People with weak spleen and stomach. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that yam is neutral in nature and sweet in taste, and has the effects of strengthening the spleen and nourishing the stomach to aid digestion. It is a medicinal and edible product that gently tonifies the spleen and stomach. Therefore, people with weak spleen and stomach who suffer from poor appetite, fatigue, and diarrhea can eat more yam. From a modern scientific perspective, yam contains substances such as amylase and polyphenol oxidase, which can promote digestion and improve gastrointestinal function. Yams can be prepared in various ways: they can be simmered with rice, millet, red dates, etc. to make a multigrain porridge or soft rice; they can be ground into a fine powder and mixed with rice flour, similar to the way water chestnut powder is eaten; or they can be steamed and served with blueberries as a dessert. It should be noted that yam is not suitable for people with dry stools or gastrointestinal stagnation.
People with diabetes. The mannose in yam can regulate sugar metabolism and slow down the absorption of blood sugar, making it a good dietary choice for diabetic patients. It is worth noting that yam has a higher starch content than most vegetables, so after eating it, the amount of staple food should be appropriately reduced to maintain stable blood sugar levels.
People with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Yam is rich in various vitamins and minerals, which are beneficial for heart and brain health. The active ingredients in the fresh tuber, such as glycoproteins and mannose, can effectively prevent lipids from depositing on the blood vessel walls, thus helping to prevent arteriosclerosis.
People who want to lose weight. Yam has a very low fat content and is rich in soluble dietary fiber. When it absorbs water, its volume expands, which can easily increase satiety, making it very helpful for controlling appetite and losing weight.
People with lung deficiency and cough. The active substances in yam, such as saponins and mucilage, have the effect of benefiting lung qi and nourishing lung yin. Therefore, yam can be used as an auxiliary treatment for coughs due to lung deficiency.