Cocoyam is a root food that boasts of many benefits for a healthy living. It has properties that prevent, fight and cure many diseases. Below the health expert warns against eating raw Cocoyam leaves and recommends how to cook Cocoyam to yield highest benefits to consumers.
Cancer Prevention
Taro root plays an important part in the antioxidant activity in our bodies. High level of vitamin A, vitamin C, and various other phenolic anti-oxidants found in taro root help to boost immune system and help eliminate dangerous free radicals from our system.
Free radicals are actually the dangerous by-products of cellular metabolism that may result in healthy cells to mutate and turn into cancerous cells.
By eliminating these free radicals, our general health is almost guaranteed. Cryptoxanthin, which is found in taro root, is directly related to a lowered chance of developing both lung and oral cancers.
Reduce Symtoms Of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Cocoyam is extremely beneficial for overcoming rheumatoid arthritis because low levels of Vitamin B6 are related to increased signs of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), like more severe pains.
Several researchers conclude that people with RA require comparatively more vitamin B6 than healthy people because they experience constant muscle aches and joint pain, owing to chronic inflammation. Vitamin B6 benefits include curbing pain and it can be useful in supplement form for controlling aches in the muscles and joints owing to arthritis.
Blood Pressure And Heart Health
Cocoyam consists of considerable amount of potassium, which is considered essential minerals that are essentially needed to remain healthy and efficient.. Potassium not only enables healthy fluid transfers between membranes and tissues throughout the body, but also helps to relieve stress and pressure on blood vessels and arteries.
By relaxing the veins and blood vessels, blood pressure can be reduced and stress on the overall cardiovascular system is reduced. Potassium is related to increased cognitive function because neural connections can be boosted when blood pressure is reduced and fluid transfer between neural membranes is optimised!
Immune Health System
Cocoyam plays an important role in the immune system. Vitamin C is found in taro roots, which helps to encourage immune system to create more white blood cells, which help to defend the body from foreign pathogens and agents.
Additionally vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, which moderately prevents the development of conditions such as heart disease and cancer.
Cramps
Consuming high potassium foods is directly related with decreased muscle cramping and improved muscle strength.
Cocoyam consists of considerable amount of potassium 615 mg, which is 13.09% of the daily recommended value.
Muscle cramps are one of the common side effects of low potassium levels. This happens when athlete becomes dehydrated and isn’t consuming enough potassium-rich foods before and after exercise.
Digestive Health
Cocoyam plays an important role in digestion because it consists of high level of dietary fiber (a single serving contains 11.32% of the daily requirement of dietary fiber)
Fiber is very important for supporting our gastrointestinal health. Fiber helps to add bulk to our bowel movements, thus helping food move through the digestive tract and facilitating improved digestion. Apart from that, it can help to prevent certain conditions like excess gas, cramping, bloating, constipation and even diarrhea.
A healthy, regulated gastrointestinal system can significantly boost your overall health and reduce your chances of various types of cancer.
Enhances Learning
Cocoyam consists of Vitamin B1 which is also known as thiamine is a crucial vitamin for increasing focus, energy, fighting chronic stress, and perhaps preventing memory loss. Several researches have linked thiamine deficiency to problems of learning and retaining information.
Cocoyam consists of 0.099 mg of vitamin b1 which is 8.25% of the daily recommended value.
Boosts Vision
As we have previously mentioned, Cocoyam is loaded with several antioxidants, like beta-carotene and cryptoxanthin. These antioxidants can also help to improve vision as well, by preventing the free radicals from attacking ocular cells and causing macular degeneration or cataracts!
Helps Maintain Dental Health
Cocoyam consists of phosphorus,, which is essential for both bone health as well as maintaining teeth and gum health. Calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus, they all play an important role in the formation and maintenance of dental health by supporting tooth enamel, jaw-bone mineral density and holding the teeth in place, therefore, these minerals and vitamins can also help heal tooth decay.
Diabetes
Apart from proper bowel movement dietary fiber can also help lower the chances of developing diabetes because it helps to regulate the release of insulin and glucose in the body. If you consume sufficient amount of Cocoyam in your regular diet then you can manage your glycemic levels and lower your chances of developing diabetes.
If you have diabetes, then fiber-rich foods like taro root can help prevent the spikes and plunges in blood sugar that can be so hazardous.
Thickens Hair
Cocoyam consists of significant amount of vitamin E which is a powerful antioxidant that helps to decrease environmental damage to your hair. It also promotes circulation to the scalp. Vitamin E oil can retain the natural moisture in your skin, which helps your scalp from becoming dry and flakey. This oil will also make your hair look healthier and fresher. You can use a few drops of vitamin E oil on your hair, especially if it is looking dry and dull.
Circulation Stimulation
Cocoyam consists of several mineral contents. But the presence of iron and copper in Cocoyam make it an important food to prevent anemia and boost circulation throughout the body. Both iron and copper are essential for the production of red blood cells that carry the all-important oxygen to our body’s systems and cells. By decreasing the chances of anemia (iron deficiency) and boost the flow of blood through the body, you can speed overall metabolism, growth of new cells, and general oxygenation of the body that is always a good idea to keep organs and systems functioning at their optimal levels!
Prevents Bone Loss
Copper present in taro roots plays an important role in slowing down bone loss and osteoporosis in older women when taken in combination with other important minerals like zinc, calcium and manganese.
Copper has bone-strengthening properties and its collagen-forming qualities encourage strong bones and connective tissues. Cocoyam consists of 0.179 mg of copper, which is 19.89% of the daily recommended value.
One caution is for this food and that is “do not eat the raw cocoyam leaves”.
Cautions About Cocoyam
Eating cocoyam can lead to kidney stones and gout as well as other health complications if it is not prepared properly by boiling for the recommended amount of time.
It can also be steeped in water overnight before cooking to further reduce the amount of oxalates.
To absolutely minimize risk, milk or other calcium rich foods should be eaten with cocoyam in order to block oxalate absorption. However, cocoyam is a staple food for many people around the world and should not be considered a high risk food after it is cooked.
Engage in exercises and do not forget, discipline is the watch-word for a healthy life.
Stay away from junk food , practice lifestyle changes, eat healthy, take lots of fruits, fibre, nuts and water while also ensuring that you sleep well.
(Inside Business)
