BusinessHABCocoyam Business : Cocoyam is a root food that boast of many benefits for a healthy living.
It has properties that prevent, fight and cure many diseases.
Below are theReasons to Start Cocoyam Business in Nigeria:
Cocoyam used to be an ordinary stable in Nigerian homes in the past.
Then we went to school, and became ‘educated.’
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The result is that we lost interest in our local food and developed a taste for processed foods.
When you buy, and eat such processed food, you are regarded as ‘educated’ and ‘high class.’
If you eat cocoyam or tell people that you love eating cocoyam, be ready to be labelled as a ‘bushman’, ‘ajepako’, ‘village man or woman’ and all sorts of names.
As a result, farmers hardly cultivate cocoyam, and now it has become a scarce food, even in the village.
Cocoyam possesses high nutritional values when compared with others like cassava and yam, with substantial vitamins, minerals and proteins contents.
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For me, the leaves of cocoyam are the most useful part of the plant.
The fact that cocoyam leaves are edible often comes as a surprise for those who have only known this plant as a tuber.
The leaves are not just good food product.
But they are also able to provide you with plenty of useful vitamins and minerals.
Like any leafy green vegetables, cocoyam leaves are as healthy and helpful for your body.
Especially for those who want to lose fat and improve their health condition.
Please be warned: cocoyam leaves cannot be eaten raw.
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They contain a toxin that irritates the throat if not properly cooked.
This is why the leaves should be soaked in cold water for about 10 to 15 minutes before they are cooked.
Cocoyam has more calories than potatoes. 100 g provides 112 calories.
Its calories mainly come from complex carbohydrates known as amylose and amylopectin.
However, the roots are very low in fats and protein than cereals and pulses.
Their protein levels can be comparable to that of other tropical food sources like yam, cassava, potato, banana, etc.
Cocoyam, however, is free from gluten.
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They feature high-quality Phytonutrition profile comprising of dietary fibre.
And antioxidants in addition to moderate proportions of minerals, and vitamins.
They are one of the best sources of dietary fibres.
Together with slow digesting complex carbohydrates.
Moderate amounts of fibre in the food help gradual rise in blood sugar levels.
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Cocoyam Business:
1. High contents of vitamins
Cocoyam contains high levels of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and various other phenolic antioxidants.
Which help to boost the immune system and help eliminate dangerous free radicals from our system.
Free radicals are the dangerous by-products of cellular metabolism that may result in healthy cells mutating and turn into cancerous cells.
By eliminating these free radicals, our general health is improved. Cryptoxanthin.
Which is found in cocoyam, is said to protect against both lung and oral cancers.
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Cocoyam Business:
2. Overcoming rheumatoid arthritis
Cocoyam is very beneficial for overcoming rheumatoid arthritis because low levels of Vitamin B6 are related to increased signs of rheumatoid arthritis.
Several researchers conclude that people with rheumatoid arthritis comparatively need more Vitamin B6 than healthy people.
Because they experience constant muscle aches and joint pain due to chronic inflammation.
Vitamin B6 benefits include curbing pain and can be useful in controlling aches in the muscles and joints due to arthritis.
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Cocoyam Business:
3. High content of potassium
Cocoyam consists of a considerable amount of potassium which is considered an essential mineral to remain healthy and efficient.
Potassium not only enables good fluid transfers between membranes and tissues throughout the body.
But also helps to relieve stress and pressure on blood vessels and arteries.
By relaxing the veins and blood vessels.
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Blood pressure can be reduced, and stress on the overall cardiovascular system is reduced.
Cocoyam plays an essential role in boosting the immune system.
Vitamin C is found in cocoyam roots.
Which helps the immune system to create white blood cells that help to defend the body from foreign pathogens and agents.
Additionally, Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant.
Which moderately prevents the development of conditions such as heart disease and cancer.
Cocoyam Business:
4. Decreased muscle cramping and improved muscle strength
Consuming high-potassium foods is directly related to decreased muscle cramping and improved muscle strength.
Muscle cramps are one of the common side effects of low potassium levels.
This happens when an athlete becomes dehydrated.
And don’t consume enough potassium-rich foods before and after exercise.
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5. Food digestion
Cocoyam also plays a vital role in digestion because it consists of a high level of dietary fibre.
Fiber is very important for supporting our gastrointestinal health.
Fiber improves bowel movements, thus helping food move through the digestive tract and facilitating improved digestion.
Apart from that, it can help to prevent certain conditions like excess gas, cramping, bloating, constipation, and even diarrhea.
A healthy, regulated gastrointestinal system can significantly boost overall health and reduce the chances of various types of cancer.
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Cocoyam Business:
6. It contains thiamine.
Cocoyam consists of Vitamin B1.
