What is yam good for

Fiveleaf yam is inherent to Eastern Polynesia or tropical Asia. Zanzibar yam is inherent to Africa. Water yam has been noted to be inherent to Southeast Asia but Coursey indicated that water yam is not known in wild state anywhere in the world but was cultivated firstly in Burma or Assam.

It was transported to Eastern coast of Africa years before. Air yam is known from Africa and Asia and is inherent to both continents. The tubers of yam is conical or globose, cylindric or oblate. The plant bears twining to right stems which are ridged, glabrous having four narrow and membranous wings prickly at base. Leaves are alternate, simple having purplish red or green petioles of 4 to 15 cm.

Male spikes are solitary, form a panicle and are about 1. Flowers usually male are broadly ovate measuring 1. Female spikes are solitary.

Female flowers have six staminodes. Capsules are oblate, not reflexed measuring 1. Yams are usually in the family of tubers. It grows underground as well as harvested the same way as cassava.

Though not popular in the west, this food crop is well-known in rural area in Africa where it is grown mainly in dry areas because of its hardy nature as well as drought resistant characteristics. Yams may either be boiled or even cut and fried with some vegetables or even baked on dry heat prior to being eaten in breakfast. Being a starchy vegetable, it is made up of dietary fiber and complex carbohydrates which allows slow uptake to normalize the level of blood sugar.

Vitamin A helps to maintain healthy mucous membranes, skin, support healthy bones, increase night vision and protect mouth and lung cancers. It provides healthy amounts of potassium, fiber, metabolic B vitamins and manganese. Yams also contain riboflavin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, folic acid and niacin. Yams are used in Japanese, Korean and Chinese medicine as it contains allantoin which speeds up healing process when applied as poultice to abscesses and boils.

Since centuries, yam is used in traditional medicine of Korea, China and Japan. It possess allantoin which is a cell proliferate speeding up healing process when topically applied to boils, ulcers and other skin diseases. The decoction helps assist in stimulation and provides relief from cough, bronchial irritation and other respiratory problems. Yam slows down the appearance of signs of aging and makes the skin vibrant and younger.

Being loaded with Vitamin C, other nutrients and beta carotene it provides antioxidant properties. These nutrients eliminate harmful free radicals and prevent skin cell damage. It results in dark spots, fine lines and wrinkle free skin.

Vitamin C regenerates damaged skin, collagen production and makes the skin smooth and elastic. Place yam slices or grated yam over eyes to remove dark circles in eyes. Prepare a face mask by boiling yam, mash it and mix it with honey. Apply this paste to the face and let it remain for about half an hour and then wash it. This mask assist in skin rejuvenation and cleanses the skin by exfoliating it. Being a great source of Vitamin B6, it is essential for the body break down homocysteine that could damage blood vessels walls.

High presence of homocysteine results in heart attack. Vitamin B6 helps to lower the chances of development of heart diseases. Potassium is a vital component of body fluids and controlling blood pressure and heart rate with counteracting hypertensive effects of sodium. Yam has dioscorin which is helpful for hypertension patients. Dioscorin results in promotion of flow of kidney and lower blood pressure. Yam is helpful for menopausal women. It consists of enzyme which provides natural alternative to replacement of hormones in women reaching menopause.

Menopause symptoms such as nausea and hot flashes causes imbalance of hormones and could be treated with hormone replacement therapy. Yams possess diosgenins that affect hormonal patterns by lowering the symptoms of menopause. It is the chemical which is used in steroid production such as progesterone and estrogen. Traditionally roots have been used in combination with lactation. Vitamin B6 is a vital supplement for women with Premenstrual Syndrome especially depression that is provoke by it.

Summary Due to the nutrient density of yams, eating them is associated with a number of health benefits, including weight loss, antimicrobial effects, and improved digestive health and cholesterol levels.

They can be bought whole or as a powder, flour, and even supplement. Adding different seasonings to your yam dishes, such as cinnamon , nutmeg, oregano, or thyme, can diversify sweet and savory dishes. Summary Yams are nutritious, versatile, and easy to prepare, making them a great ingredient to cook with. Yams are linked to various health benefits and may boost brain health, reduce inflammation, and improve blood sugar control.

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This is a detailed review of glucomannan, a natural dietary fiber that has been shown to be an effective weight loss supplement. Yam - Ordinary. Yam, cooked, boiled, drained, or baked, with salt - Nutrition Facts.

Know nutrition and calorie facts in gms of Yam, cooked, boiled, drained, or baked, with salt. Includes - total fat, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals. View all. Medindia Newsletters. Subscribe to our Free Newsletters! This site uses cookies to deliver our services. OK, I agree No, give me more info. Exact requirements will depend on age, sex, and activity levels for calories. Sweet potato also contains B vitamins, calcium , and other essential vitamins and minerals.

Eating sweet potato skin can increase its nutritional value. The color of the skin can vary from white to yellow and purple to brown. However, whatever color it is, it will provide additional nutrients. When buying and cooking sweet potatoes, it is important to check that the potato is firm with smooth, taut skin. Roast sweet potatoes to bring out their natural flavor, and eat them without toppings.

Sweet potatoes have a naturally sweet and creamy taste. To roast them around a campfire or on a barbecue, wrap them in aluminum foil and place in the dying coals. Leave for around 50—60 minutes, until a fork slides into them easily. People who do not plan to eat the skins can put the potato into the coals without wrapping it in foil. To prepare a sweet potato quickly, prick it with a fork, wrap it in a paper towel, and put it in a microwave on high heat until soft.

Other ways to incorporate sweet potato into the diet include adding roasted sweet potatoes and pecans to a salad and topping it with balsamic vinegar, and adding sweet potato to pancakes or hash browns. Sweet potatoes contain potassium. A high potassium intake may not be suitable for people who take beta-blockers.

Doctors commonly prescribe these for heart disease , and they can cause potassium levels to rise in the blood. People with kidney problems should also take note of how much potassium they consume.

Consuming too much can be harmful to those with kidney problems. For example, severe complications can arise if a person with impaired kidney function consumes more potassium than their kidneys can process. Another risk to be aware of is that some fruits and vegetables are susceptible to contamination with pesticides. Every year, the Environmental Working Group rank products according to their likelihood of contamination.

In , sweet potatoes ranked 31st. Buying organic products or growing them at home are the best ways to minimize the risk of contamination.