Cocoyam

What is cocoyam?
Cocoyam is a herbaceous plant belonging to the family Araceae , it is a tropical plant grown primarily for its edible corms, the root vegetables most commonly known as taro. Cocoyam ranks third in importance, after cassava and yam, among the root and tuber crops cultivated and consumed in sub- Saharan Africa particularly in Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon.

Nutritive value of cocoyam
Cocoyam contains a substantial amount of starch, which makes them an excellent source of carbohydrate, 100g of cocoyam supplies 112 calories of energy. It contains dietary fibre and high protein content than majority of the root crops. Vitamins and minerals such as thiamine, niacin, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, riboflavin, calcium, manganese, magnesium, copper are embedded in cocoyam.

However, cocoyam contains a very low quantity of fat and protein than in other cereals and legumes. Cocoyams are free from gluten, they feature high quality phyto nutrition profile such as dietary fibre and antioxidants.

Cocoyam and it’s nutritional and health benefits

Cocoyam is a root food that boast of many nutritional and medicinal properties that prevent, fight and cure many diseases, in other to ensure a healthy living. Some of the benefits are as follows;
-Cocoyam plays an important role in boosting immune system and improving good vision. Vitamin A and vitamin C embedded in the root helps to boost immunity, improve vision and fight against infection.
-Cocoyam facilitates overall improved digestion because it consists of high level of dietary fibre. Fibre helps to add bulk to our bowel movements, thus helping food move through the gastro intestinal tract.
-Cocoyam helps to improve blood pressure and heart. It consists of potassium, magnesium and calcium , which helps to relieve stress and pressure on blood vessels.

-Apart from bowel movement, dietary fibre can also help lower the chances of developing diabetes because it regulates the release of insulin and glucose in the body. If you consume an adequate amount of cocoyam in your diet, you can manage your glycemic index and lower your chances of developing diabetes.
-Cocoyam is extremely beneficial for over coming rheumatoid arthritis, muscle cramp and joint pains because of it’s high content of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). Vitamin B6 helps in curbing pain.
-Cocoyam helps in improving dental health, as it contains an adequate amount of calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus, which help in the formation and maintenance of dental health and at the same time, heal tooth decay.

Side Effect of Cocoyam
If cocoyam is not properly prepared by boiling for the recommended amount of time, eating cocoyam can lead to kidney stones, gout and other health complications due to the oxalate content. In other to avoid this, boil your cocoyam until it is well cooked before eating.

Variety Menu

Cocoyam can be prepared in different varieties which I bet you would enjoy. It can be boiled and eaten with pepper sauce, it can be eaten as pounded cocoyam, cocoyam pottage or peeled, dried and milled to flour.

Cocoyam is also used mainly as thickners in some Nigerian soup recipes which include;
Bitterleaf soup: known as Ofe Onugbu, a traditional soup native to the eastern part of Nigeria.
Ora (Oha) soup: its an eastern soup too, the only difference between ora and bitterleaf soup is the vegetable used.

Cocoyam is eaten as Ebiripo amongst the ijebu people, a type of meal eaten as swallow and made like moimoi.

They also grate it and make it into ojojo (a local healthy snack).

Now i believe we all know the nutritional benefit and health mportance of adding cocoyam to our daily diet. Thanks for staying with our story till the 24th day, keep doing you and cheers to a healthy and hearty you!!!

Written by: Ariyibi Tomisin

Images📸: google images