Which is also known as thiamine.
And is a crucial vitamin for increasing focus, energy, fighting chronic stress?
And for preventing memory loss.
Several pieces of research have linked thiamine deficiency to difficulty in learning and retaining information.
Cocoyam Business:
7. It improves vision
As we have previously mentioned, cocoyam is loaded with several antioxidants.
Like beta-carotene and cryptoxanthin.
These antioxidants can also help to improve vision as well.
By preventing the free radicals from attacking ocular cells and causing macular degeneration or cataracts.
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Cocoyam Business:
8. It helps in maintaining teeth and gum health
Phosphorus, which is essential for both bone health as well as maintaining teeth and gum health, is present in cocoyam.
Calcium, Vitamin D, and phosphorus all play a crucial role in the formation and maintenance of dental hygiene.
By supporting tooth enamel, jaw-bone mineral density, and holding the teeth in place, too.
Therefore, these minerals and vitamins can also help heal tooth decay.
Cocoyam Business:
9. It can also help lower the chances of developing diabetes
Apart from proper bowel movement dietary fibre can also help lower the chances of developing diabetes.
Because it helps to regulate the release of insulin and glucose in the body.
If you consume a sufficient amount of Cocoyam in your regular diet.
Then you can manage your glycaemic levels and lower your chances of developing diabetes.
If you have diabetes, then fibre-rich foods like cocoyam can help prevent the spikes and plunges in blood sugar that can be so dangerous.
Cocoyam Business:
10.It prevent anaemia
The presence of iron and copper in cocoyam make it an important food to prevent anaemia and boost circulation throughout the body.
Both iron and copper are essential for the production of red blood cells that carry the all-important oxygen to our body’s systems and cells.
By decreasing the chances of anaemia (iron deficiency).
And boost the flow of blood through the body, you can speed overall metabolism, the growth of new cells, and general oxygenation of the body that is always good to keep the organs and systems functioning properly.
Cocoyam Business:
11. CANCER PREVENTION
Taro root plays an important part in the antioxidant activity in our bodies.
High level of vitamin A, vitamin C, and various other phenolic antioxidants found in taro root help to boost immune system and help eliminate dangerous free radicals from our system.
Free radicals are actually the dangerous byproducts of cellular metabolism that may result in healthy cells to mutate and turn into cancerous cells.
By eliminating these free radicals, our general health is almost guaranteed.
Cryptoxanthin, which is found in taro root, is directly related to a lowered chance of developing both lung and oral cancers.
Cocoyam Business:
12.REDUCE SYMPTOMS OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Cocoyam is extremely beneficial for overcoming rheumatoid arthritis because low levels of vitamin B6 are related to increased signs of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), like more severe pains.
Several researchers conclude that people with RA require comparatively more vitamin B6 than healthy people because they experience constant muscle aches and joint pain, owing to chronic inflammation.
Vitamin B6 benefits include curbing pain and it can be useful in supplement form for controlling aches in the muscles and joints owing to arthritis.
Cocoyam Business:
13.BLOOD PRESSURE AND HEART HEALTH
Cocoyam consists of considerable amount of potassium, which is considered essential minerals that are essentially needed to remain healthy and efficient.
Potassium not only enables healthy fluid transfers between membranes and tissues throughout the body.
But also helps to relieve stress and pressure on blood vessels and arteries.
By relaxing the veins and blood vessels, blood pressure can be reduced and stress on the overall cardiovascular system is reduced.
Potassium is related to increased cognitive function because neural connections can be boosted when blood pressure is reduced and fluid transfer between neural membranes is optimised!
Cocoyam Business:
14.IMMUNE SYSTEM HEALTH
Cocoyam plays an important role in the immune system.
Vitamin C is found in taro roots, which helps to encourage immune system to create more white blood cells.
Which help to defend the body from foreign pathogens and agents.
Additionally vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, which moderately prevents the development of conditions such as heart disease and cancer.
Cocoyam Business:
15.CRAMPS
Consuming high potassium foods is directly related with decreased muscle cramping and improved muscle strength.
Cocoyam consists of considerable amount of potassium 615 mg, which is 13.09% of the daily recommended value.
Muscle cramps are one of the common side effects of low potassium levels.
This happens when athlete becomes dehydrated and isn’t consuming enough potassium-rich foods before and after exercise.
Cocoyam Business:
16.DIGESTIVE HEALTH
Cocoyam plays an important role in digestion because it consists of high level of dietary fiber (a single serving contains 11.32% of the daily requirement of dietary fiber)
Fiber is very important for supporting our gastrointestinal health. Fiber helps to add bulk to our bowel movements, thus helping food move through the digestive tract and facilitating improved digestion. Apart from that, it can help to prevent certain conditions like excess gas, cramping, bloating, constipation and even diarrhea.
