can you juice a sweet potato

Health Benefits of Raw Sweet Potato Juice

Sweet potato (ipomoea batatas) is delicious to eat, but did you know it also makes a wonderful juice? Drinking this nutrient-rich juice has been found to have a plethora of benefits for the body, ranging from regulating blood sugar levels to boosting the immune system. In this article, I’d like to cover the health benefits of sweet potato juice and encourage you to add drinking potato juice to your diet.

Benefits of Juicing Sweet Potatoes

Raw sweet potatoes are an outstanding source of Beta-Carotene, which converts to Vitamin A in the body. They are also a good source of Vitamin C, Copper, Manganese, and Vitamins B5 and B6.

One cup contains more Potassium than a banana. Additionally, niacin, Vitamins B1 and B2 and phosphorus are all found in this delicious vegetable.

With so many vitamins, minerals and health benefits, it’s surprising it isn’t more widely promoted to juice raw sweet potatoes, or use them in juice cleansing.

A rich vitamin C source, essential for a healthy immune system, helps boost the production of white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting off infections and disease. Additionally, sweet potato juice contains antioxidants, which help to protect the body against oxidative damage and boost overall immune function.

Is Sweet Potato Juice Good For You?

can you juice sweet potatoes

In short, yes, sweet potato juice is incredibly good for you. It is a nutrient-dense drink that can help to improve overall health and well-being. According to Immunologist Tim Kramer of the US Department of Agriculture, sweet potatoes are an excellent source of carotenoids that fortify the immune system.

Also, sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants that guard your body against unrestricted radical damage and chronic disease, encourage the growth of good gut bacteria, contribute to a healthy gut and shield against some types of cancer.

Sweet potato is not toxic when raw like white potatoes. Raw white potatoes contain solanine and chaconine enzymes, which can harm human health. It is perfectly okay to make raw sweet potato juice juice. If you want to try it, look at our sweet potato juice recipes.

8 Reasons Why Potato Juice is Good for You

sweet potato juice

Blood Sugar Regulation

Research has shown sweet potatoes are jam-packed with the protein hormone adiponectin. Adiponectin is important in modifying the body’s metabolism of insulin. In short, persons with insulin resistance or poorly regulated insulin metabolism generally have lower adiponectin levels.

Drinking raw sweet potato juice boosts adiponectin levels and promotes healthy insulin metabolism. This helps to prevent blood sugar spikes and crashes, making it a healthy juice for people with diabetes or those who are at risk of developing the condition.

Vitamin A & Cancer Fighting Properties

Sweet potato juice is a rich source of beta-carotene, which is converted by the body into vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for maintaining healthy vision, skin, and immune function. Additionally, beta-carotene has been found to have cancer-fighting properties.

One sweet potato gives you more than 400 per cent of your daily dose of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is one of the major vitamin hormones of the skin.

In a study by The Saarland University Hospital, Department of Dermatology (Germany), it was shown Vitamin A is necessary for the growth and maintenance of skin tissues and reproduction. This study also discussed the benefits of Vitamin A as a treatment for acne.

One sweet potato gives you more than 400 percent of your daily dose of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is one of the major vitamin hormones of the skin.

In a study by The Saarland University Hospital, Department of Dermatology (Germany), it was shown Vitamin A is necessary for growth and maintenance of skin tissues and for reproduction. This study also discussed the benefits of Vitamin A as a treatment for acne.

Vitamin A and its natural metabolites have been approved for the topical and systemic treatment of mild to moderate and severe, recalcitrant acne, photoaging and biologic skin aging, acute promyelocytic leukaemia and Kaposi’s sarcoma.

Reichrath (et al) Vitamins as Hormones, 2007

Retinoic acid (RA), a derivitive of Vitamin A was also shown to have anti-tumor properties. It also boosts the immune system and can assist in wound healing.

Purple sweet potatoes, in particular, the genetically modified version named “P40” has been shown to contain more anthocyanin than orange or white sweet potato. The American Institute for Cancer Reseearch suggests that consuming these variant of purple sweet potato has the potential for preventative benefits of colorectal cancer.

Adrenal Gland Protection

The adrenal glands produce hormones that help the body deal with stress. Potato juice offers high potassium levels, essential for proper adrenal gland function and reduce the negative effects of stress on the body.

Pantothenic Acid or Vitamin B5 supports and protects the adrenal glands. This can assist with stress and anxiety reduction and also help to promote hair growth.

Boost Iron Levels

Sweet potato juice is an excellent iron source, essential for producing red blood cells. Drinking potato juice in the morning can help to prevent iron deficiency anemia and improve overall energy levels. Iron is beneficial to fight fatigue, boosting your body’s immune system and preventing hair loss.

An article by UK NHS reveals that the absence of iron in the body may lead to iron deficiency anaemia manifested by hair loss. Another study reveals that one cup of sweet potatoes can supply 14% of the recommended daily iron intake.

Benefits of Sweet Potato for Hair

benefits of sweet potato juice

The nutritional benefits of drinking raw potato juice are not limited to weight loss and immune boosting. There are also pretty sweet benefits for your scalp and hair.

