German and Tanzanian product researchers discovered HIV/AIDS curing properties in orange fleshed sweet potatoes which are grown across the Lake Zone regions.

Sweet Potatoes to Cure HIV/AIDS?

Sweet potatoes with orange flesh colour have been found to present curing properties against the deadly virus HIV that causes AIDS according to German and Tanzanian agricultural researchers. Orange fleshed sweet potatoes are largely grown in the Lake Zone regions like Tanzania.

These types of sweet potatoes have abundant components of CD4, which boosts immune system and helps decrease of CD4 levels on HIV patients. Moreover, the study also reported that this particular sweet potato contains high amounts of vitamin A, and thus could be used to solve vitamin A deficiency in poor rural areas.

Dr. Heneriko Kulembeka, expert from Ukiriguru, has reportedly visited various farms and plants producing the sweet potatoes. He remarked that beta-carotene has been found adequate to improve the vitamin A status of primary school children.

"Consumption of orange fleshed sweet potatoes improves vitamin A status and can play a significant role in developing countries as a viable long-term food-based strategy for controlling vitamin A deficiency in children," Dr. Kulembeka said to Daily News.

Additionaly, according to reports, preparing the orange fleshed sweet potatoes thru boiling, frying, or mashing (the usual methods used for everyday consumption) does not remove their highly nutritional values.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes of different colour types are eaten worldwide from western countries to eastern nations. Due to the versatility and economic value of sweet potatoes, many cuisines add the crop product for dessert, main dishes or in snacks.

In fact, sweet potatoes offer various nutritional benefits, such as:

  1. Carbohydrates for energy
  2. Protein for cell repair
  3. Vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene for better eyesight and improved immune system
  4. Lutein and Zeaxanthin for good eyesight
  5. Vitamin B1 for cardiovascular and nervous system
  6. Vitamin B2 for energy metabolism
  7. Vitamin B3 for skin, blood, nervous and immune system
  8. Vitamin B5 for various functionalities
  9. Vitamin B6 for skin, nerves and metabolism
  10. Vitamin C for anti-oxidation
  11. Vitamin K for blood, bone and other tissue metabolic functions
  12. Calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium

It is indeed nutritional and helpful to the human body. However, the challenge on the new-found discovery is combining it to current therapies used to fight HIV. The question still remains on whether the sweet potatoes would be able to stop the special viral trait that enables HIV to "cloak" from immunity responses.