Yam is a very common vegetable in our daily life, and many people enjoy eating it. As a kind of root vegetable, yam is rich in substances such as amylase and polyphenol oxidase. It is helpful for digestion of the spleen and stomach, and yam can even be used as both a medicine and a food. For some patients with spleen-yang deficiency, it has a good nourishing effect. However, not everyone can eat yam! What are the benefits of eating yam?
1. Yam contains a large amount of amylase, which can promote digestion. Yam is a food that can nourish the spleen and stomach. If we eat it regularly, it can prevent gastric inflammation and gastric ulcer.
2. Yam is also a natural medicine for nourishing the lungs and moisturizing dryness, which can benefit the lung qi and nourish the lung yin. It is a good medicine for elderly people who suffer from chronic cough and wheezing. For people who smoke heavily, eating more yam can help to relieve cough and remove phlegm.
3. Yam is also rich in calcium. When the mucous polysaccharide substances in yam combine with inorganic salts, they can increase the elasticity of cartilage. Therefore, eating yam regularly can prevent osteoporosis and fractures in the elderly.
4. Yam also contains mannan, mucin protein, and saponins, which can lower blood lipids and prevent blood sugar elevations caused by irregular eating habits.
5. Finally, yam contains a substance called mucin protein, which can prevent fat from depositing in the vascular wall, maintain the elasticity of the blood vessels, and treat vascular system diseases. Therefore, eating yam regularly can also prevent cardiovascular diseases.
In conclusion, there are many benefits of eating yam regularly. However, not everyone can eat yam. What should we pay attention to when eating yam? Who should not eat yam? People with constipation should be aware that yam is rich in starch, so it is not recommended for those who frequently experience chest and abdominal distension, dry stool, or constipation. It is better to wait until these symptoms are relieved before eating yam. Additionally, patients with prostate cancer and breast cancer should avoid eating yam as it contains diosgenin, which can synthesize hormones such as testosterone and estrogen in the human body.
