A-Z Challenge 2014: ‘E’ for Elephant Yam

Elephant Yam is a root vegetable used all over India. It can irritate one’s skin while peeling and cutting. It is best to use it after boiling in water along with salt and turmeric powder. Boil well and throw away the water before preparing the vegetable to your taste.

It’s a tasty vegetable and suits even a person with diabetes while other root vegetables are best avoided by sugar patients. Elephant Yam is high in Vitamin B12 and is a nutritious addition to your diet. According to Wikipedia, Elephant Yam is used in Ayurveda to treat a number of diseases.

According to the Diet Health Club website:

• The trace minerals and key minerals present in Elephant Yam include copper, zinc, selenium, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium.
• The fibre content in it is naturally high and therefore, it is usually considered a slimming food, as it promotes weight loss and reduces the levels of cholesterol in the body. If Elephant Yam is cooked in the right way, it can be eaten without any fear of weight gain.
• It has a cooling effect on the body, which is why it is good for people who suffer from hypertension.
• Elephant Yams are very high in Omega 3 fatty acids; they help reduce the bad cholesterol in the body and increase the good cholesterol instead.

Elephant Yam
Picture Courtesy: http://shophop.co.in/• People who are undergoing treatment for piles are usually advised to eat high amounts of the vegetable.
• The anti-coagulating properties present in this Yam can prevent the blood from clotting.
• The glycemic index of this Yam is on the lower side, which is why it is good for people who are suffering from diabetes.
• The consumption of Elephant Yam is good for women, as it increases the Estrogen levels in their bodies, thereby helping them to maintain their hormonal balance. Since Yams are high in Vitamin B6 too, it can provide relief from pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS).
• Elephant Yams can help reduce irregular bowel movements & cure constipation.

I think that’s enough information to tell you that Elephant Yam should be a part of your diet on a regular basis – at least twice a month. It’s available throughout the year.