10 Health Benefits Of Yam
10 Health Benefits Of Yam
Yam is a vegetable which looks like sweet potatoes. It is believed that yam was originally grown in west Africa. It is also believed to be associated with a number of African rituals. It comes in a large number of varieties. It is used as a vegetable for cooking meals. It is nutritious and offers a number of health benefits. Some of the health benefits offered by Yam are listed below.
#1. Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
Homocysteine is a substance which is directly responsible for damaging the blood vessel wall, which leads to cardiovascular disease. Yams are a very good source of vitamin B6. This vitamin B6 helps in breaking down homocysteine. Yams are very low in fat. It tends to reduce the consumption of fat. Yams also offer protection to the cell membranes of the body and help the absorption of all fat soluble vitamins. It thus protects the blood vessels from damage and prevents arteriosclerosis.
#2. Heart Health
Yam is a good source of dietary fiber. It is rich in vitamin B6. It also a good source of potassium. The fibre in the diet releases food slowly to the digestive tract. This has two benefits. It makes you feel full for a longer time and prevents you from over eating. This will help keeping the weight in check. The digestive system absorbs sugar slowly. This helps in maintaining and controlling the sugar levels in the blood. Vitamin B6 helps in preventing damage to the blood vessel walls and keeping them in good shape. All these help in prevention of heart disease and maintaining heart health.
#3. Controls Blood Pressure
Yam is a good source of potassium. Potassium helps in purging excess sodium from the blood. The B6 helps in maintaining blood vessels free of damage. The fiber content in yam helps in decreasing liver of LDL or bad cholesterol. All these help in keeping the blood pressure under control.
#4. Improves Digestion
Yam being a good source of fiber and potassium. Fiber helps in eliminating waste regularly. Potassium also helps digestive system. It stimulates the muscle contraction in the body. This also helps in regular bowel movement. These will help improve digestion and maintain a healthy digestive system.
#5. Prevents Cancer
The dietary fibre in yam prevents toxic compounds ingesting food. Yam is rich in anti-oxidants. It contains vitamin C. The anti-oxidants help in preventing the free radicals from causing cell damage thus preventing cancer.
#6. Prevents Ageing
Yam contains vitamin C, B6 and beta carotene. Yam is also rich in anti oxidants. Signs of ageing like wrinkles, dark spots, fine lines etc can be controlled by anti oxidants. Eating yam regularly ensures adequate supply of these anti oxidants which fight ageing and help in preventing aging.
#7. Hair Health
Regular consumption of yam improves blood circulation in the scalp. With the increase of blood circulation in the scalp ensures that hair gets its regular nutrition. This helps in maintaining the hair healthy and therefore prevents hair fall and premature greying.
#8. Control of Blood Sugar
Yam has complex carbohydrate. It is also rich in fiber. The carbohydrates and fiber ensure the reduction in the rate of release of sugar and the rate of absorption into the blood stream. It thus keeps your blood sugar under control.
#9. Weight Control
The dietary fiber in yam reduces the rate of release of food from the stomach to the digestive system. This will make you fell full for a longer time and prevents from over eating. It thus helps in controlling your weight.
#10. Control of Menopause
Yam among other things contains certain chemical substances like disogenins and steroidal ponins. These chemicals help in controlling hormonal patterns. Consumption of yam especially wild yams can reduce menopause symptoms.
