Resumen
- This chapter discusses the functional characteristics and potential uses of sweet potato leaves (Ipomoea batatas). Sweet potato is widely grown for its tuberous roots, which are rich in carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins, but its leaves also offer significant nutritional and health benefits. Sweet potato leaves are rich in essential minerals, vitamins, and bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, and alkaloids, which contribute to their antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, and cardioprotective properties. Additionally, the leaves have shown antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. These health-promoting qualities position sweet potato leaves as a promising food source for humans and animals. This chapter highlights the compositional differences between leaf varieties and explores culinary applications, harvesting practices, and preservation methods, emphasizing their potential as a functional food. Furthermore, sweet potato leaves are also considered valuable for animal feed due to their nutritional composition.