Today is an excellent day to learn more about the health benefits of yams.
What are yams?
A yam is a starchy, less sweet, tubular root vegetable that is often confused with sweet potatoes.
Though they are often mistaken for sweet potatoes, they both share many similarities.
Both vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals and can be cooked in a variety of ways.
Here’s a list of the health benefits of yams.
- Yams may help with respiratory problems.
- Yam extracts might be able to kill bacteria.
- Your immune system might get a boost from yams.
- Yams might help get rid of inflammation.
- Yams are rich in antioxidants.
- Cholesterol might go down if you eat yams.
- The brain may work better if you eat yams.
- Yams might make you more fertile.
- Yams might help control blood sugar.
- Eating yams is good for your skin.
- Yams have many healthy nutrients.
- Yams are great for your hair.
- Your digestive health may benefit from eating yams.
- Your heart might benefit from eating yams.
- Yams may help ease the symptoms of the menopause.
- Yams could stop anemia.
- Yams may help with weight loss.
- Yams might be good for your eyes.
- Yams provide additional energy for your body.
If you want to learn more, please keep reading.
1. Yams May Help With Respiratory Issues
Did you know that yams may also help with respiratory issues?
Yams are packed with nutrients like potassium and magnesium, which have been shown to help improve respiratory function.
Additionally, the antioxidants in yams can help reduce inflammation in the lungs.
2. Yams Could Have Antibacterial Properties
The humble yam may not look like much, but this unassuming root vegetable could have powerful antibacterial properties.
A study suggests that yams could have antibacterial properties.
The study found that a compound in yams was effective in killing bacteria.
The compound, called diosgenin, is found in high concentrations in yams.
It has been shown to have antibacterial activity against a range of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.
The findings suggest that yams could be used to develop new antimicrobial agents.
The compounds in yams could be used to treat infections and prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
(Diosgenin: Recent Highlights On Pharmacology And Analytical Methodology)
3. Yams Might Help Your Immune System
Yams may also help keep your immune system functioning properly.
A compound found in yams, diosgenin, has been shown to boost the production of white blood cells.
White blood cells are an important part of the immune system, as they help fight off infection.
In addition to boosting white blood cell production, diosgenin has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.
This is important, as chronic inflammation can lead to a host of health problems.
4. Yams Might Make Inflammation Go Away (Favorite Health Benefit Of Yam)
One potential benefit of yams is that they may help to reduce inflammation.
Inflammation is a process in the body that can be caused by various things, such as injury or infection.
It is characterized by redness, swelling, and pain.
While inflammation is a necessary response in the body, chronic inflammation can lead to various health problems.
Studies on animals have shown that yams may help to reduce inflammation.
For example, one study found that yams helped to reduce inflammation in rats with arthritis.
The active compounds in yams that are thought to have anti-inflammatory effects are polyphenols and saponins.
5. Yams Are A Good Source Of Antioxidants
When it comes to antioxidants, yams are a great source.
Antioxidants are important because they help protect cells from damage.
Yams are a good source of antioxidants because they contain vitamins A and C.
These vitamins help to neutralize free radicals in the body.
Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause cell damage that can lead to chronic health conditions.
Yams also contain carotenoids, which are pigments that have antioxidant properties.
(Biological Activities And Applications Of Dioscorins, The Major Tuber Storage Proteins Of Yam)
Antioxidants can also be found in mushrooms like morels. Here’s an article about its health benefits.
6. Using Yams Might Help Lower Cholesterol
If you’re looking for a way to help lower your cholesterol, you might want to consider adding yams to your diet.
A study has found that yams can help lower cholesterol levels.
The study found that yams can help reduce LDL cholesterol levels. LDL cholesterol is the “bad” cholesterol that can clog arteries and lead to heart disease.
The study’s lead author says that yams contain a type of fiber that helps bind to LDL cholesterol and remove it from the body.
7. Yams May Help The Brain Work Better
Yams may help improve brain functions like memory and learning.
They are a good source of vitamins A and C, which are important for brain health.
Yams also contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that can help protect the brain from damage.
Studies have shown that people who eat yams have better cognitive function than those who don’t.
8. Yams May Make You More Fertile
A study suggests that yams may help improve fertility in men.
The study found that men who ate yams had higher levels of testosterone and better sperm quality than those who did not eat yams.
The study recruited 48 healthy men between the ages of 18 and 35 and asked them to either eat or not eat yams for four weeks.
At the end of the four weeks, the men who had eaten yams had significantly higher levels of testosterone and better sperm quality than those who did not eat yams.
While more research is needed to confirm these findings, they suggest that yams may have a positive effect on male fertility.
9. Yams Might Help Keep Blood Sugar In Check
Yams can help improve blood sugar levels by regulating insulin levels.
Insulin is a hormone that helps the body use and store sugar.
When insulin levels are too high, it can lead to diseases like diabetes.
Yams contain a type of carbohydrate called asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), which has been shown to help regulate insulin levels.
