A type of dried tuber is a 'longevity medicine' that helps nourish the kidneys and effectively control blood sugar

This root is a popular medicine in traditional medicine.

Outstanding health benefits of yam

Yam or Hoai Son is a climbing herb with smooth, slightly angular, pink stems, often growing wild in the forests of the northern mountainous provinces of our country. The part used as medicine is the root, the outside is gray-brown, the inside is white powder. After harvesting, the tubers will be washed, peeled, then sun-dried or used as medicine in Oriental medicine.

Modern medicine shows that yam contains 63.25% starch, 0.45% lipid, 6.75% protein, 2 - 2.8% mucus. In addition, this tuber also has other ingredients such as dioscin, allantoin, sterol-based saponins, choline and a series of amino acids, oxidative enzymes, vitamin C and many other trace elements, which are very good for health. Strong.

1. Control blood sugar

According to ancient documents, the yam or Hoai Son has a sweet taste, has the effect of smoothing the spleen and eliminating evil, nourishing the lungs and kidneys, renewing the thirst, smoothing the juice, and refining the wax. Often used to treat thirst (diabetes), tuberculosis, cough, spermatorrhea, frequent urination. According to a Japanese study, this herb is used to treat diabetes in one disease. Insulin treatment does not cure.

The yam has a sweet taste and neutral properties, has the effect of clearing the spleen and eliminating evil, nourishing the lungs and kidneys.

Some studies also show that this tuber helps increase the production of the hormone GLP-1 so that the pancreas produces insulin , improving and restoring pancreatic beta cell function. People with diabetes who eat tapioca tubers will reduce the hydrolysis of starch to sugar and reduce their appetite for starch, so they should control their blood sugar well after meals to avoid sudden increases in blood sugar. Thanks to that, it also helps reduce the risk of diabetes complications effectively.

2. Nourish the kidneys

Yam is also considered a food and a medicine that provides energy to the kidneys and supports kidney health. In Oriental medicine, this medicinal herb has a sweet taste, neutralizing the spleen, stomach, lung, and kidney meridians (pancreas, stomach, lungs, kidneys). Has the effect of benefiting kidney qi, nourishing the spleen, lungs and kidneys, clearing heat, and is used to 'nourish the kidneys and treat diseases such as poor kidney yang, weak yang, cloudy urination, weak spleen and weak bowels, loose bowels. .

3. Good for the digestive system

Eating yam is also one of the simple and effective ways to help protect your digestive system. Research shows that yam has the effect of inhibiting inflammatory cytokines and inhibiting COX-2, protecting the expression of Carbonic anhydrase in the duodenum. Carbonic anhydrase is an enzyme that catalyzes the reaction that produces bicarbonate in the pancreas to help neutralize gastric acid. Thanks to that, yam often appears in herbal remedies to help treat gastritis and gastric reflux.

Dried yam.

In addition, the saponin (dioscin) found in yam also helps reduce tissue damage by activating antioxidant enzymes. Another study also showed that diosgenin in yam also helps significantly increase beneficial bacteria for the intestines and digestive system, including Lactobacillus murinus and Lactobacillus reuteri.

4. Antioxidant

Yam is rich in manganese - a mineral that aids in carbohydrate metabolism and energy production as well as is an antioxidant. Besides, this tuber is also rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. From there, it helps eliminate free radicals that can damage DNA, causing heart disease and cancer.

5. Lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart attack

There is a lot of vitamin B6 in yam that helps break down homocysteine ​​- an amino acid that can damage blood vessel walls, leading to heart attacks. Therefore, consuming yam will effectively reduce the risk of developing heart diseases.

Studies also show that yam is also high in potassium, which helps control blood pressure and heart rate by counteracting the hypertensive effects of sodium. In addition, dioscorin found in yam also helps inhibit angiotensin, increasing blood perfusion in the kidneys, thereby effectively reducing blood pressure.

6. Beautify skin

Adding yam to the menu is also a way to help beautify the skin. Fenugreek contains nutrients and beta carotene, which provides antioxidant properties. These substances will help eliminate harmful free radicals and prevent skin cell damage, thereby reducing dark spots and wrinkles. In addition, vitamin C in yam has the effect of regenerating damaged skin, producing collagen and effectively making the skin smooth and elastic.