Sweet potato leaves are not only a rustic food but are also considered a "superfood" thanks to their significant health benefits, especially the ability to protect the blood vessel system.
According to research published in the Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition, sweet potato leaves are rich in polyphenols, especially chlorogenic acid - a powerful antioxidant that helps slow down the oxidation of LDL (low-density lipoprotein), which is the main cause of atherosclerosis.
Sweet potato leaf extract helps reduce total cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. quercetin and anthocyanin compounds in leaves also have anti-inflammatory effects, preventing vascular endometriosis damage - an important factor in the formation of artery plaque.
To maximize the benefits of protecting blood vessels, nutritionists recommend eating boiled or lightly steamed sweet potato leaves to retain the bioactive. Eat with healthy fat sources (such as olive oil, fatty fish) to increase the absorption of dissolved antioxidants in the oil.
Research also shows that eating 100g of sweet potato leaves regularly every day for 6 weeks helps improve blood vessel elasticity and reduce blood pressure in people with high blood pressure.
However, people with kidney stones or at risk of oxalate stones should limit eating a lot of sweet potato leaves due to the high oxalate content. Combining a diet rich in green vegetables, regular exercise and eating sweet potato leaves properly will contribute significantly to maintaining cardiovascular health and preventing dangerous blood vessel diseases.
