Camote or Sweet Potato Health Benefits

Name: Kamote or Camote

Scientific Name: Batatas Ipomoea

English Name: Sweet Potato 

Kamote as we call it in the Philippines but widely known as sweet potato. It is a vine with root crop which is commonly found in the Philippines. Kamote is easy to plant and grow in a warm climate like our country. They say that Kamote is originated in Mexico and introduced here by the Spaniards. It is easy to propagate kamote plant, it's done by cutting the tops and planting it then it will eventually grow and produce more vines, it can likewise be planted by burying the crop in a healthy soil .


Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy                 359 kJ (86 kcal)
Carbohydrates       20.1 g 

Sugars                    4.2 g 

Dietary fiber             3 g
Fat                             0.1 g
Protein                       1.6 g

Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamin A                    709 μg         (89%)
Beta Carotene               8509 μg      (79%)
Thiamine (B1)              0.078 mg     (7%)
Riboflavin (B2)             0.061 mg     (5%)
Niacin (B3)                    0.557 mg     (4%)
Pantothenic acid (B5)    0.8 mg         (16%)
Vitamin B6                    0.209 mg     (16%)
Folate (B9)                       11 μg         (3%)
Vitamin C                         2.4 mg      (3%)
Vitamin E                       0.26 mg       (2%)
Calcium                            30 mg        (3%)
Iron                                   0.61 mg     (5%)
Magnesium                     25 mg          (7%)
Manganese                      0.258 mg    (12%)
Phosphorus                        47 mg       (7%)

Potassium                          337 mg      (7%)
Sodium                               55 mg       (4%)
Zinc                                     0.3 mg      (3%)

source: wikipedia

Camote tops contains a lot of health giving nutrients that our body needs. It has a high content of iron that help keeps the brain active and alert. Kamote tops is high in calcium which keeps our bones, hair and teeth healthy. It also has phosphorus and it is a very good source of dietary fiber that helps improves our digestive system.

Some people believe that kamote tops when eaten regularly can cure diabetes and helps to  regulate the blood flows. Kamote leaves also support the supply of insulin that stabilizes the blood sugar. It also has a power to modulate the metabolism of glucose and blood liquid in the body. Kamote leaves and roots also has a fair content of vitamins A, B and C which are very essential in keeping our body healthy and active.

The root and leaves  of kamote is not eaten raw. The crop is usually boiled in water until cooked and eaten with sugar or grated coconut, this is how we eat kamote in the Philippines. The root crop of kamote is also one of the main ingredients of some Filipino dish like: nilagang baka, kaldereta and afritada. The most popular kamote recipe is "camote que" wherein the sliced kamote is deep fried in oil and added with caramelized sugar. Camote que is commonly found in Philippine streets as street food and commonly served as snack. Kamote leaves are also a recipe ingredients for Pinoy dish like: sinigang, ginisa with sardines and ensalada.

They say that eating kamote crop in the morning completes your body required nutrients that will keep you going for the whole day. Kamote leaves and crop are inexpensive so they are easy to find anywhere in the market. So start eating kamote now and make it a habit!