A healthy, regulated gastrointestinal system can significantly boost your overall health and reduce your chances of various types of cancer.
Cocoyam Business:
17.ENHANCES LEARNING
Cocoyam consists of Vitamin B1 which is also known as thiamine is a crucial vitamin for increasing focus, energy, fighting chronic stress, and perhaps preventing memory loss. Several researches have linked thiamine deficiency to problems of learning and retaining information.
Cocoyam consists of 0.099 mg of vitamin b1 which is 8.25% of the daily recommended value.
Cocoyam Business:
18.BOOSTS VISION
As we have previously mentioned, Cocoyam is loaded with several antioxidants, like beta-carotene and cryptoxanthin. These antioxidants can also help to improve vision as well, by preventing the free radicals from attacking ocular cells and causing macular degeneration or cataracts!
Cocoyam Business:
19.HELPS MAINTAIN DENTAL HEALTH
Cocoyam consists of phosphorus,, which is essential for both bone health as well as maintaining teeth and gum health. Calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus, they all play an important role in the formation and maintenance of dental health by supporting tooth enamel, jaw-bone mineral density and holding the teeth in place, therefore, these minerals and vitamins can also help heal tooth decay.
Cocoyam Business:
20.DIABETES
Apart from proper bowel movement dietary fiber can also help lower the chances of developing diabetes because it helps to regulate the release of insulin and glucose in the body. If you consume sufficient amount of Cocoyam in your regular diet then you can manage your glycemic levels and lower your chances of developing diabetes.
If you have diabetes, then fiber-rich foods like taro root can help prevent the spikes and plunges in blood sugar that can be so hazardous.
Cocoyam Business:
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21.THICKENS HAIR
Cocoyam consists of significant amount of vitamin E which is a powerful antioxidant that helps to decrease environmental damage to your hair. It also promotes circulation to the scalp. Vitamin E oil can retain the natural moisture in your skin, which helps your scalp from becoming dry and flakey. This oil will also make your hair look healthier and fresher. You can use a few drops of vitamin E oil on your hair, especially if it is looking dry and dull.
Cocoyam Business:
22.CIRCULATION STIMULATION
Cocoyam consists of several mineral contents. But the presence of iron and copper in Cocoyam make it an important food to prevent anemia and boost circulation throughout the body. Both iron and copper are essential for the production of red blood cells that carry the all-important oxygen to our body’s systems and cells. By decreasing the chances of anemia (iron deficiency) and boost the flow of blood through the body, you can speed overall metabolism, growth of new cells, and general oxygenation of the body that is always a good idea to keep organs and systems functioning at their optimal levels!
Cocoyam Business:
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23.PREVENT BONE LOSS
Copper present in taro roots plays an important role in slowing down bone loss and osteoporosis in older women when taken in combination with other important minerals like zinc, calcium and manganese.
Copper has bone-strengthening properties and its collagen-forming qualities encourage strong bones and connective tissues. Cocoyam consists of 0.179 mg of copper, which is 19.89% of the daily recommended value.
One caution is for this food and that is “do not eat the raw cocoyam leaves”.
Cocoyam Business:
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24.CIRCULATION STIMULATION
Cocoyam consists of several mineral contents. But the presence of iron and copper in Cocoyam make it an important food to prevent anemia and boost circulation throughout the body. Both iron and copper are essential for the production of red blood cells that carry the all-important oxygen to our body’s systems and cells. By decreasing the chances of anemia (iron deficiency) and boost the flow of blood through the body, you can speed overall metabolism, growth of new cells, and general oxygenation of the body that is always a good idea to keep organs and systems functioning at their optimal levels.
Cocoyam Business:
Conclusion:
Eating cocoyam can lead to kidney stones and gout as well as other health complications if it is not prepared properly by boiling for the recommended amount of time.
It can also be steeped in water overnight before cooking to further reduce the amount of oxalates.
To absolutely minimize risk, milk or other calcium rich foods should be eaten with cocoyam in order to block oxalate absorption. However, cocoyam is a staple food for many people around the world and should not be considered a high risk food after it is cooked.
Now I believe we all know the health benefits of eating Cocoyam or adding it to our daily diet.
This is where we would be stopping this week.
As we say good bye, remember it’s still early in the year so why not make plans to stay healthy through the year, as you improve on your lifestyle healthy living and eating.
Engage in exercises and don’t forget, discipline is the watch-word for a healthy life.
Stay away from junk food , practice lifestyle changes, eat healthy, take lots of fruits, fibre, nuts and water while also ensuring that you sleep well.
Life is Beautiful, so live well, love life and enjoy it.
Till I come your way again next week…
I remain yours in good health, BusinessHAB.com
BusinessHAB