A superfood of sorts, kumara holds a lot of key nutritional benefits for everyone from your little ones, to your grandparents who need the extra nutrient boosts.
Having no known allergens, and high in nutrients, we will give you a few key facts around nutrients found in the humble kumara:
- Vitamin A: A medium kumara has over four times the recommended daily amount of vitamin A which plays a vital role in vision, bone development and immune function. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, so be sure to eat your kumara with a little bit of fat, like a pat of butter or a drizzle of olive oil, to maximize vitamin absorption.
- Vitamin C: Like citrus, kumara are a good source of vitamin C, which helps fight infections, heals wounds, and absorb iron. A medium kumara provides 37 percent of your daily recommended amount of vitamin C.
- Low GI: Glycaemic index (GI) shows how quickly food affects our blood sugar level when that food is taken. Kumara has very low GI, this helps food to digest slowly. Hence, it causes gradual rise in blood sugar levels over time.
- High in potassium and low in sodium
Benefits of Potassium:
- decreases blood pressure.
- Reduces risk of heart diseases and stroke.
- It helps to maintain fluid inside our cells.
- Prevent osteoporosis and kidney stone.
Benefits of Low Sodium:
- Decreases blood pressure.
- Decreases risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Decreases risk for cardiovascular diseases.
- Manganese: Kumara are a good source of manganese, which helps maintain normal blood sugar levels and optimal thyroid function.
- Fiber: Kumara are rich in fiber, a nutrient that bulks up food, keeping you full for longer. Fiber also keeps your bowels healthy and lowers cholesterol. A medium kumara baked in its skin has 4 grams of fiber, more than a packet of instant oatmeal.
- Complex Carbohydrates: Kumara are made of complex carbohydrates (energy) that are released at a steady pace for a constant source of vitality, so no sugar highs or lows to worry about.
- Antioxidants: Kumara is high in antioxidants compared to other vegetables. Antioxidants help reduce your risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Did you know?
Eating skin of the kumara also holds an added bonus! Lower Glycemic Index and provides additional nutrients!
