devoted to WSPF
Kestle - The Kestle has a white skin, with cream to white flesh. Only small amounts of this sweet potato are grown in Australia.
Vegetables " Sweet Potato "
Nutritional value per 100 g
Sweet potato, cooked, baked in skin, flesh, without salt
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Nutrient ( Proximate's )
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Unit
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Value
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Daily Value %
|
|
Energy
|
kcal
|
92 | 4.6% |
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Protein
|
g
|
2.01 | 4% |
|
Total lipid (fat)
|
g
|
0.146 | 0.1% |
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Carbohydrate, by difference
|
g
|
20.71 | 7.5% |
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Fiber, total dietary
|
g
|
3.3 | 11.7% |
|
Sugars, total
|
g
|
6.48
|
|
|
Minerals
|
|||
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Calcium, Ca
|
mg
|
38 | 2.9% |
|
Iron, Fe
|
mg
|
0.69 | 3.8% |
|
Magnesium, Mg
|
mg
|
27 | 6.4% |
|
Phosphorus, P
|
mg
|
54 | 4.3% |
|
Potassium, K
|
mg
|
475 | 10.1% |
|
Sodium, Na
|
mg
|
36 | 1.5% |
|
Zinc, Zn
|
mg
|
0.32 | 2.9% |
|
Copper, Cu
|
mg
|
0.161 | 17.8% |
|
Manganese, Mn
|
mg
|
0.497 | 21.6% |
|
Selenium, Se
|
mcg
|
0.2 | 0.3% |
|
Vitamins
|
|||
|
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid
|
mg
|
19.6 | 21.7% |
|
Thiamin (B-1)
|
mg
|
0.107 | 8.9% |
|
Riboflavin (B-2)
|
mg
|
0.106 | 8.1% |
|
Niacin (B-3)
|
mg
|
1.487 | 9.2% |
|
Pantothenic acid (B-5)
|
mg
|
0.884 | 17.6% |
|
Vitamin B-6
|
mg
|
0.286 | 16.8% |
|
Folate, total (B-9)
|
mcg
|
6 | 1.5% |
|
Vitamin B-12
|
mcg
|
0.00
|
|
|
Vitamin A, RAE
|
mcg
|
961 | 106.7% |
|
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
|
mg
|
0.71 | 1.1% |
|
Vitamin D (D2 + D3)
|
mcg
|
0
|
|
|
Vitamin K (phylloquinone)
|
mcg
|
2.3 | 1.9% |
|
Lipids
|
|||
|
Saturated Fatty Acids
|
g
|
0.052
|
0.2% |
|
Monounsaturated Fatty Acids
|
g
|
0.002
|
|
|
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids
|
g
|
0.092
|
|
|
Trans Fatty Acids
|
g
|
0.000
|
|
|
Carotenoids
|
|||
|
Beta-Carotene
|
mcg
|
11500
|
|
|
Alpha-Carotene
|
mcg
|
43
|
|
|
Beta-Cryptoxanthin
|
mcg
|
0
|
|
|
Lutein + zeaxanthin
|
mcg
|
0
|
|
|
Reference Values are based on a 2,000 Calorie Intake, for Adults and Children 4 or More Years of Age. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
|
|
Percentages are roughly approximated using (RDA) Recommended Dietary Allowances for adults. Source: USDA United States Department of Agriculture
|
|
Reference Values for Nutrition - FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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Sweet Potato Nutritional Value
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Sweet potato is one of the most nutrient rich foods available.
|
|
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One medium sized potato has over 200% of your daily needs for vitamin A.
|
|
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Vitamin A benefits include;
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|
|
•
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Essential for good vision, maintains health of specialised tissues such as the retina.
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|
•
|
Beta carotene, the precursor to vitamin A found in vegetables, has antioxidant properties, known for protecting cells from the daily toxic damage of oxidation.
|
| • |
Promotes normal development of teeth, soft and skeletal tissues.
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|
•
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Aids in growth and health of skin and mucous membranes.
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- HELPS KEEP EYES STRONG (High in Vitamin A and C)
- SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCES WEIGH LOSS (Good source of Fiber)
- BLOOD PRESSURE LOWERING (Vitamin C and Potassium)
- HELPS CONTROL BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS (Good source of Fiber)
- HELPS MAINTAIN BOWEL HEALTH (Good source of Fiber)
- POWERFUL ANTIOXIDANT (High in Vitamin A and C)
- LOWERS RISK OF HYPERTENSION AND DIABETES (Good source of Fiber)
- MAINTAINS NORMAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT (High in Vitamin A and C)
- LOWERS CHOLESTEROL LEVELS (Good source of Fiber)
- GOOD FOR YOUR CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM (Vitamin B-6, Potassium and Fiber)
References
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Nutrient Database - USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)
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Reference Values for Nutrition - FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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For More Information
Sweet Potato - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia