The Anti-Cancer Properties of Purple Sweet Potatoes
What’s sweeter than your average potato? Sweet potatoes! Sweet potatoes are great, they are naturally sweet and are quite filling too. However, what about purple sweet potatoes? Purple sweet potatoes are a direct relative of the popular orange sweet potato and come from the same family. Although the origin of this magic-like potato traces back to South America, because it is a robust farming crop, its popularity increased and production extended throughout the world.
As a direct relative of the orange-colored sweet potato, purple sweet potatoes are also rich in essential vitamins and minerals, as well as a large amount of fiber, which helps provide the sensation of fullness and gratification. However, purple sweet potatoes also contain abundant amounts of anthocyanins, a pigment that is unique to naturally dark and purple-fleshed fruits and vegetables and provide many of the additional health benefits which we will explore in this blog.
What Are Anthocyanins?
All brightly colored fruit and vegetables contain antioxidants. These are compounds which play an essential role in protecting our bodies. But, many naturally purple-colored foods contain a certain antioxidant called anthocyanin. These are beneficial plant pigments which give fruit and veg their deep red, purple or blue hues. According to medical professionals, anthocyanins have been epidemiologically associated with a reduced cancer risk, but the anti-cancer ability of the purple sweet potato is still being investigated.
The Anti-Cancer Properties of Purple Sweet Potatoes
Studies have also shown that the purple-fleshed sweet potato is packed with anti-cancer properties. Purple sweet potatoes have certain elements that are able to hinder the growth of specific cancers, including breast cancer, gastric cancer, and colon cancer by promoting the death of these cancer cells. The high anthocyanin content of this purple superfood is believed to be the reason behind its anti-cancer activity when it comes to breast and gastric cancers.
Additionally, the presence of carotenoids such as beta-carotene in purple sweet potatoes has also been reported as having a significant effect on reducing the risk of men becoming afflicted with prostate cancer. Plus, beta-carotene has also been found to be effective in preventing and reducing the risks of individuals developing colorectal cancer.
Purple sweet potatoes have a variety of anti-cancer properties — extracts from different parts of purple sweet potatoes have been shown inhibit the growth of breast, gastric, colorectal, and prostate cancer cell with relatively little or no effect on the growth of normal cells.
Looking For Great Tasting Purple Sweet Potato Foods? Try PURPO!
PURPO stands for purple (sweet) potato, and it is one of the main ingredients in our dairy free cereal cups. PURPO is the first granola cup made with purple sweet potato on the market. A great on-the-go snack, enjoying the benefits of purple sweet has never been easier, simply pour the oats into the cup, fill, pour, and stir water into the cup, and top with granola! If you want to try PURPO, use code SNACKPURPOSE at checkout and only pay for shipping! To learn more about the benefits of the first dairy-free cereal, contact us today!
