Health Benefits of Yam

Yams are starchy root vegetables grown in Africa and Asia; they are tubers grow underground and harvested the same way as cassava. Some people often confuse yams with sweet potatoes because of the similarity, but they are quite different. Yams belong to Dioscorea family while sweet potatoes are not. Yam tends to be dry and starchy, they provide an energy source and lots of other nutritional benefits. Yams can be barbecued, roasted, fried, grilled, boiled, baked, smoked and processed into a dessert recipe.

Yams are good source of vitamin B6, needed in the body to break down amino acid known as homocysteine, which damages the wall of the blood vessels thereby putting you at risk of heart attack, and vitamin C, which assists in tissue repair and wound healing, and its antioxidant properties help offset the cell-damaging effects of free radicals in your body. Protein metabolism requires vitamin B6, and B6 also functions in the synthesis of red blood cells. Thiamin, another B vitamin, helps you convert carbohydrates to energy; another benefits of Yam include carbohydrate, less protein and fat.

Yams are also rich in fiber, a type of carbohydrate, fiber helps maintain a healthy digestive tract, decreased risk of obesity, heart disease and some forms of cancer.  Yams also contain manganese, copper and potassium. According to the Texas Heart Institute says the important of manganese is not fully understood, although it is essential for good health and may help detoxify your body. Copper helps your body produce proteins such as haemoglobin, elastin and collagen. Potassium is involved in vital processes including energy production, muscles contraction and nerve impulses.

Here are many benefits Yam can offer:

Prevent cardiovascular disease: Yams are healthy, packed with many components, it tends to reduce fat consumption and not only that, yams protect the cell membranes of your body. They allow your body to absorb all fat-soluble vitamins, which prevent any cardiovascular disease.

Reduce blood pressure: Yam contains potassium, which is needed by the body to manage and control blood pressure level. Lack of insufficient quantities of potassium in the body has been associated with hypertension. Yams will give you the potassium that the body requires to manage blood pressure level.

Aid digestion: Yams are great source of fiber and  fiber aids can help prevent constipation, making one’s bowel movement easier to manage.

Reduce cancer risk: The antioxidant and other properties present in yam protect and defend the body from free radicals that can cause oxidative stress. Oxidative stress, or even “cellular rust,” is assigned to many different types of cancer. 

Fight ageing sign: Yam is packed with vitamins B6, vitamin C and antioxidants, which are skin-friendly nutrients just like beta-carotene that will help to avoid wrinkles and other signs and symptoms of ageing.

Proper functioning of eyes: The eyes should be protected against any harmful effects. The vitamin C in yams enhances and protects the immune system so you are not affected by disease, which can affect the eyes, the deterioration in eyesight and other conditions like macular degeneration are caused by weak immune system.

Protect the Heart: Yams are excellent source of Vitamin B6, good for managing high blood pressure levels and lowering the signs and symptoms of the hyperactive nature. Yams protect the body from heart attacks and other heart diseases.

Improve brain function: Yams are packed with many properties such as potassium, folate, and antioxidants, which provide neurological benefits. Folate is present in yam, which is known to reduce the Alzheimer’s disease. Potassium has been linked to increasing blood flow to the brain and improves cognition, concentration, and neural activity.

Promote hair growth: The vitamin C present in yam does not only improve the immune system, it also helps to create and maintain collagen, which is an important protein found in hair and skin.

Weight control:  Yams are rich in fiber and carbohydrate, which are broken down into sugars released and absorbed into the blood stream and since yams are filling, they keep you satisfy for a long period preventing stuffing yourself with unwanted foods.

Advice

• Yams are root vegetables and so are naturally prone to diseases and infestation of pests and pathogens. They may contain alkaloids that are toxic when ingested, ensure to choose mature yams at all times and select ones without breaks in the skin to ensure the vegetable is not infested with pests and microorganisms like fungus as well.
• Wash the peeled vegetable thoroughly prior to cooking to ensure the water-soluble alkaloids have been removed.
• Be careful when peeling the yam as close contact to skin can lead to itching.

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