Yams are nutritious vegetables containing both macro- and micronutrients. They may have many health benefits, including relieving symptoms of menopause and lowering blood cholesterol levels. Yams (Dioscorea) are a type of tuber vegetable that originated in Asia, Africa, and the Carribean
Yams are not only an excellent source of fiber but also high in potassium and manganese, which are important for supporting bone health, growth, metabolism, and heart function (3Trusted Source, 4Trusted Source). These tubers also provide decent amounts of other micronutrients, such as copper and vitamin C. Copper is vital for red blood cell production and iron absorption, while vitamin C is a strong antioxidant that can boost your immune system
Benefits of yams include
- Yams contain a unique compound called diosgenin, which has been found to promote neuron growth and enhance brain function
- Blood levels of estrone and estradiol — two estrogen hormones — typically decrease during menopause. Improving estrogen levels may ease menopause symptoms
- Eating anti-inflammatory foods, such as yams, can help manage chronic inflammation
- Another study found that rats given higher amounts of purple yam extract showed reduced appetites, greater weight loss, and improved blood sugar control, compared with a control group
Yam production
Based on a comparison of 44 countries in 2022, Nigeria ranked the highest in yam production with 61,171 kt followed by Ghana and Ivory Coast. On the other end of the scale was Trinidad and Tobago with 0.015 kt, Belize with 0.048 kt and Bhutan with 0.055 kt. Total yam production reached 88,257 kt in 2022 in the World according to Faostat. This is 2.11 % more than in the previous year and 39.8 % more than 10 years ago. Historically, total yam production reached an all time high of 88,257 kt in 2022 and an all time low of 8,314 kt in 1962. The average annual growth amounted to 3.95 % since 1961.
