Kenyans have been urged to eat sweet potatoes to reduce chances of getting cancer and other chronic diseases.
Speaking in Nakuru on Monday during a cancer awareness workshop, Dr Lydia Asiko from Karatina University said sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene especially in the orange and yellow varieties.
She said vitamin A which is found in sweet potatoes is an excellent nutrient for eye health and and has been linked to prevention of vision loss,boost one immunity.
Asiko said sweet potatoes protects one against the effects of ageing and also is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight of cancer especially breast and ovarian cancer.
She said sweet potatoes have a negligible amount of saturated fats and sodium, the two are major contributors to disease related to the heart.
"Sweet potatoes have very small amount of saturated fats and sodium which are the major contributors of heart disease," she said.
Dr Asiko said potatoes are recommended diet for people suffering from hypertension and arteriosclerosis.
"Potatoes are good diet for people suffering from hypertension"she said.
Sweet potatoes contain magnesium, an anti-stressing minerals which promotes relaxation ,calmness and good mood as well as blood, bone muscle and nerve health.