Sweet Potato Pie Recipe - Sweet Potatoes Health Benefits

The skin of the sweet potato ranges in color from white to yellow, orange, or orange-red. Sweet potatoes can be cooked in a pot of boiling water just as regular white russet potatoes. It is the ‘soft’ varieties that are called "yams" in the United States. Orange-skinned sweet potatoes have a high source of beta-carotene. And they are full of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory nutrients, and blood sugar-regulating nutrients. In Africa, sweet potatoes have been shown to be a highly effective way of providing school age children with daily vitamin A. There are more sweet potatoes health benefits listed in the article.

Vitamin A

Sweet potatoes contain fibrinogen, one of the key glycoproteins in the body that is required for successful blood clotting. Proper amounts of fibrinogen, is a key part of the body's health and its ability to heal wounds faster. The sweet potato is beneficial for diabetic patients. They are amazingly effective in regulating blood sugar levels by helping proper secretion and function of insulin. Vitamin A, also known as retinol, is a fat-soluble vitamin that is only in animal foods. Vitamin A, when converted into the retinal (retinaldehyde) form, is necessary for healthy vision for your eyes. The antioxidants of vitamin A fights free radicals that can harm the skin through oxidative stress. Eating sweet potatoes can assist the skin with maintaining proper moisture retention, a youthful appearance, and protects skin from common dryness.

Beta carotene benefits include high anti-aging properties. The best food sources of beta carotene are:

• Lettuce
• Pumpkin
• Squash
• Cabbage
• Dark green leafy vegetables
• Cooked carrots
• Carrot juice
• Sweet potatoes
• Cantaloupe

Beta carotene intake reduces risks of many cancers, heart problems, premature aging, cataracts and other illnesses. Research proves that 'Beta carotene supplements' taken daily will help increase white blood cells that are low in AIDS patients.
Low Beta-Carotene levels are associated with the development of lupus. Research also shows that beta carotene can reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men. Now we know all the vitamin benefits of eating sweet potatoes. Remember, sweet potatoes aren't just a tasty dessert but it is a very healthy food.

• 3 large Sweet potatoes
• 1 stick of Butter (Dairy Creamer or Land O' Lakes)
• 1 cup of white Sugar
• 1 cup of brown Sugar
• 4 Eggs 1 ½ cans of Carnation Evaporated Milk
• 2 tablespoons of Nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon of Vanilla
• 3 tablespoons of flour

Boil the sweet potatoes with the skin on them until they are very soft. Peel off the skin. Then mash the sweet potatoes in a large bowl with a 'potato smasher' or a fork. First, mix the sugars, butter and eggs, nutmeg, vanilla, and the 'Carnation Milk' in a separate bowl. Finally, add the sweet potatoes, and 3 tablespoons of flour; mix all the ingredients together; mix well. Add the mixed sweet potato filling into a 'pie crust pan.' (Flour pie crusts can be bought for about $1.00 for 2 pans). Leave the pie or pies into the oven for about 40-45 minutes or until the pie is firm. Cook in an oven of 350 degrees. Use a 9 inch pie crust pan. Sweet potato filling can make up to 3-4 pies. And there you have it; delicious sweet potato pie.

© Sabrina A.K.