If you’ve recently purchased an air fryer, your world is likely being blown wide open with new recipes and creations.
The air fryer offers convenience, but that’s not all… It also uses significantly less oil than if you were to conventionally fry something or put it in the oven.
The air fryer is also super easy to clean up, which is a bonus for those of us who dread dishes.
Now, sweet potato fries have been a long-standing favorite of mine. And, in my opinion, they’re made even better with an air fryer! Plus, sweet potatoes have loads to offer our mental health.
These are super easy to make. And they also make for a great snack or side for any meal you’re having. My favorite is to enjoy these alongside a good steak!
Sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients that play crucial roles in brain function and mood regulation.
From their carbohydrate content (yes, carbs can be a good thing!) to their antioxidants and fiber, there’s lots to love here. Let’s take a closer look!
Sweet potatoes are primarily water and carbs.
In fact, they are an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, which are essential for brain health. These carbs help in the production of serotonin, which is important for regulating mood, anxiety, and happiness.
Unlike simple carbohydrates that cause rapid spikes and crashes in blood sugar, the complex carbs in sweet potatoes also provide a steady, sustained release of energy.
This can help stabilize mood and prevent the irritability and fatigue associated with blood sugar fluctuations.
And this makes maintaining stable energy levels throughout the day that much easier which can spill over into an overall better mental state and improved cognitive performance.
Related Article: Sweet Potato Hash With Chard & Bacon: Can This Delicious Dish Alleviate Your Stress?
Sweet potatoes contain significant amounts of vitamin B6—a vitamin essential for the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. These chemicals are vital for mood regulation, and adequate levels can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Studies even show how B6 can help lower anxiety and increase GABA—a neurotransmitter than promotes a relaxed and calm state.
Vitamin B6 also aids in the production of melatonin, which regulates our sleep-wake cycle. As we all likely know, sleep is essential for a good mood. Thus, this is just another avenue in which B6 in sweet potatoes further contributes to overall mental well-being.
The bright orange color of sweet potatoes comes from beta-carotene—a powerful antioxidant that converts to vitamin A in the body. Antioxidants help protect brain cells from damage caused by free radicals, potentially slowing cognitive decline and reducing the risk of age-related mental disorders.
These antioxidants may also help reduce inflammation in the brain, which has been linked to depression and other mental health issues. In most cases, a few more antioxidants is never a bad thing!
Sweet potatoes are a good source of magnesium, a mineral involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the human body that also plays a key role in regulating the body’s stress response. So, how does magnesium achieve this?
Well, magnesium helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system (the rest-and-digest side of the nervous system), which promotes relaxation.
In fact, low levels of magnesium have been associated with increased risk of depression and anxiety, making sweet potatoes a valuable addition to a stress-reducing diet.
The high fiber content in sweet potatoes supports digestive health, which is increasingly recognized as important for mental well-being.
The gut-brain axis, a bidirectional communication system between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system, plays a significant role in mood and cognitive function.
By promoting a healthy gut microbiome, the fiber in sweet potatoes may indirectly support better mental health.
Related Article: Stuffed Sweet Potatoes With Quinoa & Black Beans: The Perfect Mental Health Side Dish? | Mental Health Recipes
As always, one food will never be a cure-all, end-all to mental heath woes.
But the more we focus on nourishing our bodies so we feel good and function well, the better our mental and physical health will be. And these sweet potato fries can be a part of that; enjoy!
Read Next: 10 Stress-Reducing Foods to Help You Unwind and Relax
LATEST
August 28, 2025
August 27, 2025
August 26, 2025
August 25, 2025
Wake up to dailymotivation!
Get Motivational Quotes, Affirmations, and insightful content delivered to your inbox every morning!
