Benefits of Yams
11. How to Selection
Yams are available in the market year around. Fresh tubers, however, are available in plenty by August when the annual harvest season begins at the end of the rainy season in western Africa. Aandnew yam festivalandcelebrated in symbolism to fresh crop and availability of fresh food in abundance all over Nigeria and Ghana with great fervor. In the super-markets generally you find small cut sections wrapped in thin plastic covers. Their interior meat is white to light pink depending up on the cultivar type with rich starchy flavor.
12. How to storage
Whole tubers are stored after drying several hours in the sunlight, in well-ventilated yam barns (traditional storage system), where they stay well for several months without refrigeration. Cut sections, however, are used early or stored in the refrigerator for immediate use.
13. Preparation and serving methods
Yams should never be eaten uncookedandsince they contain many naturally-occurring plant toxins including dioscorin, diosgenin and tri-terpenes. They must be peeled and cooked in order to remove these bitter proteins. Dioscorea opposita orandJapanese yamandis, however, eaten raw unlike its African brethren. Here, the whole tuber is briefly soaked in a vinegar-water solution to neutralize irritant oxalate crystals found in their skin. The root is then cut into small slices or grated to get a gel-like milk to add mouth-watering oriental recipes.
14. Medicinal uses
Yam tubers are used various traditional medicines in China, Korea and Japan. The mucilaginous tuber milk contains allantoin, a cell-proliferate that speeds the healing process when applied externally to ulcers, boils, and abscesses. Its decoction is also used to stimulate appetite and to relieve bronchial irritation, cough, etc.(Medical disclaimer).
15. Safety profile
Yams of African species must be cooked before safely eaten, because various natural toxin substances such as dioscorine can cause illness if consumed raw.and(Medical disclaimer). Yam varieties are classified as either andfirmand or andsoft.and When cooked, the former are more dense; the latter varieties become more tender and moist. Preparations can be as vast the varieties, including boiling, mashing, grilling, roasting, baking, or saut
16. 200 different varieties
Yam is available in around 200 different varieties with colors ranging from ivory, yellow to purple. The shape of this tuber is long and cylindrical with a rough exterior. The commercially important species of yam are White Yam, Yellow Yam, Chinese Yam, South East Asian and trifoliate yam. The plant which bears yam is a perennial vine which grows up to 2 meters in length. Yams are quite similar to sweet potatoes but they are no way related it.
17. Yam Nutrition Value
Yam is a good source of energy and each 100 grams contain 118 calories. It is mainly composed of complex carbohydrates and soluble fiber. It is an excellent source of B complex vitamins like Vitamin B6, Vitamin B1, riboflavin, folic acid, pantothenic acid and niacin. It also contains a good amount of antioxidants and Vitamin C.and It provides around 20% of the required Vitamin C in the body per 100 grams. It also contains small amounts of Vitamin A and beta carotene levels. It is a rich source of minerals like copper, potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus. 100 grams of yam provides 816 mg of Potassium.
18. Heals Skin Diseases and Cures Respiratory Problems
Yam has been used as a traditional medicine in China, Korea and Japan since centuries. It contains allantoin, a cell proliferate that expedites the healing process when applied topically on ulcers, boils and other skin diseases. Its decoction is also known to stimulate and relieve bronchial irritation, cough and other respiratory problems.
19. Good Source of Vitamin B6
Yam is a good source of Vitamin B6 which is needed by the body to break down a substance called homocysteine, which can damage blood vessels walls. High levels of homocysteine can also lead to heart attack despite having low levels of cholesterol. Thus, having a good supply of Vitamin B6 in the body is believed to reduce the risk of developing heart diseases. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids and controls heart rate and blood pressure by countering the hypertensive effects of sodium. Low intake of potassium-rich food can also lead to hypertension.
20. Supports Female Endocrine System
Yam is particularly useful for menopausal women.and It contains an enzyme that provides a natural alternative to hormonal replacement in women who have reached menopause.Wild yam is also known to support the female endocrine system. Its root has been traditionally used in conjunction with lactation. Vitamin B6 is an important supplement for Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) in women, especially the depression that is triggered by it.
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