foods - yams and sweet potatoes

What you need to know

Yams: Useful in disorders of the Immune System, Nervous System and Female Reproductive System, also protective against cancer.
Sweet Potato: Useful in disorders of the Immune System, and disorders affecting the Skin, Hair and Eyes, also protective against cancer.

Disorders these are useful in treating include the Menopause, hormone-linked cancers, visual problems, skin problems,

What does this food contain?

These are actually different, and unrelated root vegetables, but they look similar and are often confused. Yams contain phyto-oestrogens which are associated with the female reproductive system, while sweet potatoes are high in carotenoids which are protective against cancer.
Both are rich in carbohydrates, contain some protein and reasonable amounts of vitamin C, but yams contain virtually no Vitamin A or E, or fibre, unlike sweet potatoes which contain all these. Both contain minerals.

Nutrients - Sweet Potato

Nutrients - Yam

Other Information

Good for energy.

Yams are very rich in carbohydrate and are used as a staple food especially in Africa. They do contain some protein and reasonable amounts of vitamin C, but virtually no Vitamin A or E, and much less fibre than sweet potatoes.

Yams however are a source of phytoestrogens and may help to protect against hormone-linked cancers such as lung or breast, as well as help women going through the menopause. Although a better source of energy than sweet potatoes, they do contain slightly less protein although this is believed to be of better nutritional quality. Ideally eat plenty of both. See also the information about Wild Yams