Sweet potato in human diets

The sweet potato is also an important starch source in China, Vietnam, Korea and Taiwan, and the Philippines (Collado et al, 1999 Marter and Timmins, 1992). Although sweet potato may contribute essential nutrients, it is usually consumed for its sensory properties, as a substitute or supplement to corn, rice, or wheat or as the main ingredient of traditional, but infrequently consumed dishes in many developing countries (Shewry, 2003 Van Den and del Rosario, 1984). 

In 1999, sweet potato accounted for approximately 20% of the total world production of root and tuber crops (FAO, 1999). Asia is the largest sweet potato-producing region in the world, with an annual production of 125 million tonnes. China produces roughly 65% of the world s sweet potato, making it the leading supplier of sweet potatoes in the world (Hijmans et al., 2002). Latin America and North America produce about 1.9 million and 

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The overall objective of this chapter is to review the past, present, and future role of the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam) in human nutrition. Specifically, the chapter describes the role of the sweet potato in human diets outlines the biochemical and nutritional composition of the sweet potato with emphasis on its (3-carotene and anthocyanin contents highlights sweet potato utilization, and its potential as value-added products in human food systems and demonstrates the potential of the sweet potato in the African context. Early records have indicated that the sweet potato is a staple food source for many indigenous populations in Central and South Americas, Ryukyu Island, Africa, the Caribbean, the Maori people, Hawaiians, and Papua New Guineans. Protein contents of sweet potato leaves and roots range from 4.0% to 27.0% and 1.0% to 9.0%, respectively. The sweet potato could be considered as an excellent novel source of natural health-promoting compounds, such as p-carotene and anthocyanins, for the functional food market. 

Describe the role of the sweet potato in human diets... 

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