Water Yam Slows down Ageing Process
Water yam can slow down the ageing process and boost the immune system, a nutritionist, Hajiya Jummai Abdul, has said.
Abdul
said water yam was good for diabetic patients because it contained
fibre, a substantial amount of antioxidants and Vitamin C and helped to
suppress blood sugar.
Water yam belongs to the family of dioscorea alata specie of yam, a tuberous root vegetable.
Abdul said the high fiber content in water yam could be used to manage pile (hemorrhage) and constipation.
“The
fresh roots of water yam contain good amount of antioxidant and Vitamin
C. The vitamin C in water yam plays so many roles in anti-ageing,
immune function, wound healing and bone growth.
“Also,
it contains small amount of vitamin E and beta-carotene level. The
tubers are in deeded one of the vegetable rich sources that has a lot of
minerals, like copper, it has calcium, it contains potassium, iron and
also phosphorus; these are all essential elements contained in water
yam.
“It’s good for diabetic patients; it suppresses the blood sugar because of the high fibre content.’’
According
to the National Cancer Institute, an online journal, antioxidants are
substances that may protect cells from the damage caused by unstable
molecules known as free radicals. “Free radical damage may lead to
cancer.’’
NAN reports that beta-carotene is good for vision, immunity and overall health.
Abdul also said water yam was a good source of the Vitamin B complex and energy, among others.
She
explained that anything that had fibre could help to prevent
constipation and also reduce pain for pile patients “because when it
comes to bowel movement, you have hard stool, but by the time you eat
water yam, the stool softens because of the fibre content.’’
The nutritionist also advised Nigerians to always eat local foods for good health.