This makes yams a good food for people with diabetes or at risk of developing diabetes.
(Asymmetrical Dimethylarginine Induces Dysfunction Of Insulin Signal Transduction)
10. Your Skin Can Benefit From Eating Yams
If you’re looking for a delicious way to improve your skin health, try incorporating yams into your diet.
Yams are packed with nutrients like vitamins A and C that can help keep your skin looking its best.
They’re also a good source of fiber, which can help reduce inflammation and promote healthy cell growth.
So next time you’re at the grocery store, be sure to pick up some yams!
Another tasty way to enhance your skin health is by consuming mustard. Here’s my article about the health benefits of mustard.
11. Yams Are Full Of Nutrients
Yams are a great source of nutrients.
They are packed with vitamins and minerals, including potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C.
Yams are also a good source of fiber and antioxidants.
All of these nutrients make yams a great food for maintaining good health.
12. Nutrition Facts Of Yams Suggest That They Are Good For Your Hair
A little-known fact is that yams are good for your hair.
This starchy root vegetable is packed with nutrients that can promote healthy hair growth.
One of the key nutrients in yams is biotin, which is essential for keratin production.
Keratin is the protein that makes up your hair, skin, and nails.
Biotin deficiency can lead to dry, brittle hair that breaks easily.
Another benefit of yams for hair is that they are a source of vitamin A.
This vitamin helps to produce sebum, which keeps your scalp healthy and your hair shiny.
Vitamin A also helps to prevent dandruff and other scalp conditions.
So if you’re looking for a natural way to promote healthy hair growth, add some yams to your diet!
13. Yams May Be Good For Your Digestive System
The starchy vegetable is a good source of dietary fiber, which is important for promoting regularity and preventing constipation.
Fiber also helps to keep the colon healthy by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and preventing the growth of harmful bacteria.
Yams are also a good source of prebiotics, which are non-digestible carbohydrates that promote the growth of good gut bacteria.
If you’re looking for more options to improve your gut health, you should learn more about yams.
14. Yams May Be Good For Your Heart
Yams may be good for your heart due to their high nutrient content.
Fiber helps to lower cholesterol levels and prevent constipation, while vitamins A and C are antioxidants that can help to protect the heart from damage.
Manganese is necessary for proper metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, while potassium helps to regulate blood pressure.
15. Menopause Symptoms May Be Eased By Eating Yams
A study has found that eating yams may help to ease the symptoms of menopause.
The study looked at a group of women who were experiencing menopausal symptoms.
The women were asked to eat either a yam or a placebo each day for eight weeks.
The results of the study showed that the women who ate yams had significantly fewer hot flashes and night sweats than those who ate the placebo.
They also reported feeling less depressed and anxious.
The yam group also had lower levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which is thought to be responsible for some of the symptoms of menopause.
These findings suggest that yams may be a helpful natural treatment for menopausal symptoms.
16. Yams Might Help Stop Anemia
If you’re looking for a way to help fight anemia, you may want to consider adding yams to your diet.
Yams are packed with nutrients that can help improve the production of red blood cells.
They’re also a source of iron, which is essential for preventing anemia.
17. Yams Might Help You Lose Weight
While yams are not a low-calorie food, they may help you lose weight in several ways.
The roots of yam are edible, and they promote weight loss.
The fiber in yams can help you feel full and satisfied after eating, so you’re less likely to overeat.
Additionally, the natural sugar in yams is released slowly into your bloodstream, so it doesn’t cause spikes in blood sugar levels that can lead to cravings and overeating.
18. Yams May Help Your Eyesight
Another health benefit of eating yams is that it can improve your eyesight. This is according to a study.
The study found that participants who ate yams every day for six weeks had significantly better vision than those who did not eat yams.
Yams are a good source of beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body.
Vitamin A is important for vision and eye health. It helps to protect the surface of the eye and prevents night blindness.
The study was small, and more research is needed to confirm the findings.
However, if you are looking for foods that can help improve your eyesight, add yams to your diet.
19. Yams May Provide Additional Energy
Yams are an excellent source of dietary starch.
This complex carbohydrate is slowly metabolized by the body, providing a sustained release of energy.
They also contain vitamins and minerals that help support your metabolism.
Conclusion
In conclusion, yams offer a variety of nutrition benefits.
They are a good source of fiber, vitamins A and C, potassium, and manganese.
Yams may help regulate blood sugar levels, promote healthy skin and hair, boost immune system function, and reduce inflammation.
Including yams in the diet can be a delicious and nutritious way to promote overall health and well-being.
I particularly like that yams have anti-inflammatory qualities. This helps manage my arthritis.
Which one of these benefits do you like the most?
As a precaution, please ask your doctor first if it’s safe for you to consume yams for their health benefits.
I’ve also written a number of articles about the health benefits of other vegetables.
You can read more about them here.
Also, don’t forget to share this article with your family and friends if you find value in it.
Thank you!