What specific vitamin does the body convert beta-carotene, the pigment responsible for the orange flesh of sweet potatoes, into?
Answer
Vitamin A
The text explicitly states that beta-carotene, which is responsible for the signature orange color of sweet potatoes, is the pigment that the body converts into Vitamin A. This conversion process is critical because Vitamin A is essential for numerous bodily functions, most notably robust support for eye health, particularly in low-light conditions. The concentration of beta-carotene is so high that a medium baked sweet potato can provide over 400% of the daily recommended intake for Vitamin A, a level unmatched by white potatoes. This makes the beta-carotene to Vitamin A pathway a central component of the sweet potato's recognized health merits.
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