There are more than 400 varieties of sweet potatoes and while most of these have orange or cream-colored flesh, some have purple flesh. The purple sweet potato is a low-fat, low-calorie food that is high in nutrients.
Nutritional Profile
One cup of Belle Eden purple sweet potatoes contains 114 calories, 0 g of fat, 0 g of cholesterol, 6 g of sugar and 2 g of protein, according to the nutrition database at My Fitness Tracker website. Keep in mind that the nutritional profile of a purple sweet potato changes depending on how you cook and serve it.
Antioxidants
The purple sweet potato is a rich source of antioxidants. A serving of sweet potatoes provides more than 3.7 times the daily value of vitamin A, a nutrient most commonly found in animal-based foods. Vitamin A helps eyes adjust to different lights and helps keep skin, mucous membranes and eyes moist.
Anti-inflammatory
Purple sweet potatoes may help against inflammation. According to Weiqun Wang, associate professor of human nutrition at Kansas State University, the anthocyanin found in purple sweet potatoes may do more than just provide their distinct hue. It may also fight against inflammation, help the immune system and fight cancer.
Cooking
While cooking purple sweet potatoes is important to release the vitamins and minerals they contain, some methods are healthier than others. The healthiest way to cook purple sweet potatoes is to bake, boil or steam them. Frying sweet potatoes is a less healthy alternative because it increases their caloric and fat content significantly, as does adding high-fat sides like sour cream or butter.
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