Elephant foot yams is also known as Amorphophallus Paeoniifolius and Suran in Hindi. It grows in Asia and Africa and it can weigh as much as 30 lbs. This is not known type of vegetable in many countries but it has many health benefits. It has a flesh which looks like sweet potatoes and also it has wonderful flavor. It has large tuber which resembles an elephant foot. It is rich in protein which makes it great as a staple food. Also it has large amounts of carbs which are very important for the vital energy and sustenance such as potatoes. This vegetable has many compounds such as stignasterol, lupeol, betulinic acid, xylose, galactose, amylase and betasitosterol and all of them are healing compounds. It has zinc which can boost up your immune system. Phosphorus can ensure you that you will have strong bones. Potassium is useful for water regulation. Women in PMS can also consume elephant foot yam because it has B6 which is important in this part of the women’s life. You can order elephant foot yam online or you can ask at your local health food store where you can buy it. This vegetable can be used in curies. It can be made into fried, baked and stir fries, stews, soups and chips and many other culinary usages which you can think about that you are making with sweet potatoes. [1]
Health benefits of elephant foot yams
Omega – 3 fatty acids: This vegetable has high amounts of Omega – 3 fatty acids which are important for preventing cancer and cardiovascular diseases [2].
Low glycemic index: This vegetable has a very low glycemic index which is making them great for weight loss and diabetics.
Relaxing agent: It is relaxing because it has an effect similar to diazepam on the nervous system which is making it a great natural treatment for stress.
Antibacterial property: This vegetable is also rich in antibacterial compounds [1].
Pain killer: This natural cure has a mild pain killing agent which is making it a great natural treatment for arthritis and other painful diseases.
Liver cleansing: This natural cure is also a good liver cleansing agent because it has fiber which can help to clean your liver of toxins.
Antioxidant property: This natural cure is a powerful antioxidant which can help to slow the aging process and also it can prevent cardiovascular diseases, cancer and stroke [3].
Blood pressure: When people consume elephant foot yam, then it can lower their blood pressure.
elephant foot yams health benefits
Anti-inflammatory property: This fruit is a good anti – inflammatory agent which can help with the inflammation of the joints such as arthritis [2].
Anticoagulant property: This vegetable has powerful anticoagulant compounds which can help to prevent heart attacks.
Prostate: When this vegetable is boiled with tamarind and buttermilk, then this is one of the best natural cures for enlarged prostate.
Estrogen: Women, who eat this vegetable, have said that they have good hormonal balance. [2]
Cooling: When you eat elephant foot yam, then it can help you to cool your body. This is a great vegetable for hot climates.
Weight loss: Elephant foot yam is full of fiber which can make you to feel full and it can help you to lose weight.
Cancer: This vegetable has a lot of great fiber which created wonderful home for probiotic bacteria and also it helps to boost your immune system and it can prevent colon cancer. Also it has diosgenin which is element that is being researched for the treatment and prevention of cancer. [3]
Muscle spasms: When you eat this vegetable, then it can help you to prevent muscle spasms.
Abdominal pain: When you eat elephant foot yam, then it can help you with gas, abdominal pain and diarrhea. [4]
Lowers blood sugar: If you eat elephant foot yam for 90 days, then it can lower the blood sugar levels and also it lowers the amount of insulin of insulin or blood sugar lowering drugs which a person needs. [5]
Asthma: In the Ayurvedic Medicine, this fruit was used for the treatment of bronchitis and asthma.
Cholesterol: This fruit can lower the bad cholesterol or LDL cholesterol and also it can help to prevent cancer, strokes and cardiovascular disease.
References:
[1] Vora JD, Sarman A, Madhrani N. Biochemical, organoleptic and antimicrobial assessment of elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius). Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology. 2015;9(5):7-10.
[2] Anbuselvi S, Kumar J. Production of ethanol from elephant yam and its optimization. Der Pharmacia Lettre. 2016;8(8):55-57.
[3] Angayarkanni J, Ramkumar KM, Priyadharshini U, Ravendran P. Antioxidant potential of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius in relation to their phenolic content. Journal of Pharmaceutical Biology. 2010;48(6):659-665.
[4] Dey YN, Mahor S, Kumar D, et al. Gastrokinetic activity of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius tuber in rats. Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology. 2016;5(1):36-42.
[5] Arva HR, Bhaskar JJ, Salimath PV, Mallikarjuna AS. Anti-diabetic effect of elephant-foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson) in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. International Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2013;7(1).
