It’s tangy, it’s sweet, it’s delicious and it’s healthy. We are talking about jimikand! This lesser known vegetable is a winter delight and has many health benefits to offer. Also known as elephant foot yam or suran, jimikand is one such vegetable that must be a part of your winter diet and here are its some of its benefits.
Jimikand is a tropical tuber crop and is widely cultivated in India and many of the other Asian countries as well. It has a grey outer skin and is of light yellow colour from inside. Jimikand gives the appearance of an elephant’s foot and hence its name—elephant foot yam.
Jimikand can be made in many ways – jimikand curry, jimikand chips, jimikand chutney, etc. they are all great ways to include it in your diet and reap its benefits.
Here are 5 health benefits of jimikand:
1. Promotes brain health
Eating jimikand is seen to enhance brain health. “It comprises an exceptional compound known as diosgenin. It helps the growth of neurons and boosts the working of the brain,” says nutritionist Avni Kaul. Eating jimikand will keep your brain and memory sharp.
2. Reduces inflammation
Kaul says jimikand contains antioxidants useful in reducing inflammation. Chronic inflammation is linked with a higher risk of various medical conditions like diabetes, cardiac issues, and obesity. Eating anti-inflammatory foods such as jimikand is helpful in managing chronic inflammation.
3. Anti-cancer properties
Jimikand offers several antioxidants which have powerful anti-cancer properties. Kaul drew attention to an animal study, in which it was found that a yam-containing diet considerably reduced the growth of colon cancer. Such impacts were related to the antioxidants found in yams. This indicates that these tubers may have a protective action against cancer.
4. Cholesterol reducing agent
Jimikand is known to reduce bad cholesterol levels in the body. Kaul explains that jimikand has omega-3 fatty acids and helps to increase the levels of good cholesterol. Also, it reduces the levels of LDL and VLDL. This food comprises 0.2-0.4 percent of fat as well as high levels of 1.7 -5 percent of fibers. This makes jimikand a perfect food for promoting weight loss.
5. Controls gastrointestinal issues
Jimikand is known to be useful in the treatment of irregular bowel movements, particularly in cases of constipation. Jimikand is also helpful in treating diarrhea, and dysentery and controls good health across the gastrointestinal tract by supplementing probiotics.
