By Happiness Onyegbule
In Nigeria, this is the season of yams. Yams are a type of tuber vegetable that have many health and nutrition benefits.
Confiance News gathered that they are packed with nutrition. Yams are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They provide a good amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, manganese, copper, potassium, and other micronutrients that support various bodily functions.
They may enhance brain function. Yams contain a compound called diosgenin, which has been shown to promote neuron growth and improve memory and learning abilities in animal studies.
Diosgenin may also help increase the levels of estrogen hormones in postmenopausal women, which may ease some symptoms of menopause.
Yams may reduce cholesterol. Diosgenin may also have a cholesterol-lowering effect by inhibiting the absorption of dietary cholesterol and increasing the excretion of bile acids. A study in mice found that diosgenin reduced total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
These are some of the benefits of eating yams, but there may be more. Yams are also versatile and can be prepared in various ways, such as baked, boiled, mashed, or fried. You can enjoy them as a side dish or a main course, or even use them to make desserts or snacks. Yams are a delicious and nutritious addition to your diet.
