Sweet potatoes are not only tasty, but they also have many health benefits, including the possibility of making diarrhea problems better.
The Role of Sweet Potatoes in Relieving Diarrhea Symptoms
People have known for a long time that sweet potatoes can help stop diarrhea and keep the digestive system healthy. Because of the essential nutrients and fiber in sweet potato, they are a good addition to your diet if you have diarrhea. Sweet potatoes have-
#1 Binding Effect
Sweet potatoes have a lot of dietary fiber, which can help control bowel movements and cut down on how often diarrhea makes you have loose stools. [1]
#2 Nutrient Replenishment
Diarrhea can cause nutrient loss because it causes the body to lose more liquids. Sweet potatoes have a lot of important vitamins and minerals, like vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium, which help the body regain the lost nutrients. [2]
Soluble Fiber in Sweet Potatoes and Its Impact on Digestion
The soluble fiber in sweet potatoes is one of the main things that makes them good for treating diarrhea. [4] Soluble fiber is known for its ability to soak up water and make stools bulkier, which can help keep bowel movements regular.
How it works?
Water Absorption: The soluble fiber in sweet potatoes absorbs water in the digestive system, which can help make stools less watery and more solid.
Improved Digestive Transit: Soluble fiber speeds up the digestive process, making it easier for the body to receive nutrients and stop it from losing too much fluid through the stool.
Soothing Properties of Sweet Potatoes for an Irritated Gut
Sweet potatoes have properties that can help soothe an upset stomach.
Not only do sweet potatoes have a lot of fiber, but they also have healing properties that can help calm an upset stomach and reduce the inflammation that comes with diarrhea. Here are some of the ways in which sweet potatoes can help:
Anti-inflammatory Effects: Sweet potatoes have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that can help reduce inflammation in the digestive system. This can help soothe an irritated gut. [3]
Gentle on the Stomach: Sweet potatoes are usually easy on the stomach and well accepted. They are less likely to irritate the stomach, which makes them a good choice for people who have diarrhea.
Scientific Evidence on Sweet Potato good For Diarrhea
In a scientific study done in northern Mozambique, pushing biofortified orange sweet potatoes led to a significant drop in the number of people with diarrhea. The drop was 18.9 percentage points among children under three (95% CI: 6.6–68.3), and it was 11.4 percentage points overall (95% CI: 2.0–20.8). Also, the length of diarrhea events was shortened. These results show that biofortified orange sweet potatoes can help reduce diarrhea in children. This shows how agricultural measures can improve the health of children. [5]
Another study on mice reveled that purple sweet potato could relieve diarrhea. [6]
When rats were given raw sweet potato starch, it gave them diarrhea. Raw sweet potato starch caused diarrhea and seemed to make protein in food much harder to digest. This effect was lessened when the starch from the sweet potato was cleaned, and it went away when it was cooked. [7]
Another scientific study found trifostigmanoside I (TS I) in sweet potato that was effective in diarrhea control. [8]
Orange Sweet Potato was helpful in Reducing Diarrhea in Children [9]
A study found that the risk of diarrhea in children under the age of five who had eaten OSP in the past week was cut by 42%. When children under three ate OSP, the chance that they would get diarrhea was cut by more than half (52%). The OSP had an effect on both how often people got diarrhea and how long it lasted. When kids under five had diarrhea, eating OSP cut the length of the illness by more than 10 percent and by more than 25 percent when they were under two. [9]
Preparing Sweet Potatoes for Diarrhea Relief
When using sweet potatoes to treat diarrhea, it’s important to cook them in a way that lets you get the most out of them and helps your body digest them.
Methods of Preparing Sweet Potatoes for Maximum Benefits
Consider the following ways to prepare sweet potatoes to get the most relief from diarrhea:
Steaming keeps the nutrients in sweet potatoes and makes them easier to digest. Just peel and chop the sweet potatoes, put them in a steamer basket over hot water, and steam them until they are soft.
Boiling is another good way to cook sweet potatoes. Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into small pieces, then add them to hot water in a pot. Cook them until they’re soft enough to mash with a fork.
Mashing sweet potatoes can help calm a stomach that is upset. After boiling or steaming, mash the sweet potatoes with a fork or use a mixer for a smoother texture. Don’t add butter or milk or anything else that could make the diarrhea worse.
Baking is another method to keep the nutrients in sweet potato.
Check: Baking sweet potato recipe
Cooking Techniques to Retain Nutrients and Aid Digestion
Consider the following cooking methods to keep the most nutrients and help with digestion:
- Don’t cook them too long. If you cook sweet potatoes too long, they can lose some of their benefits. Cook them until they are soft but not so soft that they fall apart.
- Leave the Skin On: The skin of a sweet potato has nutrients and fiber that are good for you. When you cook them, you might want to leave the skin on (after washing them well) to get the most protein out of them.
- Pair with Spices That Help You Digest: Ginger, cinnamon, or turmeric are all spices that help your body digest food. These spices can help your gut system feel better and reduce swelling.
FAQ Related to Sweet Potato and Diarrhea
Should I eat raw or cooked sweet potatoes?
A: It’s best to cook sweet potatoes before eating them, especially if you’re trying to treat diarrhea with them. Sweet potatoes are easier to digest and have more health benefits when they are cooked.
Q: Can sweet potatoes cause diarrhea?
A: Most people can handle sweet potatoes well and they don’t make their diarrhea worse. But people may respond in different ways. If eating sweet potatoes makes you feel bad, you should talk to a doctor.
How much sweet potato do I need to eat to stop having diarrhea?
A: The amount of sweet potato you need to eat to stop diarrhea depends on your own situation. Start with small amounts, like half a cup to one cup, and add more as you can handle it. Watch how you feel and change the amount as needed.
By adding sweet potatoes to your diet, you may be able to find relief from diarrhea while getting the health benefits and soothing effects of sweet potatoes. But if your symptoms don’t go away or get worse, you should see a doctor to get a right diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan.