Suffering from chronic constipation and looking for a natural remedy? You are in the right place. I will tell you a sweet remedy to help you. Eating sweet potatoes for constipation is an easy remedy.
Yes, sweet potato is delicious and can help relieve your constipation.
Sweet potatoes are one of the oldest vegetables known to our ancestors. They are easy to cultivate and store. They contain plenty of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.
Sweet potatoes for constipation
Their high fiber content is the reason that I recommend them to prevent constipation. A medium-sized sweet potato weighing about 250 g contains 7.5 g of dietary fiber. That is a quarter of your daily requirement.
Constipation happens when your stools become hard and dry. It is a common problem in people of all ages. Eating a diet that is low in fiber is a common cause of constipation.
The fiber in our diet passes through the small intestine without getting digested. It absorbs water in the large bowel and swells up. So, the feces become soft, bulky and easy to pass.
The high fiber content of sweet potatoes helps make your stools soft and easy to pass.
Some people think eating fiber-rich foods can cause indigestion, gas and a bloated tummy. That may be true for some foods such as beans and lentils. Sweet potatoes don’t cause those problems.
Sweet potatoes are easily digestible. They are suitable for people of all ages. You can give them to an eight-month-old baby, two-year-old toddler and an 80-year-old grandma.
Sweet potatoes are also suitable for pregnant mothers.
How to use sweet potatoes to relieve constipation
There are many ways to cook sweet potatoes. The easiest way is boiling. Cut them into big pieces and put them into a pan of boiling water. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can microwave them.
Boiled sweet potatoes are suitable for preventing constipation in babies.
I like baked sweet potato wedges. They are delicious and easy to prepare.
Preheat the oven to 250 degrees C. Cut the sweet potatoes into equal-sized wedges. Melt some butter in a saucepan. Add the wedges and toss to combine. Spread them in a baking tray and sprinkle some salt and pepper. Put the wedges into the oven and bake for 20 -25 minutes.
Your baked sweet potato wedges are ready to eat.
Other health benefits of sweet potatoes
They have large quantities of beta carotene. Our body can produce vitamin A from this beta carotene. In addition, beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant. Some studies suggested eating foods high in beta-carotene can lower the risk of getting bowel cancer.
- They are a good source of vitamin C that helps boost your immunity.
- Sweet potatoes contain large amounts of manganese and other essential minerals.
- The glycemic index of sweet potatoes is very low. So, people with diabetes can eat without any problem.
- They contain significant amounts of potassium, calcium, and iron.
Bottom line:
Sweet potatoes are rich in dietary fiber that can help relieve constipation. They are cheap, readily available and easy to cook. Eating sweet potatoes for constipation relief is good for your body. In addition, you can include other fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts to help prevent constipation.