Yams have been known as food since 50,000 in Africa and Asia. It is a staple food in many other countries in South America. There are a number of health benefits of eating yam. It is a good source of vitamin C and B6, potassium, manganese, and dietary fiber. It protects the body against cardiovascular diseases which in recent reports refers to a protein (dioscorin) similar to ACE inhibitors. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is responsible for the narrowing the blood vessels and ihibiting kidney blood flow leading to high blood pressure. Although not confirmed, it is also observed that yams increase progesterone in women when eaten frequently. This property could be helpful in menopausal women and in pregnancy where firm implantation of the fetus is very important especially in women with a history of habitual abortion due to placental insufficiency. However more research is need for this “progesterone promoting” property.
Photos from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:YamsatBrixtonMarket.jpg
