Bioscience Evidence 2025, Vol.15, No.6, 260-269 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/be 262 3.2 Vitamins Sweet potatoes contain A variety of vitamins, among which vitamin A is particularly abundant, mainly existing in the form of beta-carotene. The orange-fleshed sweet potato has the highest content of beta-carotene, reaching up to 133 mg/100 g (dry weight). It also contains vitamin C, ranging from 8.17 to 106 mg/100 g (dry weight). B vitamins (such as B1, B2, B6, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin) and vitamin E can also be found in sweet potatoes (Abewoy et al., 2024). Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes are often used to help prevent vitamin A deficiency. 3.3 Minerals Sweet potatoes are a good source of minerals. It contains potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium, among which potassium has the highest content, and calcium and phosphorus are also relatively abundant. The mineral content varies greatly among different varieties. Some purple-fleshed and yellow-fleshed types show more prominent performance in certain minerals (Etim et al., 2024). 3.4 Proteins and amino acids The protein content of sweet potatoes is generally between 2% and 12% (dry weight). Its amino acid composition is relatively balanced, containing essential amino acids such as lysine, threonine, and valine (Pasaribu et al., 2025). The protein content varies significantly among different varieties, and some varieties can serve as protein supplements to a certain extent. 3.5 Phytochemicals and antioxidants Sweet potatoes are also rich in a variety of phytochemicals, including polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins and carotenoids, etc. Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes have a high content of beta-carotene, while purple-fleshed ones contain more anthocyanins and polyphenols. Therefore, their antioxidant capacity is more prominent. These components can help with antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and lowering blood sugar, and may also play a role in fighting cancer. 4 The Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes 4.1 Blood glucose regulation and diabetes management Sweet potatoes contain components such as polyphenols, flavonoids and anthocyanins, which are believed to help regulate blood sugar and may also improve insulin sensitivity. Many animal experiments and in vitro experiments have found that sweet potato extract can lower blood glucose, improve glucose tolerance, and promote the recovery of pancreatic β cells (Arisanti et al., 2023; Hu et al., 2025). Some small-scale human studies have also shown that eating sweet potatoes may slightly reduce glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), but the evidence is not strong enough and more clinical trials are needed for confirmation (Qin et al., 2022). 4.2 Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects Substances such as polyphenols, anthocyanins and carotenoids in sweet potatoes all have antioxidant capabilities, which can help eliminate free radicals and reduce oxidative stress (Escobar-Puentes et al., 2022; Saenjum et al., 2025) (Figure 1). Purple sweet potatoes and orange sweet potatoes have particularly good antioxidant capacity. Studies also pointed out that the leaf and root extracts of sweet potatoes can reduce inflammatory responses by inhibiting inflammatory factors such as IL-6 and TNF-α through the Nrf2 pathway (Matsumoto et al., 2024; Yen et al., 2025). 4.3 Digestion and Intestinal Health Sweet potatoes are rich in dietary fiber and resistant starch, which can promote intestinal peristalsis and help prevent constipation. They can also regulate the diversity of gut microbiota and improve the function of the intestinal barrier. Some studies have found that polysaccharides in purple sweet potatoes can improve the intestinal environment of mice with colitis models and reduce inflammation (Sun et al., 2022). 4.4 Enhanced immune function Sweet potatoes and their leaves contain polyphenols, flavonoids and polysaccharides, which can affect the activity of the immune system. Studies have shown that they can increase the index of immune organs and enhance the
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