Health & Life

Is it safe to eat sprouted sweet potatoes? Do they increase or decrease nutritional value? Misunderstandings abound.

Sweet potatoes are a common root vegetable in Vietnamese cuisine known for their deliciously sweet taste. However, they are also prone to sprouting easily.

Administrator

16 March, 2024

When it comes to nutritional value, sweet potatoes are nutrient-rich tubers that are easy to eat and widely sold. Sweet potatoes are considered a good source of immune-boosting vitamins. They are rich in fiber and aid digestion, making them a type of root vegetable that supports weight loss.

Many types of sprouted tubers increase their nutritional value, such as sprouted vegetables and peanuts, but what about sprouted sweet potatoes?

Sprouted Sweet Potatoes

Amongst various vegetables and tubers, only sprouted potatoes are toxic due to the production of solanine, a highly toxic compound that can corrode the stomach, cause hemorrhage, and paralyze the central nervous system. Normal cooking methods cannot destroy this toxin; cutting off the green parts around potato sprouts also may not entirely eliminate the toxic substance.

Sprouted sweet potatoes, on the other hand, do not produce this toxin. When sweet potatoes sprout, their nutritional value is used to grow the sprouts and leaves, so the tubers become less sweet and lose their aroma. The taste of sweet potatoes changes, and the vitamin and mineral content decreases because they are used to sprout.

Sprouted sweet potatoes can still be eaten if they are not moldy and do not have black spots. When sprouted sweet potatoes show signs of mold or black stains, this is when they are at risk of producing ipomeamarone. This is a toxic substance that imparts a bitter taste to the sweet potatoes and can harm the body.

Therefore, when sweet potatoes have sprouted and become long, it is advisable to limit consumption, and if moldy or black spots appear, they should be discarded to avoid poisoning.

Sprouted Sweet Potatoes are Not Toxic, But If They Develop Mold or Black Spots, There is a Risk of Poisoning

How to Store Non-sprouted Sweet Potatoes

To store sweet potatoes for a longer period, you first need to select fresh, firm potatoes without any discoloration, dents, cracks, or splits. Choose potatoes that are of medium size and avoid those with brown spots or signs of infestation.

Sweet potatoes are prone to sprouting in a well-lit and humid environment. Therefore, wrap sweet potatoes in newspaper and store them in a cool, dry place. Do not use a plastic bag to wrap sweet potatoes, as it will make them damp and prone to sprouting.

Avoid storing sweet potatoes in the refrigerator because the airtight temperature inside the refrigerator can cause sweet potatoes to deteriorate. Moreover, the skin of the potatoes will dry out, wrinkle, and affect the texture and taste, making them less delicious.

If sweet potatoes are stored in a dry, well-ventilated place at a temperature of about 21 degrees Celsius, they can last for about 1 to 2 weeks. After that, they will naturally start to sprout.

If stored at higher temperatures, sweet potatoes are more likely to sprout, while at temperatures between 12 and 14 degrees Celsius, sweet potatoes will not sprout.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, sprouting can increase the nutritional value of various vegetables and tubers. However, only sprouted potatoes are toxic due to the production of solanine, a highly toxic compound.

Sprouted sweet potatoes do not produce solanine, so they are not toxic. However, their nutritional value changes as the sprouts and leaves grow, making the tubers less sweet and less aromatic. The vitamin and mineral content also decreases.

Yes, you can eat sprouted sweet potatoes as long as they are not moldy and do not have black spots. If they show signs of mold or black stains, they may produce ipomeamarone, which is a toxic substance that can harm your health.

To store sweet potatoes for a longer period, choose fresh, firm potatoes without any discoloration or damage. Wrap them in newspaper and store them in a cool, dry place. Avoid using plastic bags and refrigerators as they can make the potatoes damp and prone to sprouting.

The ideal temperature for storing sweet potatoes is around 21 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, they can last for about 1 to 2 weeks before naturally starting to sprout. Higher temperatures will encourage sprouting, while temperatures between 12 and 14 degrees Celsius will prevent it.