Promote digestion and gut health

Purple yams may benefit your digestive health. They are high in complex carbohydrates and a rich source of resistant starch, a form of carb that is difficult to digest. In one test-tube investigation, resistant starch from purple yams enhanced the amount of Bifidobacteria, a kind of good gut bacteria, in a large intestinal environment. These bacteria are essential for gut health because they help in the digestion of complex carbohydrates and fiber.

They may even help lower your chance of developing certain disorders including colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). They also generate beneficial fatty acids and B vitamins. Furthermore, one study in rats discovered that purple yams exhibited anti-inflammatory properties and reduced colitis symptoms. More study is needed to determine whether consuming entire purple yams has anti-inflammatory benefits in people with colitis.