New Food Adventure: Purple Sweet Potatoes

Hawaiian Purple Sweet Potatoes, also known as Okinawan potatoes, are native to the Japanese island, Okinawa.

These unique sweet potatoes are richly nutritious as they're fat-free and low in calories, high in fiber, great for diabetics and people who are carbohydrate sensitive, and loaded with antioxidants.

A one cup serving of Hawaiian Purple Sweet Potatoes has only 140 calories, yet is packed with 4 grams of dietary fiber. Antioxidants help to prevent diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. They boost immunity, are anti-inflammatory, and keep bones and skin healthy.
The most powerful antioxidants are phytochemicals.  Anthocyanins are the phytochemical that give Hawaiian Purple Sweet Potatoes their distinctive rich color.  Anthocyanins are flavonoid compounds responsible for the beautiful bright purple flesh of Hawaiian Purple Sweet Potatoes. Anthocyanins from sources such as blueberries and Hawaiian Purple Sweet Potatoes have been shown to be powerful antioxidants, exhibiting greater antioxidant activity than either Vitamin C or Vitamin E.  Studies demonstrate that neither the anthocyanin content nor the antioxidant activity of the purple flesh was affected by common cooking methods. Hawaiian Purple Sweet Potatoes pigments offer protection from cancer and other diseases!

Studies show that Hawaiian Purple Sweet Potatoes have 150% more anthocyanins than blueberries, that’s 2 1/2 times the punch per serving!

My sister and I were shopping at a Thai Market in Layton, Utah and found these delicious and nutritious sweet potatoes that were imported from Hawaii.  You can probably find them at any specialty or health food store in the winter months.  I like to eat  these plain after steaming them for about 40 minutes because they are naturally sweet already!  Try them and you will not be disappointed!