Pork and Sweet Potatoes // Nutrient Benefit List

The following nutrients and their benefits were inspired by the Pork With Spiced Sweet Potatoes & Cherry Chutney Recipe I shared today, but are also found in many other foods. Did you know that 100g of pork provides 65% of your recommended daily allowance of Thiamin?

• Thiamin (Vitamin B1)* - essential for the metabolism of carbs into energy, and important for the repair and growth of muscle fibers, making it extremely efficient for after-workout sustenance.

• Vitamin B6** - helps decrease the amount of the chemical homocysteine present in our bodies, which has been linked with degenerative diseases. It has also been linked to the prevention of heart attacks.
• Niacin (Vitamin B3)* - All B vitamins help convert food into energy and are essential for the breakdown and use of fat and protein. Their needed for the health of hair, skin, nails, eyes, and liver, and also help the nervous system work properly. Niacin helps improve circulation, and it also produces various sex and stress-related hormones in the adrenal glands, so I would assume having a healthy balance of this vitamin would be a top priority! It's been used in trying to lower LDL bad cholesterol and fat levels in the blood. (Just to clarify, poultry, meat, and dairy contain tryptophan, an amino acid the body converts into niacin)
• Vitamin C** - Most know the importance of Vitamin C in helping prevent cold and flu viruses,  but it's also surprisingly crucial in digestion, bone, teeth, and blood cell formation. Who woulda known? Women tend to know that it's considered an antioxidant, which have been linked to collagen production and maintenance of skin's youthful elasticity. To even further the magic of this vitamin, it even appears to ward off harmful toxins linked to cancer and is important in helping our minds cope with stress!! Just wow.

• Iron*** - Most know that Iron is important for red and while blood cell reproduction, mostly because women are at risk of becoming deficient through monthly menstruation, and clues such as getting the mineral from bloody meats. But what most don't know is that it plays a pretty important role in healthy energy levels, resisting stress, immune function, and protein metabolizing.
• Zinc* - The importance of Zinc lies in it's ability to aid in many aspects of cellular metabolism. It has a job with immune function, protein and DNA synthesis, cell division, wound healing, and has a critical role in the proper growth and development stages of pregnancy. It's also crucial to proper sense of taste and smell.
• Magnesium** - The ultimate relaxation and anti-stress mineral. Important for healthy artery, blood, bone, heart, muscle, and nerve function.

*Found in Pork. Mineral benefits of these nutrients regulate the release of your energy throughout the day, strengthen bones and boost your immune system.

**Found in sweet potatoes

***Found in both

Sources:

Photos: proactiveforacne.com, dinnertool.com, dietandnutritionsource.com

Information: umm.edu, anyvitamins.com