Some varieties of potatoes have shown interesting results in cancer research studies. First – purple potatoes: A study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry [1] has found that potatoes, especially the purple kind, have strong anticancer properties. Potatoes contain a type of starch that our body breaks down into a substance called butyric acid. Butyric acid regulates the immune function of the gut, reduces inflammation and can cause cancer cells to self-destruct. Besides butyric acid, purple potatoes also contain high levels of anthocyanins (pigments found in various red, orange and purple fruits and vegetables) which can suppress the growth of colon cancer stem cells. The anticancer property of anthocyanins was so potent it was able to inhibit the growth of colorectal cancer cells by as high as 48 percent. [2]
Now on to sweet potatoes: In a study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, [3] the authors found a protein in sweet potatoes that can effectively stop the proliferation and metastasis of colon cancer cells in the laboratory. This protein, aptly called sweet potato protein or SPP, is a breakthrough substance in the field of cancer research.
Sweet Potato Protein Can Stop Lung Cancer Metastasis In Vivo
Given that SPP can strongly inhibit colon cancer growth in lab tests, it’s no surprise that according to animal research findings, it can do the same to lung cancer in mice. This could translate to possible lung cancer human application in the future.
Purple Sweet Potatoes Show Potential As A Treatment For Breast And Stomach Cancers
(Note, these are purple sweet potatoes, not the same as ‘ordinary’ purple potatoes. In the early research findings, purple-fleshed sweet potato extract showed promise in inhibiting the growth of both breast and gastric cancer. Researchers are now convinced of the potential application of sweet potatoes in both the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industry. [4]
Tips For Getting The Best From Your Sweet Potatoes
Baking is the way to go: Baking is a delicious way of enjoying sweet potatoes, not only that, a finding published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry [5] says it is healthier. Weirdly enough, sweet potatoes when baked produces an extract that was confirmed to induce death in leukemia cell based on lab studies.
Keep The Skin On: Peeling sweet potatoes can be a chore. So it’s great news that you may not have to peel them at all. Lab research has shown that the skin contains constituents that are rich in antioxidants capable of protecting against head, neck, breast, and ovarian cancer. [6]
Additional Health Benefits Of Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes Are Rich In Nutrients
Sweet potatoes are naturally rich in vitamin A, C, B1, B2, B3 and a whole host of minerals. Added to that, they are also rich in fiber and boast a low score on the glycemic index scale. This makes them perfect for those looking for ways to help them lose weight and regulate their blood sugar. [7]
Sweet Potatoes Are Great For Weight Loss
The same sweet potato protein mentioned earlier has also been linked to weight loss. Japanese researchers noticed that when mice are fed a high-fat diet together with SPP, their blood tests showed decreased levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and elevated levels of hunger-controlling hormones. This provides proof that sweet potatoes can be beneficial when used in a weight loss diet. [8]
So the next time you visit your grocery, give sweet potatoes a shot. You’ll get more than what you are paying for and then some.
The Science Behind Sweet Potato’s Anti-Cancer Properties
Sweet potatoes have been gaining significant attention in cancer research due to their remarkable bioactive compounds that demonstrate promising anti-cancer activities. Let’s delve deeper into the scientific mechanisms and evidence supporting sweet potato’s potential as a natural cancer-fighting food.
Molecular Mechanisms of Sweet Potato Protein (SPP)
The sweet potato protein (SPP) mentioned earlier works through several sophisticated cellular pathways to inhibit cancer growth. Research published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology revealed that SPP significantly inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of human colorectal cancer SW480 cells in vitro. [9] The protein achieved this through multiple mechanisms:
1. Apoptosis Induction: SPP triggers programmed cell death in cancer cells by activating caspase-dependent pathways and modulating pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins. [9]
2. Cell Cycle Disruption: Studies show that SPP can arrest cancer cells at specific phases of the cell cycle, preventing them from completing division and proliferation. [9]
3. Metastasis Inhibition: One of the most promising aspects of SPP is its ability to reduce cancer cell migration and invasion, which are critical steps in metastasis. [9]
In animal models, SPP demonstrated remarkable efficacy against both intraperitoneally xenografted human colorectal cancer HCT-8 cells and spontaneous lung metastasis of murine Lewis lung carcinoma cells. [9] What’s particularly interesting is that both oral administration and intraperitoneal injection of SPP proved effective, suggesting potential for different therapeutic applications. [9]
Purple Sweet Potato: A Phytochemical Powerhouse
Purple sweet potatoes contain an impressive array of bioactive compounds with distinct anti-cancer mechanisms:
Anthocyanins and Cancer Signaling Pathways: The rich purple color comes from anthocyanins, which have been shown to interfere with the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway—a commonly mutated pathway in cancer cells that regulates numerous physiological processes. [10] By modulating this pathway, anthocyanins can effectively halt cancer progression.