Sweet potato juice is an excellent source of beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A helps to promote healthy hair growth by stimulating the production of sebum, a natural oil that moisturizes the scalp and hair. Drinking sweet potato juice can also help to improve overall hair health and prevent hair loss.

Hair loss may also be a symptom of an ageing process caused by oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs due to an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants in the body which can damage body cells, including the hair follicle stem cells.

Consuming potato juice is not the only way to improve hair growth and prevent hair loss. Raw potato juice can be used as a hair mask or rinse. Using the juice directly on the scalp can:

  • maintain the proper ph level of the scalp
  • keep the scalp clean and healthy
  • prevent dandruff and fungal properties

Skin and Health

sweet potato skin benefits

Do you know that sweet potato vitamins can help fight acne?

Vitamin C is an active fighter for acne. They produce collagen, a protein necessary for the body to maintain glowing acne-free skin.

Most anti-acne topical creams you buy contain retinol. When absorbed by the body, Vitamin A is converted to Retinoic Acid (RA). Retinoic acid helps to fight acne and prevent other ageing symptoms like wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots and dull or sagging skin. So, skip the expensive skin creams and try nutrients for your skin direct from vegetables.

Digestive Health

When juicing fruits and vegetables, you remove the fiber content, but that doesn’t mean you are losing all the health benefits of potato juice. The soluble fiber found in sweet potato juice can help to regulate blood sugar levels, making it an excellent choice for people with diabetes or those who are at risk of developing the condition.

Reduce Inflammation

Sweet potato juice contains high levels of antioxidants, which help to reduce inflammation throughout the body. Chronic inflammation has been linked to various health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Drinking sweet potato juice can help to reduce inflammation and improve overall health.

Sweet Potato Nutrition Facts

According to the Food Data Central. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA ), 100g of orange sweet potato contains:

Calories86
Fat0.1g
Sodium55mg
Carbohydrates20g
Dietary Fiber3g
Sugar4.2g
Protein1.6g

Is Raw Sweet Potato Juice Toxic?

Raw sweet potato juice is not toxic. On the other hand, regular potatoes are toxic if eaten raw, as they contain solanine, which can be harmful to humans. Therefore, it is important to ensure that you only juice sweet potatoes and not regular potatoes.

Do You Peel Sweet Potato Before Juicing?

It is not necessary to peel sweet potato before juicing unless you want to. However, it is necessary to ensure you wash the sweet potatoes well to remove any dirt in the divets of the skin.

How Do You Juice a Sweet Potato?

Both centrifugal and masticating juicers are suitable for making potato juice. The juice yield is likely to be a little higher with a masticating juicer. You must cut your sweet potato into smaller pieces using a masticating juicer.

Can You Juice Sweet Potato Leaves?

Yes. Sweet potato leaves can be juiced. Like other leafy greens they are packed with vitamins. If you prefer, you can chop them and use in salads, for an excellent fiber boost.

When is the Best Time to Drink Sweet Potato Juice?

The best time to drink sweet potato juice is on an empty stomach in the morning. This will allow your body to absorb the nutrients more efficiently and can help to improve overall digestion throughout the day.

Can You Drink Sweet Potato Juice Every Day?

sweet potato health benefits

Adding raw potato juice to your daily juicing routine has a multitude of benefits for most people. Here are some risks associated with over-consumption of this nutritious juice: 

  • You could notice a slight change in your skin tone from the beta carotene. This is what gives this vegetable their orange color. You’re not likely to turn into an oompa-loompa drinking sweet potato juice. However, there is a condition called carotenemia. High doses of beta-carotene cause this over a long period. If you notice skin color changes, stop consuming this juice.
  • Consider what other fruits and vegetables you mix in. For instance, carrots and sweet potatoes juiced together are delicious. However, both foods contain high levels of beta-carotene. If you drank a large glass of sweet potato carrot juice multiple times a day, over time, it could increase your risk of carotenemia.

As usual, it is all about balance.

What Else Can You Do With Sweet Potato?

If you prefer not to juice sweet potato, they are excellent baked in the oven or the air fryer. Chop them into stalks and bake to make sweet potato fries or using a mandolin slicer, slice very thin and bake for home made potato chips.

You can steam them to make mashed sweet potato. Baking them whole is delicious, especially when you break open the baked sweet potato and add butter and cinnamon!

Sweet Potato Juice Recipes

Click here to browse my favorite juicing recipes that contain sweet potato. The resistant starch in sweet potato is what gives it such a creamy flavor in juices.

Please take note of the important advice below:

Important: Don’t mix Sweet Potato Juice with Grapefruit Juice

As outlined in this study grapefruit juice impairs the bio-accessibility of beta-carotene from sweet potatoes. If you’re experimenting with different fruits and vegetables with your sweet potato juice, we don’t recommend using grapefruit juice, as you may not receive the full nutritional benefits.

Conclusion

Sweet potato juice is an incredibly beneficial and nutrient-dense drink that can help to improve overall health and well-being. It is high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It has been found to have many health benefits, including regulating blood sugar levels, boosting the immune system, and reducing inflammation. However, it is essential to consume sweet potato juice in moderation and to be aware of any potential side effects or interactions with medication.

As always, consult your doctor before consuming potato juice to ensure its safe for you.