In early spring, it's still the season for eating yams. What are the health benefits of yams for the human body? How should yams be eaten to be the most nutritious? I recommend two special ways to eat yams, which are both nutritious and delicious!
Yam Soup
Nutritional Value of Yams
Prevent Cardiovascular Diseases. Yams contain a large amount of mucin protein, vitamins, and trace elements, which can effectively prevent the deposition of blood lipids on the vessel walls, prevent cardiovascular diseases, and have the effects of lowering blood pressure and calming the mind. They are very suitable for consumption in winter.
Strengthen the Spleen and Benefit the Stomach, Aid Digestion. Yams contain substances such as amylase and polyphenol oxidase, which are beneficial to the digestive and absorption functions of the spleen and stomach. It is a medicinal and edible product that mildly tonifies the spleen and stomach. It can be eaten by those with deficient spleen-yang or deficient stomach-yin. In clinical practice, it is often used with gastrointestinal medicines to treat weak spleen and stomach, reduced appetite, fatigue, diarrhea, and other conditions. Therefore, it is a good idea to add yams when making soups or hot pot.
Benefit the Lungs and Relieve Cough. Yams contain saponins and mucilage, both of which have lubricating and moisturizing effects. Therefore, they can benefit lung qi, nourish lung yin, and treat symptoms such as lung deficiency, phlegmatic cough, and chronic cough.
Special Ways to Eat Yams
Yam Soup
Ingredients: 50g fresh yam, appropriate amount of sugar.
Method: Cut the yam into small pieces, cook in water until tender, add a little sugar, and simmer for a moment. Take once daily.
Effects: This soup has the effects of strengthening the spleen and stomach, benefiting the kidneys, and nourishing yin.
Apple and Yam Powder
Ingredients: 50g dried apple, 30g yam.
Method: Grind the above ingredients into a powder. Take 15g each time, add an appropriate amount of sugar, and take with warm water.
Effects: Apples and yams can whet the appetite, aid digestion, treat diarrhea, and also replenish qi and beautify the skin.
Tips for Cooking Yams
Peeling: It is best to peel yams before eating to avoid an abnormal, itchy or prickly texture. Saponin in the yam skin or plant alkali in the mucus can cause an allergic reaction and itching in some people. Direct contact should be avoided when handling yams. After peeling, wash your hands thoroughly immediately; otherwise, you will feel itchy wherever you touch.
How to Prevent Yams from Being Slippery: After peeling, the mucus on the surface of the yam makes it very slippery, making it difficult to hold or place steadily on a cutting board to cut into desired shapes. At this time, you can apply some salt and vinegar to your hands. This will prevent your hands from slipping and will not affect the normal taste of the yam.
Soaking: After slicing yams, they should be immediately soaked in salt water to prevent oxidation and blackening.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, yams have a mild medicinal nature and can nourish the lungs, spleen, and kidneys, with a very good effect of nourishing yin. Yams can be prepared in various ways, such as in soups, steamed, or stir-fried. There are also special ways to eat yams that have even more amazing nourishing effects.
Porridge of eggs