Purple sweet potatoes are a good source of beta-carotene but are an even richer source of anthocyanin pigments, which act as antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation and boost your immune system. Purple sweet potatoes have about three times more anthocyanins than the average blueberry. . . . Orange-red to purple-fleshed sweet potatoes are rich in cyanidins and peonidins, two of the anthocyanin pigments with antioxidant properties. These antioxidants can help reduce the risk of toxicity from heavy-metal residues. Arsenic, cadmium, and mercury are the three most common metals likely to be present in the foods you eat, and eating sweet potatoes can help support your digestive system.
