After the recent Olympic performance it would not take a genius to figure out what those series of numbers represent. They send a very loud message that once again Jamaica is ‘large and in charge’. The saying ‘we run tings… tings nuh run we’ takes on added meaning after the glorious exploits of both our female and male athletes. We will need time to come down from the high of watching the three women blazing the track to come first second and second. I wondered what kind of new math that is. I always thought it was first, second and third. Or how does one comprehend Usain Bolt’s breaking of Michael Johnson’s 200m record (even Michael Johnson was astonished). Also, there was no more beautiful a sight than ‘Afaster’ Powell on the anchor leg of the 4x100.
All these exploits have opened up much debate about national pride and patriotism and the lessons to be learned from the awesome performances. In the midst of this what started out as a joke, may become a source of serious debate. Did the “lowly and sometimes maligned” Yam, contribute to our athletes’ success?
The infamous email joke stated that the message on the package said ‘Gi dis to Asafa, Usain and Veronica so dem can win ah di Olympics’. As soon as the Chinese officials saw it, they confiscated the package. On opening it what do you think they found? Yes, you guessed it...Yam!
YA’ M.AN
There are approximately 200 different varieties of yams with flesh colors varying from white to ivory to yellow to purple while their thick skin comes in white, pink or brownish-black. Although it is uncertain from which country yams originated, yams are one of the oldest food plants known. They have been cultivated for thousands of years in Africa and Asia. Well known for its high fibre content, which acts as a natural laxative, yams are now being increasingly recognized for their other health benefits.
YAMS AND ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE
Carbohydrate food is the most efficient fuel for energy production and can also be stored as glycogen in muscle and liver, functioning as a readily available energy source for prolonged, strenuous exercise. For these reasons, carbohydrates may be the most important nutrient for sports performance. Depending on training intensity and duration, athletes require up to 4.5 grams of carbohydrates per day per pound of body weight or 60 to 70 percent of total dietary calories from carbohydrates, whichever is greater. Yams’ complex carbohydrates and fiber deliver the goods gradually, slowing the rate at which their sugars are released and absorbed into the bloodstream. Because they’re rich in fiber, yams fill you up without filling out your hips and waistline. Yams are also a good source of manganese, a trace mineral that helps with carbohydrate metabolism and is a cofactor in a number of enzymes important in energy production and antioxidant defenses. A good supply of antioxidants from food or drinks is very important for any exercise regime, the more intense the workout, the more antioxidants will be consumed. Yams are supercharged with Vitamins A, C and E, zinc, and selenium which are potent antioxidants.
CARDIO-HEALTH
Yams are a good source of both potassium and vitamin B6, two nutrients that your body need every day. Vitamin B6 helps your body break down a substance called homocysteine, which can cause damage to blood vessel walls. High intakes of vitamin B6 have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Potassium is a mineral that is important in the control of blood pressure. In the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) study, one study group ate servings of fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy food in place of snacks and sweets. This approach offered more potassium, magnesium and calcium. After eight weeks, this group lowered their blood pressure by an average of 5.5 points (systolic) over 3.0 points (diastolic). Yams also contain a storage protein called Dioscorin. Preliminary research suggests that Dioscorin can help your body to achieve increased kidney blood flow thereby reducing blood pressure.
WOMEN’S HEALTH
Most dietary studies have found that women receiving high amounts of nutrients from fruits and vegetables have less risk of cervical dysplasia, which can lead to cervical cancer. Protective effects may be especially strong from diets high in dark yellow and orange vegetables including yams. There are also some products in the marketplace that promote wild yam or wild yam extracts as substances that can help provide a natural alternative to hormonal replacement in women who have reached the age of menopause. Some of these products are provided in the form of creams that can be topically applied. It is thought that this effect may be due to a substance called Diosgenin, which has progesterone like activity and may help to alleviate menopausal symptoms and lower the risk of osteoporosis. Vitamin B6 also found in yams has also been used to treat menopausal symptoms and is also quite popular in supplements used in the treatment of PMS.
So, whether you boil it, roast it, bake it, slice it, mash it, or drink it…the debate around yams may result in us all improving on our nutrition. Nuh linga!
Dr. C. Watson, MRCOG FACOG MBA DFFP, is Medical Director and Director of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at MoBay Hope Medical Centre, which is located at the Half Moon Shopping Village, Rose Hall, Montego Bay. Dr. Watson also consults at the Montego Bay Hospital, Mt. Salem.
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