Sweet Potatoes are not only a nutritious food choice but also their leaves and shoots can be consumed for added benefits.
Uncooked Yams Cleanse the Blood, Cooked Yams Replenish the Blood
Pale-skinned yams are fantastic for improving skin health. Individuals with rough skin can achieve smoother skin by incorporating pale yams into their diet regularly.
Red-skinned, crimson-fleshed yams are extremely nourishing. They aid in blood and energy restoration, similar to the effects of red dates, with the added advantage that red dates are prone to mold formation.
Ladies with pale skin tones should increase their yam consumption for a rosier complexion.
A useful tip for utilizing raw yams: thoroughly chew them and apply the pulp on ulcers for alleviating pain. This technique is particularly beneficial with pale yams, which help stimulate cell regeneration owing to their anti-inflammatory and detoxifying attributes.
Yams are beneficial for the spleen and stomach. Children with weak spleens or stomachs should add yams to their diet for nourishment. For healthy children free from phlegm, yam consumption is entirely natural. Yams assist in balancing the digestive system. Individuals suffering from constipation can consume boiled yams, while those experiencing diarrhea from excessive alcohol intake can consume baked yams for relief.
Ingesting Yam Shoots Reduces Blood Sugar Levels
Many are unaware that yam shoots are edible. These have been acknowledged as a nutritious food for maintaining optimal blood sugar levels, particularly for individuals with diabetes.
Yam shoots also facilitate detoxification and aid in managing intestinal inflammation, skin irritation, and ulcers. If you’re experiencing stomach discomfort due to eating contaminated food, boiling water with aged yam shoots and ingesting it can provide relief. Applying mashed yam leaves to the affected area can alleviate skin pain, reducing swelling and drawing out pus.
Including Yam Skin in Your Diet Prevents Bloating
Although many adore yams, they often overlook consuming the skin. Yet, the skin of yams is a supremely nourishing part of this vegetable.
The skin and flesh of yams form a harmonious pair, just as the yin-yang concept. The flesh of yams is “nourishing,” while the skin is “detoxifying.” The flesh reinforces the spleen and stomach, while the skin aids in digestion. The flesh promotes energy, while the skin optimizes airflow. The flesh is acidic, whereas the skin is alkaline.
If you experience bloating or acidity after eating yams, incorporating the skin can help alleviate these symptoms.
However, exercise caution: if the yam skin turns black or develops brown spots, it indicates mold, and the yam should be discarded, especially the skin.
The Advantages of Consuming Yams:
1. Weight Management
Contemporary diets often include rich, fatty foods, dairy, and meat, coupled with sedentary lifestyles, leading to obesity and related health conditions. Yams are low in fat and calories, providing a satiating effect, making them an excellent food choice for weight management.
Just 100 grams of fresh yams contain a mere 0.2 grams of fat and supply only 99 kcal of energy—approximately one-third of the calories in rice. Therefore, yams serve as a fantastic low-fat, low-calorie option. If incorporated as a staple, they can significantly reduce the consumption of other foods, aiding in weight loss.
Moreover, yams prevent sugar conversion into fat, contributing to improved skin wellness.
2. Beauty and Skincare
Yams contain compounds akin to estrogen, assisting in reducing fat accumulation, softening the skin, and preventing wrinkles, fostering beauty and skincare.
Yams are rich in vitamins, proteins, lysine, and other nutrients that bolster the immune system, enhancing overall health and longevity.
3. Cholesterol Regulation
Yams are ten times more effective in cholesterol suppression compared to other foods. Hence, if you have high cholesterol levels, increasing yam consumption can be beneficial.
4. Blood Sugar Control
Studies indicate that individuals with type 2 diabetes exhibit enhanced insulin sensitivity and better blood sugar management post consuming pale yams.
5. Blood Pressure Regulation
The blood pressure-lowering effects of yams primarily stem from their high potassium content. Potassium and sodium play crucial roles in blood pressure regulation. Increased potassium intake aids in excreting excess sodium, balancing mineral levels in the body, ultimately reducing blood pressure.
6. Stroke Risk Reduction
Yams are abundant in potassium and low in sodium. Scientific research demonstrates that potassium-rich foods like yams can lower stroke risk by 20%.
7. Joint Nourishment
Yams are packed with mucin, beneficial for joint health.
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