Google searches for “purple sweet potato,” also known as purple kumara, are on the rise, initially spiked by the popular Netflix documentary Secrets of the Blue Zones. The series focused on five Blue Zones, areas of the world in which people live exceptionally long lives, including Okinawa.
the secret of Okinawans’ longevity
The vibrant purple tubers are a staple of the diet in Okinawa and have become an important part of the culture. The vegetable is rich in anthocyanins, a powerful antioxidant that gives it its deep purple color and its many anti-inflammatory properties. Because inflammation plays a role in a number of chronic diseases, those compounds have the potential to help protect against such diseases as Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and even cancer. Purple sweet potatoes are also a good source of fiber and potassium, which can help lower blood pressure, and vitamin C, which helps support a healthy immune system.
About 60 percent of the calories in a traditional Okinawan diet come from sweet potatoes. The remainder of their meals are made up of other vegetables and soy products with low GI carbohydrates, some fish, and minimal portions of meat. Much of the longevity in Okinawa is attributed to this traditional diet.
the goodness of the sweet potato family
If you don’t have access to purple sweet potatoes, there are many other varieties more readily available around the world that offer wonderful nutritional benefits. Sweet potatoes of all colors—purple, reddish purple, orange, white, and cream—offer a range of nutrients similar to the purple sweet potato, including vitamins A, B, and C, potassium, and fiber.
While the purple sweet potato offers antioxidant anthocyanins, the orange sweet potato is richest in beta-carotene, which plays a similar role in overall health and disease prevention. The white sweet potato is less sweet and can be a replacement for the standard potato. When choosing your sweet potatoes at the market, look for the ones that are most vibrant in color, providing the most nutritional benefits possible. Happy eating!
Article courtesy of Sanitarium Health Food Company. For more information and heart-healthy recipes, visit sanitarium.com.au.
