The underated benefits of cocoyam and cocoyam leaves.

 Cocoyam and cocoyam leaves

Cocoyam is an important food crop especially in the tropics and subtropics, its cormels and leaves are eaten after cooking.

Do you just use cocoyam as soup thickener or for its health benefits?

Do you know they can be used for more than just soup thickeners? As cakes, puddings(ebiripo), side dishes, chips, etc.

Do you know cocoyam leaves are edible? And also medicinal?

Alright, stay with me.

Cocoyam leaves are known to have appreciable levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and dietary fiber, but these potential health benefits have barely been explored in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

There are numerous health benefits of cocoyam but first things first – let’s get to the superficial stuff! Do you like healthy, full, shiny hair? Eat some cocoyam leaves. One of the best nutrients for your hair is vitamin E. Great news – cocoyam leaves have a lot of vitamin E in them which helps to keep your hair from falling out while also helping it grow by improving your blood flow.

We like pretty skin too don’t we? Well, in addition to vitamin E, cocoyam leaves contain high levels of vitamin A which in combo is super for your skin. It helps keep your skin moisturized and protected from the sun. In fact, if you use cocoyam leaves or a paste on your skin, over time, it helps get rid of blemishes and smoothes out your skin.

.Boost immune system.

One (1) cup of cocoyam leaves contains about 145mg of Vitamin.

.Detoxifies.

.Prevention of cancer.

.Healthy eyes.

.Help digestion and prevent digestive problems.

.Cholesterol level reduction.

.Help in weight loss.

.Reduce inflammation.

.Protect the nervous system.

#Help to treat nicotine addiction.

Cocoyam leaves contain tyrosine. This is a crucial amino acid in the human body. It becomes an adaptogen substance which helps to minimize the effect of nicotine, cocaine, and coffee addiction.

#Increase sperm production.

Cocoyam leaves contain arginine. Arginine is an amino acid which helps to increase sperm production. This makes it good for men.

Benefits of cocoyam during pregnancy.

.Morning nausea

Morning nausea is one of the most common symptoms in women during pregnancy. An adequate amount of vitamin B6 can reduce nausea and vomiting. Cocoyam contains a good amount of vitamin B6 and can help treat morning nausea.

. Prevents low birth weight

Cocoyam contains vitamin B6 that prevents giving birth to low weight babies.

Cocoyam is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C

Cocoyam contains antioxidants such as beta-carotene and vitamin C. They help fight common diseases and prevent oxidative stress. Also protecting against cancer.

Cocoyam aids digestion

Raging hormones, uterus development, etc all can affect your digestive system. Cocoyam contains healthy starches that are easy to digest. Cocoyam also contains dietary fiber, which treats constipation.

Prevents anemia

Anemia is one of the common problem that occur amid pregnancy. Cocoyam contains minerals such as zinc, copper and iron. All play an important role in the prevention and treatment of anemia.

A good source of Vitamin A

Cocoyam gives about 166 IU of vitamin A per serving cup. You need this vitamin to ensure that the baby’s immune system remains healthy and strong. So add cocoyam into your diet and make sure your baby is healthy.

As well as developing healthy teeth and bones, you must have strong bones, especially during pregnancy. Your growing baby also needs calcium to build bones. You need a good calcium dose. It is so logical to add cocoyam to your diet as it contains 19 mg of calcium per meal.

Pre-eclampsia prevention during pregnancy.

Pre-eclampsia prevention is a very dangerous condition endangering the health and life of mother and child. It is still one of the main uses of cocoyam.

During pregnancy, women may have many complications. Preeclampsia is a type of complication caused by high blood pressure. It can cause damage to other organs. Most of the time, it hampers the kidneys. The magnesium element in cocoyam leaves may reduce the risk of developing preeclampsia.

***Boiled cocoyam therefore is of high glycaemic index and should be combined with low glycaemic index food for it to be suitable for diabetic subjects.

    Cocoyam soup recipe (bitterleaf)

                      (Ofe onugbu).      

INGREDIENTS

Cocoyam

Bitterleaf

Stock fish

Meat

Ice fish

Yellow pepper

Ogiri

Red oil

Crayfish

Water

cubes Knorr

STEPS

Cook your cocoyam to become really soft,peel off the back and pound in a mortar

.Put your stockfish, meat and fish together in a pot and add your seasoning cubes,salt,onion and cook until they are soft.

.Pound your yellow pepper, ogiri and crayfish together in a mortar.these give the soup special aroma and taste.

.Wash your bitterleaf very well until it becomes less bitter.. I prefer the long ones because I love chewing them while eating

After you have prepared all these, pour the stock in a bigger pot add more water if the stock is not enough, let it boil, then add Palm oil,

Pounded yellow pepper,

Ogiri

Crayfish and allow to boil, taste for salt, add if need be then add your pounded cocoyam in bits(this is for dissolving of the cocoyam) cover your pot and allow to boil.

After the cocoyam paste must have dissolved, add bitterleaf.

Cover it and allow to boil over again and that's it... your yummy bitterleaf soup is ready to be served.

Enjoy.

Eat healthy and stay safe.