Purple yams may look weird, but they are packed with a whole lot of nutrition. The flesh of this vegetable is purple in colour and it has a texture of a potato when it is cooked. Many people like its sweet and nutty flavour. You can cook it in a variety of ways. Apart from its taste, purple yams are also a rich source of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. It is also high in vitamin C and potassium. All these ingredients are extremely beneficial for our health. 100 grams worth of this vegetable contains about 140 calories. Here are a few reasons you need to add purple yam to your diet.

Regularly consuming yams may improve cognitive function. One study found participants who took a yam extract supplement fared better in a brain function test than those who were not given it. This may because yams contain a compound that can enhance brain function and help promote neuron growth.

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Purple yams are loaded with antioxidants that can improve heart health. It is also a rich source of potassium, iron, and copper. These properties help to maintain healthy blood pressure levels and keep the blood circulating. More importantly, this vegetable may help to ensure your heart functions well.

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Consuming purple yams now and again may help you get the energy you need to get through the day. It is a rich source of carbohydrates, which helps your body to function well. You tend to feel extremely tired when your body doesn't have enough carbohydrates. It will also helps to make you more productive.

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Since purple yams happen to be starchy root vegetables, they also happen to be a great source of carbs, potassium, and vitamin C. They're also rich in antioxidants that are known to get rid of toxins from the body and even contain anthocyanins which can reduce high blood pressure and get rid of inflammation.

They're rich in complex carbs and resistant starch that aids digestion. It contains bacteria called Bifidobacteria which stimulates bowel movement and can thus help the digestive system. Moreover, it also has anti-inflammatory effects on the gut.

It happens to be one of the most versatile foods to be cooked. You can make it in the form of stews, stir-fries or even soups. In fact, in the Philippines, they're even made into a type of flour called ube which is specially used in desserts.

Purple yams are a rich source of antioxidants that help protect against free radical damage. Getting a sufficient amount of antioxidants can potentially reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, as well as neurodegenerative disorders. It also contains a high amount of vitamin C that can significantly reduce antioxidant levels by almost 35 per cent. This can help protect against oxidative cell damage. A study conducted on purple yams also found it contains two anthocyanins which can reduce the growth of some forms of cancer.

High blood pressure can significantly increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Some researchers believe purple yams may reduce blood pressure levels because they are a rich source of antioxidants. One study found purple yams contain antioxidants that are similar to medication used to lower blood pressure levels. However, more research is needed to fully understand how purple yams can help treat this health issue that is becoming a growing problem around the world.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that millions of people across the globe are affected by. Foods that are good sources of antioxidants like vitamins A and C have been found to reduce the risk of the health condition. One study found that adults developed asthma due to low levels of vitamin A. The team also found patients with asthma were only consuming about half of the recommended intake of the vitamin. Consuming purple yams regularly can help you obtain a sufficient amount of vitamin A to curb these issues.