3 weeks ago

Sweet Potato Vitamin A Claims Misleading, Varieties Differ Significantly

Sweet Potato Vitamin A Claims Misleading, Varieties Differ Significantly
One Sweet Potato, 400% Vitamin A: Surprising Health Benefits You Must Know · timesnownews.com

Sweet potatoes are a food that many people eat.

Some people say they give you lots of vitamin A. Vitamin A helps you see well and stay healthy.

Orange sweet potatoes are full of something called beta-carotene.

Beta-carotene turns into vitamin A inside your body.

White and purple sweet potatoes do not have as much of it.

So different kinds give you different amounts.

How much you eat also matters.

A bigger serving gives more vitamin A than a smaller one.

So saying every sweet potato gives 400% of your vitamin A is not true for all kinds.

Key facts

Primary food
Sweet potato
Key nutrient
Vitamin A (via beta-carotene)
Common claim
400% of daily vitamin A requirement (contested)
Highest beta-carotene variety
Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes
Lower beta-carotene varieties
White and purple sweet potatoes
Factors affecting vitamin A content
Variety and serving size

Sources

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