What are the health benefits of purple yams? | 5 Answers from Research papers (2024)

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What are the health benefits of purple yams? | 5 Answers from Research papers? ›

Purple yams also have nourishing effects such as moistening the lung, tonifying the kidneys, and tonifying the spleen. Additionally, purple yams have been found to exhibit inhibitory activity towards human catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), a key neurotransmitter involved in Parkinson's disease and depression.

Purple yam is good for several reasons. It offers a good amount of dietary fibre, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It can support digestive health, provide antioxidant protection, help regulate blood sugar levels, contribute to weight management, and promote overall well-being.

They're a great source of fiber, potassium, manganese, copper, and antioxidants. Yams are linked to various health benefits and may boost brain health, reduce inflammation, and improve blood sugar control. They're versatile, easy to prepare, and a great vegetable to include in your diet in both sweet and savory dishes.

Purple sweet potatoes are a nutritional powerhouse, containing an array of essential vitamins and minerals. They are particularly high in vitamin C, which supports a healthy immune system and collagen production. They also provide a good amount of vitamin A, which is vital for eye health and immune function.

According to a Japanese study, purple sweet potato – rich in the red pigment anthocyanin – may keep your liver healthy. Anthocyanins contribute to the colour of blueberries, cranberries, eggplant, grapes and red cabbage, and are believed to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Purple yam is a great source of potassium, carbohydrates, and vitamin C. Additionally, it provides iron and vitamin A and has very little fat content. They contain potent plant chemicals, such as anthocyanins, which reduce blood pressure and inflammation.

Purple yams also have nourishing effects such as moistening the lung, tonifying the kidneys, and tonifying the spleen.

Purple yams are rich in antioxidants, including anthocyanins and vitamin C. Antioxidants help protect your cells from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals ( 6 ). Free radical damage is linked to many chronic conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders ( 7 ).

Aids in weight loss: Purple yam is low in calories and high in fiber, which can make you feel fuller for longer and help you eat less. This can be beneficial for weight loss. Improves blood sugar control: Purple yam has a low glycemic index, which means it can help regulate blood sugar levels.

In addition to nutrients, purple sweet potatoes also contain anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are a polyphenolic compound that studies indicate may reverse or prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes risk by improving insulin resistance.

Is purple yam better than sweet potato? ›

Yam Nutrition. Although both veggies are very close in fiber, protein, vitamin C, and magnesium, sweet potatoes are the healthier option because they are lower in overall calories, lower in carbohydrates, and higher in beta carotene (vitamin A).

Because of their higher sugar levels and high vitamin A content, you can likely enjoy them in moderation about two or three times per week. Eating these vegetables too often could lead to too much vitamin A intake or increase the potential for negative effects on your blood sugar.

Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes are one of the richest natural sources of beta carotene, a plant-based compound that is converted to vitamin A in your body ( 28 ). Vitamin A is critical to a healthy immune system, and low blood levels have been linked to reduced immunity ( 29 ).

It also aids in weight loss and helps promote brain health thanks to its anthocyanins. However, some potential downsides of purple yams include headaches, allergic reactions, and medical interactions.

The Philippine purple yam is a healthier alternative to other yams because they are high in antioxidants; Vitamins A, C, and E; and with high levels in potassium. And, because it is high in fiber, ube encourages healthy digestion.

Sweet potatoes tend to have slightly fewer calories per serving than yams. They also contain a bit more vitamin C and more than triple the amount of beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A in the body.

The Healthiest Potato is the Red Potato

After taking into account the mineral density, the vitamin density, the macronutrient balance, the sugar-to-fiber ratio, the sodium-to-potassium ratio, and the phytochemical profile, red potatoes are the healthiest potato with data from the USDA Food Database.

Ube Has More Vitamins And Less Sugar

If you're interested in what nutritional benefits ube and purple sweet potatoes might offer, you might be pleased to find that they're more than just colorful and sweet additions to your baked goods and lattes.