Cocoyam or Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is a starchy edible tuber and bears broad greenish leaves. It is grown in several places around the world. We usually consume the roots tubers or its leaves, locally called kontomire. Both the root and leaves have many health benefits for the body because they are rich in nutrients.
Now let us go through what we found out as some of the amazing benefits of kontomire.
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Boost immune system
One (1) cup of cocoyam leaves contains about 145mg of Vitamin C, about 86% of our body’s daily requirement. This will help boost your immune system effectively.
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Prevention of cancer
Cocoyam leaves are rich in vitamin C which acts as an antioxidant. This fights against free radicals that cause cancer and help to prevent many diseases.
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Healthy eyes.
Cocoyam leaves are rich in vitamin A in addition to the vitamin C. The amount of vitamin A can be as high as 123% of our daily requirement.It is very good for eyes to stay healthy, maintain the visual acuity, and prevent the eyes diseases such as myopia, cataract and blindness.
Read also: Spinach : 19 Incredible benefits
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Aid digestion and prevent digestive problems.
The high dietary fibre in cocoyam leaves helps in food digestion and absorption. Cocoyam leaves can prevent digestive problems such as indigestion, constipation, and diarrhoea.
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Cholesterol level reduction
Cocoyam leaves have no cholesterol and only 1% of total fat, and so, is the best diet for reducing cholesterol. The dietary fibre and methionine contained in cocoyam leaves can reduce the cholesterol effectively. They bind and break down fat and cholesterol especially triglyceride.
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Help in weight loss
Cocoyam leaves are low in fat and high in protein. It is therefore, the best diet to reduce your fat and get your muscle mass.
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Reduce inflammation.
Cocoyam leaves contain Omega 3 which plays a role in inflammation process and can inhibit the release of inflammatory substances. It can help to treat diseases like arthritis, gastritis, or lupus disease.
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Protect the nervous system
Are you feeling the symptoms of tingling, numbness, or pain in your limb? You can eat taro leaves to reduce those symptoms. The vitamin B complex including thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin B6 in cocoyam leaves protect the nervous system. They also boost the immune system.
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Control the blood pressure
The Omega 3, an essential fatty acid, help produce hormones to control the contraction and relaxation of arteries wall. If this mechanism is going well, the blood pressure can be kept at a normal level.
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Healthy bone
Cocoyam leaves also contain calcium which is good for the formation and maintenance of healthy bone. It works with phosphorous to strengthen the bone and teeth.
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Fetal brain and nervous system development
Besides its rich nutrients content, the leaves also contain folate which is essential for the development of your fetal brain and nervous system. It is, therefore, good to consume cocoyam leaves when you are pregnant. However, be sure to cook them well before you eat.
Read also: Nutritional Facts about Cocoyam roots (taro)
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Anaemia prevention
Cocoyam leaves diet is recommended in the prevention of anaemia. This is because they contain iron mineral which helps in red blood cell formation. The vitamin C content additionally helps to absorb the iron well.
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Fetal bone and teeth development
Additionally, the manganese in cocoyam leaves helps in the fetal cartilage, bone, and teeth formation during pregnancy
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Prevention of preeclampsia in pregnancy
The consumption cocoyam leaves help to prevent preeclampsia (a pregnancy complication characterised by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, often the kidneys) during pregnancy. The magnesium mineral helps in muscle relaxation and can be used to prevent preeclampsia.
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Reduce wrinkle on the skin
Cocoyam leaves also contain the amino acid called threonine. The threonine helps in the formation of elastin and collagen which are good for the healthy skin. They prevent the skin from wrinkle and rejuvenate skin.
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Quick treatment for diarrhoea
The zinc in cocoyam leaves protects intestinal mucosa. When you get diarrhoea, the intestine wall loses its mucosa. Zinc helps to release the mucosa quickly to immediately stop the diarrhoea.
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Very good energy source
Cocoyam leaves present one of the best energy sources for the body through its essential amino acid called isoleucine. This protein regulates the blood sugar and increases the muscle strength and energy levels. This is the best diet for people who love to work out.
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Promote the bone and skin healing.
An essential amino acid called leucine is contained by cocoyam leaves. It promotes the bone and skin healing by releasing the natural painkiller called enkephalins. It does not only facilitate the bone healing but also relieve the pain as well.
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Enhance the memory and mood.
Cocoyam leaves release dopamine (a monoamine neurotransmitter found in the brain and essential for the normal functioning of the central nervous system) which acts in the brain and nervous system. Synthesized by phenylalanine, it enhances your brain memory and controls your mood.
Read also: 11 amazing benefits of Ginger
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Help to treat nicotine addiction
Cocoyam leaves contain tyrosine, a crucial amino acid in the human body. It becomes an adaptogen substance which helps to minimize the effect of nicotine, cocaine, and coffee addiction.
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Increase sperm production
Cocoyam leaves contain arginine, an amino acid which helps to increase sperm production. This makes it good for men.
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A detoxification agent
Histidine, one of the essential amino acids is also contained in cocoyam leaves. It serves as a detoxification agent that helps to remove the heavy metals from the body and protect the body from damage from radiation.
Caution!!!
You shouldn’t consume cocoyam leaves in a raw condition because it has a dangerous toxin. Please soak them first in the clean water for about 10-15 minutes. After that, cook them well to remove its toxic substance. It is usually itchy in the throat if not well cooked.
Summing up
We believe there are more benefits you might also know of. Leave it as a comment and we will be glad to add it to the list on the update.
Have also considered a combination of cocoyam leaves and turkey berries in your diet? Try it.
