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Sweet potatoes aren’t just that sweet, tasty vegetable that you eat on holidays. These potatoes are actually full of minerals and vitamins. Here we are going to talk about health benefits of sweet potatoes for the elderly. Below you have five reasons to eat these root vegetables even after Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Sweet Potatoes Boost Immunity

With age, seniors tend to have a weaker immune system. It is more prone to diseases than it was at their young age. Sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene, which increases the T cell count in seniors’ body. These cells are adept at fighting infections. Also, they contain Vitamins B and C, iron, and phosphorus. All of these can boost immunity.

They Keep the Digestive Tract Healthy

The skin of the sweet potato is rich in fiber. Like you know from one of our earlier articles, foods rich in fiber are useful in relieving constipation, and can even prevent colon cancer. There are plenty of reasons to eat these sweet roots, several more than you might think.

Health benefits of sweet potatoes for elderly 1
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Sweet Potatoes are Good for Heart Health

These roots are an excellent source of potassium. This mineral is good for maintaining normal blood pressure, heart function, and the right electrolyte levels in the body. This root is excellent for older adults who are less mobile and can’t strengthen their hearts through exercises.

Good for Eye Health

Like other fruits and vegetables rich in beta-carotene, these can prevent macular degeneration. Also, our body is adept at converting beta-carotene in Vitamin A, which is good for avoiding eye conditions such as dry eyes and night blindness. Also, both beta-carotene and Vitamin A can reduce risks of eye infections in seniors.

Act as Pain Relief for Elderly Adults with Arthritis

Thanks to beta-carotene, magnesium, Vitamin B, and zinc, these root vegetables can help older adults with arthritis. When you boil sweet potatoes, you can use the water you boiled them in to rub into your joints to lower arthritis pain.

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