Description

Elephant Foot Yam is a tropical tuber crop that belongs to the family Araceca in the genus Amorphophallus. It is a single-stalked, flowering plant with an edible bulb or corm. The bulb is almost 30 cms wide and 20 cms tall. It can be tapered, oblong or round in shape with dark-brown to black colored, thick, bark-like skin. Its inside reveals starchy, potato-like, beige colored flesh. It is primarily grown in Southeast Asia, Africa, South Asia, and the tropical Pacific islands. It is considered as one of the most profitable tuber crops cultivated in India because of its shade tolerance, high productivity, steady demand and easiness in cultivation. It has two varieties in India namely, Sree Padma and Gagendra. The tubers along with their tender stems and leaves are used as a vegetable. It is available year around with a peak season in the late fall. It is a nutritionally dense vegetable that can be eaten baked, fried, boiled or pickled.

Health benefits

• Lowers Cholesterol levels: Elephant Foot Yam contains Omega-3 fatty acids that helps to increase good cholesterol levels and reduce bad cholesterol levels in the body.⁽¹⁾
• Prevents heart attacks: It acts as an anticoagulant that helps in relieving the clots formed in veins and arteries. It is helpful in reducing the risks of heart attacks.⁽¹⁾
• Prevents Cancer: It contains a compound called Diosgenin that helps in preventing the formation of cancerous cells in the body.⁽¹⁾
• Estrogen Balance: Elephant Foot Yam helps to raise estrogen levels in women to maintain hormonal levels and helps to reduce the symptoms of the premenstrual syndrome like abdominal pain and cramps.⁽¹⁾
• Improves brain functioning: Omega-3 fatty acids and other essential minerals in it like selenium, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc helps in improving brain functioning.⁽¹⁾
• Control diabetes: Elephant Foot Yam is beneficial for diabetic patients as it has a low glycemic index, which indicates that it raises blood sugar slowly.⁽¹⁾
• Slow down ageing: It contains powerful antioxidants and Vitamin C that helps to slow down ageing process by making skin wrinkle-free and blemish-free.⁽¹⁾

Selection Guide

Look for firm Elephant Foot Yam, heavy for its size with no bruises, soft spots or cracks on the skin. Avoid Elephant Foot Yam stored in the refrigerated section as cold temperature may affect its taste.