Not so long ago an exotic vegetable got into the CIS. His homeland is South America, it was originally used by Indians, who gave it the name "sweet potato". European conquerors, he became known as the "sweet potato". In our article we will answer the question of what it is, what it is eaten with and whether it is useful for people.
Calorie and chemical composition
Potato and Potatoes have nothing to doexcept, perhaps, tubers and a bit of a similar appearance. However, the inhabitants of South America very often eat it, just like the Europeans - potatoes. It happens this vegetable yellow, purple and orange varieties that differ in softness and sweetness. 
On average, sweet potatoes have a calorie content. 61 kcal per 100 g pulp.
It is rich in many substances, for example, as in potatoes, there is a lot of starch in it. At the same time, sugar in yams is much more than in potatoes, from which he got his alternative name - "sweet potato". Also in the tuber there are proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins of group B, vitamins C, PP, A, calcium, carotene, phosphorus, ascorbic acid. Riboflavin, thiamine, iron, niacin are present in the vegetable in large quantities.
Calcium and carbohydrates in tubers are much more than in potatoes, not to mention the delicate fiber, the source of which is this tropical vegetable.
Benefits and healing properties
Let's look at the usefulness of yam. Due to the content of vitamin B6 vegetable contributes strengthen blood vessels. If you have problems with the cardiovascular system and blood pressure, eat it in large quantities.
Since it contains vitamin C, yam is antioxidant. Ascorbic acid is included in the yam in much larger quantities than in onions and potatoes. Accordingly, the vegetable protects the body from free radicals that cause cellular corrosion, which leads to the formation of cancer cells.
Potassium in the tubers is incredibly positive effects on the nervous system. The trace element affects muscle contraction and the work of nerve endings in the body. If you are struck by chronic fatigue, stress, insomnia, neurosis - increase the amount of plants in your diet.
Excluding what is indicated in the contraindications, the beneficial properties of the sweet potato significantly contribute to the strengthening of the stomach walls, which is an excellent prevention from ulcers, gastritis and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. 
There are cases where the yam was very useful for women in menopause due to the content of female hormones. It is also used with reduced immunity and eye diseases.
In China, this vegetable is considered very useful and healing, it is used as a general tonic.
We advise you to read about the beneficial properties of vegetables: tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, green peppers, chili peppers, eggplants, onions (bulb, red, shallot, chives, batun), zucchini, pumpkins, peas, cabbage (white, red, Savoy, Beijing, Brussels, broccoli, kohlrabi, kale, pak choi).
Application in nutrition
Thanks to fiber, yam is very satisfying, but it does not cause obesity. This occurs as a result of the processing of complex carbohydrates into sugar and its further absorption into the blood. Thus, a person remains full for a long time and gets a small amount of calories, which is successfully used in diets.
Important! Despite its sweetness, the vegetable is considered an excellent diabetic product, as it lowers the level of glucose and stabilizes the amount of insulin in patients with diabetes.
Nutritionists say that sweet potatoes have a good effect on the prevention of cancer, and also restores the hematopoietic system. 
Cooked Potatoes from around the world
Potatoes are used in various cuisines around the world. It is used raw, boiled, baked, in the form of porridge, marshmallow, soufflé and even crisps. And also make it molasses and alcohol.
In French cuisine, the famous sweet potato dish is mini flans with vanilla and chicken fricassee. 
You can make a popular Indo-Chinese dish from this tuber crop - sweet potato gratin with coconut sauce. 
In Uganda, dried sweet potatoes are popular with coffee. 
In Japan, sweet potatoes are eaten whole. 
In China, ginger soup is made from the tuber. 
In Korea, they make transparent noodles out of it. 
Did you know? This vegetable has many varieties that differ from each other in both appearance and taste. There are tubers with taste of chestnut, banana, pumpkin, melon, etc.
Use in traditional medicine
Although the tubers of this plant and not used in official medicine, they are widely used in traditional medicine of many cultures of the world.
As an emollient and enveloping agent, they use sweet potato starch. This substance is used in the treatment of diseases of the digestive tract, as well as suspected cancer. By medical research, the property of this tubule, which has a low glycemic index, has been found to stabilize the level of glucose in the blood, and to reduce insulin dependence.
Antioxidant effect, which has tuber, is very helpful for disorders of the nervous system, depression, stress, chronic fatigue and insomnia. In folk medicine, it is also used for the removal of heavy metals, for menopausal disorders, and for lowering cholesterol in the blood.
With menopausal disorders use this recipe: pour 40 g of dried vegetable leaves with a liter of boiling water, leave for an hour, then strain. Take half a glass four times a day, half an hour before meals at high tides. The course of treatment lasts 28 days. 
There is also another option for the recipe: grate 200 g of tubers on a coarse grater with the peel, add two teaspoons of honey and a teaspoon of lemon peel. Should be taken several times a day for the occurrence of hot flashes and dizziness. Treatment should take place - three weeks.
Important! Store tubers at a temperature of 16 °C, permissible humidity - from 50 to 90%.
In the prevention of acute gastric or duodenal ulcers, the following recipes are used:
- 30 g dried leaves of yam, 10 g of yarrow herb and 5 g of calendula flowers pour 300 ml of boiling water. Insist half an hour, then strain. Take half a glass twice a day, one hour before meals. The course of prophylactic treatment should be held twice a year for two weeks.
- Mix 100 g of grated yam with the peel with some honey. Take a tablespoon three times a day one hour before meals. The course of prophylactic treatment should be held twice a year for three weeks.
Did you know? Since the end of the 16th century, it is known that the sweet potato increases libido (sexual desire), this is disclosed in the scientific treatise of Thomas Maffet "On the improvement of health".
For hypertension and nervous disorders, eat 200 g of boiled yam with fresh carrots and boiled beets twice a week. 
Application in cosmetology
This American vegetable is very popular in cosmetology in the field of skin rejuvenation and getting rid of wrinkles, making the skin shine. Early skin aging is caused by free radicals, which are destroyed by beta-carotene, which is abundant in this vegetable.
Batat helps to restore the elasticity of the skin of the body and face. Thanks to vitamin C, the vegetable restores the production of collagen and the skin becomes elastic.
Yam can be prepared for many masks for face and body, as well as masks for hair growth.
Contraindications and harm
Despite the benefits that, of course, brings sweet potatoes, in some cases it can carry and harm to health.
You should not use tubers in any form for such diseases and conditions:
- duodenal ulcer;
- diverticulosis;
- diverticulitis;
- ulcerative colitis;
- spastic ulcer;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- individual intolerance to the product and substances that are part of;
- kidney disease;
- diseases of the urinary tract.
With each new product on your table you need to make acquaintance very carefully. Learn how to prepare tubers and its combination with food known to you. In the event of a rash, nausea, vomiting or other negative manifestations after consumption, it is necessary to immediately give up the sweet potato. If after this your health does not recover - contact your doctor.
This exotic vegetable is an excellent substitute for potatoes or pumpkins, it is very useful and can be grown in our latitudes. Try sweet potatoes once and he will become a frequent guest at your table.
