Las variedades de ñame (Dioscorea) se cuentan por centenas, por lo que no es fácil determinar el origen exacto de esta planta de la familia de las dioscoreáceas. El ñame blanco es una de las especies que más se cultivan. Mientras que el ñame silvestre o salvaje es el más buscado y el que parece reunir un mayor número de propiedades medicinales.

Este tubérculo se emplea en fitoterapia y también como alimento. Por sus propiedades nutritivas y suave sabor, el ñame constituye un ingrediente indispensable en la cocina de numerosos países caribeños, asiáticos y africanos. Se suele consumir hervido, asado, en puré, sopas y potajes, aunque también sirve para elaborar postres.

1. Depurativo y diurético

El ñame posee un efecto depurativo y diurético beneficioso en caso de reuma, artritis, edema o gota. Es rico en fibra dietética y potasio, mineral que, junto al sodio, interviene en la regulación del balance hídrico. Así pues, el ñame depura nuestro organismo y favorece la eliminación de los líquidos acumulados.

2. Un aliado para el sistema inmune

No solo es fuente de vitamina C, sino que algunas variedades, en concreto las púrpuras o moradas, contienen antocianinas. Ambos componentes cuentan con propiedades antioxidantes, y ayudan fortalecer o reforzar nuestro sistema inmunológico de forma natural.

El consumo de este tubérculo contribuye a aumentar las defensas del organismo, protegiéndolo así frente a los ataques externos. Como flavonoides que son, las antocianinas presentes en el ñame podrían ejercer un papel protector para prevenir y tratar las enfermedades cardiovasculares.

3. Recomendado para deportistas

Esta raíz comestible está especialmente indicada en dietas energéticas, como las de deportistas y niños. Por su elevado contenido en carbohidratos complejos, el ñame representa una importante fuente de energía para las personas que practican deporte y los más pequeños.

Su composición química es similar a la de patata, el boniato o la yuca. No destaca por su aporte de proteínas ni de grasas y tiene un valor calórico moderado: 100 gramos de ñame proporcionan aproximadamente 130 calorías.

4. Aumenta la fertilidad

Otra de las cualidades que se le atribuyen a esta raíz comestible es la de aumentar la fertilidad de las mujeres, lo cual se debe a su alta concentración de fitoestrógenos. Éstas son sustancias de origen vegetal con propiedades similares a las de los estrógenos.

No obstante, es necesario realizar más pruebas para determinar su efectividad en estos casos. Hasta el momento no hay evidencia suficiente que avale su uso.

5. Bueno contra la menopausia

En los países donde se cultiva el ñame silvestre y otras variedades de ñame muchas mujeres se aplican el extracto del tubérculo por vía tópica. Al usarlo como si de una crema se tratara, intentan reducir los síntomas de la menopausia.

Este tratamiento tópico parece estar libre de efectos secundarios a corto plazo. Pero, tal y como sugieren las investigaciones, su eficacia y seguridad para mitigar los síntomas de la menopausia serían limitados. Se requieren estudios más profundos para poder afirmar que el ñame es un gran aliado a la hora de combatir la menopausia.

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