Cocoyam is one of the major plant Nigeria produces that we don't know anything about. I have been researching on this topic for a while to be sure I have a very good source and tested at home.
I can tell you today that Cocoyam contains starch, which makes them an excellent source of carbohydrate. It contains dietary fibre and higher protein contents than the majority of the tropical root crops. It also contains thiamine, calcium, niacin, manganese, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, magnesium, copper and riboflavin.
Consuming nutrients-packed food like cocoyam is vital for maintaining a healthy immune system, which helps our body to make use of protein, carbohydrates and other nutrients in the food we eat. Dietary fiber maintains a healthier digestive process and helps in the easy passage of stool.
BENEFITS OF COCOYAM (TARO|COLOCASIA ESCULENTA)
Culinary Purposes
Cocoyam can be consumed in different ways through roasting, cooking, frying, baking, pounding and milling etc. Cocoyams can also be processed into various food products used for industrial and culinary purposes. Africans usually blend cocoyam and use it as a thickener for baking and cooking soups such as oha soup and bitter leaf soup etc. It can also be cooked as porridge and the leaves can be used for cooking soups.
Suitable for Diabetic Patients
An interesting question that usually comes up is if a diabetic patient can eat cocoyam? The answer is YES! This is based on the following reports from great researchers that have studied the impacts of cocoyam on diabetic patients.
Ekwe et al., (2009) reported that cocoyam has minimal starch grains that are easily digestible and as such makes it an ideal source of carbohydrate for diabetic patients.
Furthermore, Eleazu et al., (2013) past work on the ameliorative potentials of cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta L.) and unripe plantain (Musa paradisiacal L.) on renal and liver growth in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats supports that diabetic patients can eat cocoyam. Their study showed that the use of cocoyam and unripe plantain flours for managing diabetes mellitus could be a breakthrough in the search for plants that could prevent the development of diabetic nephropathy.
Aids Easy Digestion
Emmanuel-Ikpeme et al., (2007) report that the starch grains of cocoyam are quite small, which suggests why they aid easy food digestion. Due to the easy digestibility factors of cocoyam, this root crop is suitable for producing infant meals as well as food for patients recovering from sicknesses. Cocoyam is gluten free thus suitable for individuals that are allergic to gluten.
Treatment of Diseases
Emmanuel-Ikpeme et al., (2007) revealed that cocoyam starch is suitable for patients with pancreatic disease, peptic ulcer patients, patients with gallbladder disease, individuals suffering from chronic liver problems and patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease.
Lastly, to buy cocoyam for your consumption, ensure the body is smooth and the head is not looking rusty, buy for the reliable source that sell straight from the farm.
Beware, there are people who are selling drugs enhance cocoyam be vigilant and choose your source rightly.
God bless you.
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