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                                     HEALTH BENEFIT OF WATER YAM

The yam, commonly referred to as wild yam, has been feeding the people of Africa and Asia since 50,000 BC. They are also used for their medicinal properties. It is important to note that in the United States, what is called a yam is a variety of sweet potato. Real yams can be found in some health food and Asian markets.
You should never eat a yam raw; it needs to be cooked to make sure any toxins are killed. They can be baked, boiled, fried or roasted. Use them in place of sweet potatoes in casseroles.In Nigeria there are many tasty recipes you can churn out using the water yam, my all time favorited is Ikokore, a delicacy from the Ijebus, a tribe in the western part of the country. For recipe of this lovely meal visit my page on the Facebook.
 • Cardiovascular Benefits – Yams are a very good source of B vitamins, especially high in B6. The B vitamins break down artery-damaging homocysteine. High levels of homocysteine in the blood may cause a heart attack or stroke in people who have normal cholesterol levels. Breaking down and removing it from your system will lower your risk for both of these life-threatening situations. The potassium content of yams will help keep your blood pressure under control; further reducing your chances for heart attack and stroke.
• Control of Blood Sugar for Diabetics – Being complex carbohydrates, yams break down into sugar more slowly than a simple carbohydrate. The sugar is released into the blood stream gradually over time, keeping sugar levels from going to high while keeping a steady supply to keep it from dipping too low. The manganese content contributes to this and to the production of energy during the process; keeping your body from becoming sluggish. If you are pre-diabetic, yams can help you to lose a bit of weight and regulate your blood sugar, keeping you from becoming diabetic and needing medication for it.
• Weight Control – yams keep a steady supply of sugar to the blood stream. This will keep you from becoming too hungry or craving something sweet to eat. The high fiber in yams keep things moving through your digestive system, keeping them from sitting in one place too long and turning into stored fat. Fiber also makes you feel full so you will not want or need to eat as much.
• Hormonal Balance, Menopause and Fertility – Yams contain diosgenins which aid in lessening the symptoms of menopause. They are able to help with the production of progesterone and estrogen, keeping your hormones in balance and preventing osteoporosis, breast cancer, mood swings and depression. The B6 helps in this area as well. Eating yams will also regulate your menstrual cycle, making becoming pregnant easier.
• Digestive Health – The fiber and starch content in yams will prevent constipation without causing diarrhea. It is also beneficial to people with ulcers or irritable bowel syndrome. They have been used for centuries for colic and upset stomachs.
• Cancer Prevention – As a good source of Vitamin C, yams have an abundance of anti-oxidants. These latch on to any free radicals in your system and prevent them from turning into cancerous cells. Vitamin C is needed for the production of Vitamin E, which is another anti-oxidant, further decreasing your cancer risk.
• Healthy Skin – Aiding in the replenishment of collagen, Vitamin C is also vital for a healthy, glowing complexion that does not look old, sallow and saggy. Cutting open a yam and applying the raw end to the skin will help heal abscesses and boils.