Keap1-Nrf2 Pathway Regulation: Research indicates that compounds in purple sweet potatoes can activate the Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway, which enhances cellular defense mechanisms against oxidative stress and carcinogenesis. [11][10]
Anti-inflammatory Effects: The caffeoylquinic acid derivatives found in purple sweet potatoes inhibit the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and the NF-κB pathway, thereby reducing inflammation—a known contributor to cancer development. [11][10]
A comprehensive review published in the Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences concluded that purple sweet potato can promote apoptosis, induce cell cycle arrest, inhibit proliferation and cancer progression in multiple cancer cell types. [10]
Beyond Colorectal and Lung Cancer: Emerging Research
While the focus has been on colorectal and lung cancers, emerging research suggests sweet potato’s anti-cancer properties extend to other cancer types:
Breast Cancer: A study published in Scientific Reports isolated a glycoprotein called SPG-56 from sweet potatoes that demonstrated significant anti-breast cancer activity in MCF-7 cells. [12] This glycoprotein, consisting of 2.9% sugar and 97.1% protein, inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis of breast cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. [12]
Prostate Cancer: Research published in Carcinogenesis found that sweet potato greens extract (SPGE), rich in polyphenols, exhibited significant antiproliferative activity in prostate cancer cell lines while sparing normal prostate epithelial cells. [13] The extract perturbed cell cycle progression, reduced clonogenic survival, and induced apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. [13]
Liver Protection: Studies have shown that anthocyanin-rich purple sweet potato beverages improved serum hepatic biomarkers in individuals with borderline hepatitis, suggesting potential hepatoprotective effects that could be relevant for liver cancer prevention. [14]
Clinical Relevance and Future Directions
While most studies on sweet potato’s anti-cancer properties have been conducted in laboratory settings and animal models, their findings have important implications for human health:
Translational Potential: The fact that sweet potato compounds show efficacy through both oral administration and injection in animal models suggests potential for development into nutraceuticals or pharmaceuticals. [9]
Synergistic Effects: Research indicates that sweet potato compounds may work synergistically with conventional cancer treatments. For instance, purple sweet potato anthocyanins (PSPA) were found to significantly ameliorate doxorubicin-induced heart failure, suggesting they could potentially reduce chemotherapy-related cardiotoxicity. [14]
Preventive Applications: Regular consumption of sweet potatoes, particularly purple varieties, may offer a practical dietary approach to cancer prevention through their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimutagenic properties. [11][10]
Safety Considerations and Contraindications
Despite their numerous health benefits, it’s important to be aware of potential considerations when incorporating sweet potatoes into your diet:
Oxalate Content: Sweet potatoes contain oxalates that may contribute to kidney stone formation in susceptible individuals. [15] Those with a history of kidney stones should moderate their intake and ensure proper hydration.
Blood Sugar Management: While sweet potatoes have a lower glycemic index than regular potatoes, individuals with diabetes should still monitor their blood sugar levels when consuming them. [15]
Allergic Reactions: Though rare, allergic reactions to sweet potatoes can occur. Symptoms may include itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing, requiring immediate medical attention. [15]
For most people, however, sweet potatoes represent a safe, nutritious food with potential cancer-fighting properties that can be readily incorporated into a healthy diet.
Culinary Applications to Maximize Benefits
The way sweet potatoes are prepared can influence their anti-cancer properties:
Baking vs. Boiling: Research suggests that baking sweet potatoes may enhance their anti-cancer properties. A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that baked sweet potatoes produced extracts that induced death in leukemia cells in laboratory studies. [16]
Skin Retention: The skin of sweet potatoes contains compounds with antioxidant properties that may protect against various cancers, including head, neck, breast, and ovarian cancers. Whenever possible, consider keeping the skin on when preparing sweet potatoes. [16]
Combination with Other Foods: Pairing sweet potatoes with healthy fats like olive oil or avocado can enhance the absorption of fat-soluble antioxidants, potentially amplifying their anti-cancer effects. [16]
Sweet potatoes represent a promising natural approach in the fight against cancer. Their diverse bioactive compounds work through multiple mechanisms to inhibit cancer cell growth, induce apoptosis, and prevent metastasis. While more clinical studies are needed to fully establish their efficacy in humans, the existing evidence provides compelling reasons to include this nutritious root vegetable in a cancer-preventive diet.
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