Yams

Yams benefits include are highly nutritious, can improve your overall digestive health, can help with weight loss, can improve cholesterol levels, have potentially cancer-fighting properties, can strengthen your brain function, may alleviate inflammation, can potentially improve blood sugar levels, can promote fertility, may alleviate menopause symptoms, are great for your skin and hair, support a healthy heart and prevent Anemia and can improve your eyesight.

What Are The Health Benefits Of Eating Yams?

Are yams good for you? Yes, they are among the most flavorsome vegetables you can eat. As root vegetables that have been around for ages, yams also have a long history of use in alternative medicine.

Improved digestive health: Studies indicate that the resistant starch in yams may increase digestive enzymes that help break down food and increase the number of good bacteria in your gut.

 Helps in Weight Loss: 

Yams are rich in calories and dietary fibre. Studies have demonstrated that fibre aids weight loss. The roots of yam are edible, and they promote weight loss. Fibre passes through the digestive tract slowly. Therefore, they keep you feeling full for longer. As a result, they prevent cravings and overeating.

Ultimately, they prevent unhealthy weight gain. In addition, fibre also helps in improving gut health. Yams act as food for good bacteria and prevent the growth of harmful microbes. As a result, they help strengthen the immune response.

Improves Skin Health

Yams are rich in antioxidants which help to rebuild skin cells. These antioxidants may reduce oxidative damage caused by free radicals. In addition, yams contain vitamin C, promoting collagen production in our bodies.

It is a protein that helps maintain skin elasticity. Unfortunately, as we age, the collagen production in the body decreases. Therefore, yams can help us maintain collagen levels and improve skin health.

Studies suggest that vitamin C helps improve skin health. It protects the skin from sun damage.

Additionally, it also helps reduce wrinkles and skin ageing.

May reduce inflammation

The antioxidants in yams may help reduce inflammation. Chronic inflammation is linked to an increased risk of various conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Eating anti-inflammatory foods, such as yams, can help manage chronic inflammation.

6 Anticancer Properties

Cancer occurs due to the abnormal growth of cells. Oxidative damage by free radicals also causes cancer. Yams provide several antioxidants like phenols, flavonoids and vitamin C.

These antioxidants have anti-cancerous properties. Antioxidant vitamins help prevent the growth of cancer cells by reducing the free radical damage to organs. A study shows that antioxidants stop cancer cell growth. They may even destroy cancer cells.

Key Takeaways

Yam may help promote hair growth and aid in weight loss. It also helps fight inflammation and manages blood sugar levels. Yam is rich in potassium, which helps improve brain function. Consuming yams may cause alkaloid intoxication due to the presence of water-soluble alkaloids. Here are some common ways to enjoy yams:

Yam Fries

Cut yams into wedges, add seasonings, and bake or fry them.

Purée.

Boil the tubers until soft, place in a blender, purée, and season them.

Yam chips.

Thinly slice peeled yams and bake or fry them.

Mashed yams.

Peel, boil, and mash your yams, then add milk and seasonings.

Baked yams: Bake cubed yams until tender. Cheesy yam gratin. Thinly slice peeled yams and bake them with cheese and seasonings.

Yam hash. 

Peel, dice, season, and then cook your yams in a pan. Add into baked goods. Use yam purée to add moisture to breads and muffins.

Adding different seasonings to your yam dishes, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, oregano, or thyme, can diversify sweet and savory dishes.

References

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/yam-benefits#TOC_TITLE_HDR_8

https://www.healthifyme.com/blog/yam-benefits/?firstname=Kikelomojosephine12%40gmail.com

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