The last time you talked about sweet potatoes, we’re guessing the conversation went something like, “Sweet potato fries are the bomb dot com!” or maybe, just maybe, while sitting around a dinner table surrounded by friends you asked the philosophical question, “Hey guys, what’s the difference between a sweet potato and a yam?”
But what if we told you sweet potatoes just might be a godsend for millions of malnourished global citizens?
In June, four scientists with a sweet potato specialty (what a life) won the World Food Prize. Their work has been simple but profound—boosting the amount of Vitamin A and other nutrients in this easily cultivated staple crop, thus combating malnourishment in developing nations.
Vitamin A in particular has been a touchpoint for millions of impoverished individuals around the world. Research has shown that giving a Vitamin A capsule every six months to malnourished children could reduce their death rates by 25 percent.
One highly controversial solution is the genetically modified organism (GMO) Golden Rice, jacked up with loads of Vitamin A. Proponents of this crop frame it as the poster child for why GMOs are a boon to humanity. Opponents say that we should rely on organic ways of delivering Vitamin A, a naturally occurring element in some vegetables.
Enter the humble sweet potato.
[quote position="left" is_quote="true"]By 2030, we hope to reach a billion people with these bio-fortified crops.[/quote]
Maria Andrade of Cape Verde, Robert Mwanga of Uganda, and American Jan Low, all of whom work at the renowned International Potato Center in Peru, and Howarth (his nickname is “Howdy”!) Bouis of the D.C.-based HarvestPlus, have all spent many years researching sweet potato biofortification. According to Dan Charles of NPR, who trailed Andrade back in 2012, sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene, the nutrient which gives its distinct orange hue (see also: carrots). But the sweet potatoes in impoverished countries like Uganda and Mozambique have yellow or white flesh—their nutritional value is much lower. So the researchers took varieties of sweet potato that are much closer to what we eat here in the U.S., then figured out which ones would grow best in African soil. From 2007 to 2009 they distributed samples of these tubers to 24,000 farming households—the results were astoundingly positive.
But just because the team has been recognized on a global level doesn’t mean it has any plans of slowing down. In fact, the group says it aims to reach 10 million households by 2020. HarvestPlus founder Howarth Bouis adds, “By 2030, we hope to reach a billion people with these bio-fortified crops.”
It should be noted that biofortification can involve genetic modification; however, these sweet potato researchers used conventional breeding methods. It should also be noted that past winners of the World Food Prize have been GMO researchers—it’s not a deal breaker. Thankfully the sweet potato research evades all GMO controversy. And part of the researchers’ work is straight-up evangelism, convincing farmers to replace pale sweet potato varieties with their vividly hued cousins.
"We are still doing this: theater in villages, singing about orange flesh sweet potato, how good it is, how you feed it to your children, and showing recipes so that they get used to it," Andrade told Charles. One only hopes that sweet potato fries are included in the recipe book.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.