Yam tea – What is it for, benefits and how to make it!
Yam tea is made from an almost magical vegetable. It even held a religious place in certain cultures like Africa. They even have an annual festival dedicated to yam tea . Iwa Ji is held by the Igbo people, which translates to eating yams. In India, it is associated with the goddess of wealth. As it is a hardy tuber that can grow almost anywhere and almost never dies.
It is also said to have eternal abundance, and people eat it on occasions like Dewali. In addition to its mystical nature, yam tea is a highly nutritious drink. They are consumed differently in different parts of the world and have numerous varieties.
You can eat them in so many different ways and make them part of your daily diet . You can use them instead of white potatoes when making mixed vegetable soup . Or eat them with roast beef or even stews. You can even fry them and make dumplings. A simple Google search will lead you to countless easy and some not so easy recipes.
Properties:
Yam tea is a wonderful source of dietary fiber and complex carbohydrates , which are slowly digested in the intestines without causing unnecessary fluctuations in blood sugar levels . This property makes it qualified as a low glycemic index food, suitable for people with diabetes.
Yams are also particularly rich in vitamins such as vitamin A , vitamin C and B group vitamins such as vitamin B6 , thiamine, niacin , riboflavin and folic acid . Minerals needed to support a healthy life such as calcium , copper, potassium , manganese, iron and phosphorus can also be found in yam tea .
What is it for:
Now that you know a little about Yam, I will tell you what it is for, Helps prevent certain types of cancer , helps women’s health, protects the heart, increases the immunity of our body, helps with weight loss, improves the system nervous, among other essential utilities for our health.
Yam tea benefits:
1. It acts in the treatment of the skin and cures respiratory problems:
Yam tea has been used as a traditional medicine in China, Korea and Japan for centuries. It contains allantoin , a cell proliferation that speeds up the healing process when applied topically to ulcers, boils and other skin conditions . Its decoction is also known to stimulate and relieve bronchial irritation, coughing and other respiratory problems.
2. Good source of vitamin B6:
Yam tea is a good source of vitamin B6 , which the body needs to break down a substance called homocysteine, which can damage blood vessel walls. High levels of homocysteine can also lead to heart attacks despite having low cholesterol levels. Thus, a good supply of vitamin B6 in the body is believed to reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
3. Supports the endocrine system:
Yam tea is particularly useful for menopausal women . It contains an enzyme that provides a natural alternative to hormone replacement in women who have reached menopause. Yam tea is also known to support the female endocrine system. Its root has traditionally been used in conjunction with lactation. Artificial progesterone is also added to wild yam as progesterone, androgens and cortisone were chemically manufactured from Mexican yarn in the 1960s.
4. Source of antioxidants:
Yam tea contains healthy antioxidants that also have anti-inflammatory properties. The beta carotene and vitamin C in this tuber work well to get rid of cancer -friendly free radicals . Free radicals can damage the body in reaction to DNA, so antioxidants work to reduce the damage caused by these free radicals. It is also an excellent food for arthritis and asthma sufferers .
5. Low glycemic index:
Diabetics can drink yam tea without worrying about their blood sugar level rising . A food’s glycemic index reflects the effects of the food on a person’s blood glucose level. Rapid absorption of glucose is not desirable, so yam tea raises blood sugar level slowly compared to simple sugars and is therefore highly recommended as a low glycemic healthy food.
6. Aids digestion and improves bowel habits:
The dietary fiber present in yams reduces constipation and lowers bad cholesterol . It contains good amount of potassium which aids in healthy digestion and stimulates the contraction of smooth muscle in the stomach for proper intestinal functioning.
7. Increases the body’s absorption of nutrients:
Daily consumption of yam tea can increase the body’s absorption of nutrients . It also protects valuable enzymes needed by the body for healthy cells and keeps the body in good condition. By drinking yam tea , all the vitamins and nutrients can be easily absorbed by the body in its liquid form.
8. Improves Cognitive Ability:
Yam tea also has the ability to increase the learning and memory capacity in the human brain. According to one study, people who consumed yam tea for 6 weeks regularly noticed a significant increase in the subject’s cognitive abilities. This is mainly due to the antioxidant compound present in yam tea . It can also help cure Alzheimer’s disease.
9. It works in the fight against cancer:
Yam tea can also be seen as a cancer inhibitor, especially colon cancer . The dietary fiber in this tuber prevents colon cancer by preventing the toxic compounds present in the food from adhering to the colon lining.
10. Source of energy and antioxidant:
Yam tea contains complex carbohydrates and fiber that gradually slows down the speed of release and absorption of sugars in the main stream. Being high in fiber, yam tea keeps you full without putting on those extra pounds. Yam tea is also a good source of manganese , a mineral that aids carbohydrate metabolism and is very important for energy production and antioxidant defenses.
11. Mediate metabolic functions:
The vitamins present in yam tea mediate various metabolic functions in the body. Carotenes are very essential for converting vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A maintains healthy mucous membranes and skin. It also improves vision . The vitamin C in yam tea plays an important role in fighting aging, improving immunity, wound healing and bone growth.
12. Help in producing RBC:
The minerals present in yam tea also play important roles in the body. Copper is very helpful for the production of red blood cells and improves blood flow in the body. Iron further improves blood circulation in the body. Manganese is used by the body as a cofactor for the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase.
13. Combats premature aging:
Yam has incredible anti-aging benefits. It contains amazing nutrients like beta-carotene, vitamin C , vitamin B6 and antioxidants that help prevent wrinkles and other signs of aging.
14. Stimulates collagen production:
It contains a large amount of antioxidants that protect the skin from the sun’s rays and environmental hazards. It stimulates the production of collagen in the skin and brings softness and elasticity to the skin. Yam tea also renews damaged skin and improves the appearance of the skin.
15. Promotes hair growth:
Yam tea is considered an excellent source of natural health-promoting compounds such as anthocyanins and beta-carotene. It also contains vitamin A, which is highly beneficial for cell growth, including hair growth . Beta-carotene deficiency can lead to dry, dull and lifeless hair, which turns into dandruff.
Yam tea recipes:
1. Yams with orange and ginger:
INGREDIENTS:
– 1 cup raw yam, peeled and chopped;
– 1 piece of ginger;
– Juice of 1 orange;
– 500 ml of water;
– Honey.
PREPARATION MODE:
- Mix all ingredients in a blender;
- Use honey to sweeten;
- Drink without straining.
2. Yam with orange, apple and lemon:
INGREDIENTS:
– 1 yam;
– 1 orange;
– 500 ml of water;
– 1 lemon;
– 1 apple.
INGREDIENTS:
- Peel the yam and chop it;
- Also chop the peeled apple;
- Whisk together with the water and the squeezed lemon and orange juices;
- If you want, sweeten it with honey or sugar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X602ZlkrWGQ
Side effects:
It is not an allergenic food and does not contain much oxalates or purines, but precautions should be exercised during consumption. Talk to your doctor if you suffer from kidney or gallbladder disease, as even small amounts of oxalates can also cause kidney damage. People who have a healthy digestive tract are better able to absorb the nutrients from yam tea without any side effects.