Sweet Potato ( Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam)

Owing to its special nutritional and functional properties, sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam) has become a research subject in recent years. Bioactive carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, carotenoids, anthocyanins, phenolic acids and minerals are the diverse nutrients present in the leaves of sweet potato. Different health benefits, such as antioxidant, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, antimicrobial and antiobesity, contribute to the specific composition of sweet potato leaves. Sweet potato leaves remain substantially underutilized in the commercial sense. To promote human health, sweet potatoes can be further grown as a sustainable crop for various nutritionally-enhanced and value-added food items. Therefore, the goal of this chapter is to give a broad view of the nutritional value, phytochemical composition and health properties of sweet potato leaves.