The immense benefits of cocoyam leaves popularly called kontomire, cannot be overemphasised considering the outlined benefits. If you can considering a backyard garden, you definitely cannot ignore cocoyam.
41 Comments. Leave new
Plx how long do l cook the leave, will luv it for juice.
Hello Bisola,
Cook the kontonmire leaves between 2-5 mins with small quantity of water or when the leaves shrinks and become soft and the fresh green colour changes to dark green.
Please I miscarried a month ago and I want to know how kontomire can help me to regain my health.Thank you.
Hello Hankwart
Sorry for what happened to you
Kontonmire has loads of iron which will be very helpful however consume a variety of the vegetables to get a balance in your nutrient intake
Can kontomire stew/soup be kept in the fredge for three days and more?
Hi Hannah
Fresh veggies are always the best but excess soup or stew can be put in freezer in smaller portions and consumed in few days
should sliced kontomire be steamed before using it to prepare stew?
Hello Hannah
Please pardon my long silence
Either ways thus steaming or directly in stews works but since you wouldn’t want to overcook y our veggies ,i add in stews straight away
Thanks for the info. Can you please send me the references u used to come up with this information. Thanks
Hi Afrane, thanks for educating us but in Ghana there are differences between Cocoyam (menkeni pa ) and Taro (kooko or Brobe). Am asking base on the answer you gave to Bright on 22 June, 2017. Please can you give me a clarification that??.Thank you.
Good one, Cynthia.
The confusion is, they are both called Taro, from several references. I first knew taro to be kooko/brobe, but further reading revealed cocoyam is also referred to as Taro. So I guess we need to be specific when we say Taro, either to mean Cocoyam or Kooko/Brobe.
In the case of my previous reply to Bright, I meant Cocoyam(menkeni pa)
Thank you.
Can I use it as a wrap and grill with food.
Toyin, cocoyam leaves can be part of the food to be wrapped but not as a wrap because it becomes soft when heat is applied and won’t be able to hold the food. You can use plantain leave ,it is a better wrap
Am pregnant and I luv kontomire stew with gari is that good for my health
Hello Sadia
Please try to eat all foods in moderation. If you do not have a reaction then you’re safe. Seek your Doctor’s advice on any adverse reactions and complications.
I need clarity, what do we consume the cocoyam leave itself or the juicy extract
Hello Eng,
Cocoyam leaves can be consumed and used in stews.They can also be juiced as well as in smoothies
This is a picture of kontomire stew. It goes well with rice, yam and plantain.
Hello Eng.
Cocoyam leaves can be consumed and used in stews.They can also be juiced as well as in smoothies
I want to know if it’s all types of Coco yam that the leaves are used. Again, can one just stop taking hbp drugs and face Coco yam leaves for hbp reduction.
Does the Coco yam leaves water had over dosage.
Thank you.
Thank you, Dr Gloria.
About substituting your HBP drugs for cocoyam leaves, we would advise you seek your physician’s advice on that. We recommend cocoyam leaves in our everyday meals to access its benefits.
Yes, there are varieties of them and they are all consumable. You just need to cook it right to prevent the reaction to the toxins that cause itches in the throat.
Also, overdosage of cocoyam leave can be avoided by taking other vegetable juices.
Please if someone have stomach ulcer he or she can chop cocoyam leave /root
Hi, I am Mrs Edith Ejike Ukah known as Eco Nature Extract..I am interested in processing natural food for the aged people because eating right makes people healthy.Thanks
Keep it up.
We’re always available to help.
Thanks a million for this wealth of information on kontomire, a local spinach. I work with women so I will contact you. God bless and keep up the good work.
Thanks Lena for your kind words.
Sure, get in touch. Will be looking forward to it.
can it cure nervous problem? is it only food you can use it to cook and obtain the healing nutrient?
Emmanuel, from my understanding, you may choose to consume it in various ways but make sure to cook it well to remove the toxins that cause itches in the throat.
On the nervous problem, I think a specialist will help.
How long should kontomire be cooked in order not to destroy the nutrients but kill the toxins.
Thsnks
Hi Chris, great to hear from you. In order not to overcook your kontomire use just a little water and cook on moderate heat for 3 - 5 mins depending on the quantity and you are good to go. In stews kontomire should be the last ingredient. You turn them in twice or thrice and the bright green turns dark green and soft when cooked
Thanks for this wonderful research. But is it only the leaves that contains those nutrients?
Thanks for reading Bright. No, it is not only the leaves. The roots also provide a very significant amount of essential nutrients. Refer to Nutritional Facts about Cocoyam roots (taro) to know more.
Wonderful presemtation .This will encourage farmers to increase production of cocoa yam . Every part of the plant appears to have both nutritional and medicinal benefits .
Exactly so. Thank you.
I am planning to use Kontomire for my green juice recipe, is it advisable? I normally use Spinach but want to replace it with Kontomire due to the scarcity of Spinach leaf.
Kwame, you surely can use it as a substitute. Just take the precaution of cleaning and cooking it well before consumption.
I meant blending it raw without boiling it.
Kwame, the leave possesses toxins that may cause itching in the throat area. Very uncomfortable. If it is so, in your case, it is better you cook it to remove the toxins.
Very good research.My doubt is surrounding your assertion that the leaves have a very dangerous toxin. I have been chewing it raw for a long time and it feels good!
Thanks Eric. The leave possesses toxins, that when not prepared well, may cause oropharyngeal irritation, swelling and sometimes airway obstruction. That might not be in your case, from your comment, but is the case generally.
Eric, they are of different species. It may be the specie with lesser toxin content that you chew raw.
Edified presentation, I so much appreciate.