What Is Ratalu?

Ratalu is also known as Ube, or Purple Yam is a root vegetable similar to sweet potato. This fruit is related to grasses and lilies.They are edible perennial vines. Ratalu is native to Indonesia, let’s explore What Is Ratalu?

However, West Africa now harvests over 95% of the world’s yam crop. It can be smoked, fried, baked, boiled, roasted, or barbecued. Many cultures utilize grated yam as a dessert.

Yam tubers can grow up to 4.9 feet long and weigh up to 70 kg. It is 3–6 inches tall. The Yam fruit’s skin is tough to peel. Heating typically softens it. The inside of this fruit might be pink, purple, yellow, or white.

Ratalu has purple flesh,  with a sweet flavor and creamy texture. This purple yam is popular in the Philippines,  where it is boiled, then mashed, and used to make desserts, like ice cream, loaves of bread, waffles, pancakes,  cakes, cheesecakes giving desserts a pretty lavender color.

Also Check Out, Yacon, Cassava, Yellow Yam, and Name

Yam (Ratalu) Nutritional Value

Yam is high in nutrients and is highly healthful. Vit. C, fibers, thiamine, manganese, B6, and potassium. Yam has a low glycemic index and 118 calories per 100 grams. Compared to other potato products, it has 54% glucose.

In some African nations, when food is scarce, Yam provides a high protein intake, ranging from 16% in West Africa to 6% in East and South Africa.

Ratalu Health Benefits

Ratalu also includes potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and heart rate by reducing hypertensive effects. Yam also helps avoid hypertension. Due to the enzymes in Yam, it lowers blood pressure and increases renal flow.

Yam improves nutrient absorption

Regular consumption of Yam juice can improve nutritional absorption. It also preserves enzymes needed by the body to build healthier cells and maintain it healthy. Drinking Yam juice is beneficial since the nutrients are easily absorbed.

Yam can boost brain power

Yam can boost the brain’s memory and learning capacity. Those that ingested Yam for 6 weeks observed a significant improvement in their cognitive capacities. This is because of the antioxidant ingredient in Yam.

Yam harmonizes metabolic tasks

The vitamins in Yam can help one’s metabolic function. Vitamin A in yam helps maintain healthy mucous membranes. Ratalu can also help with vision, bone growth, wound healing, immunity, and anti-aging.

Yam boosts RBC production

Yam contains many nutrients that help protect and increase the body’s red blood cell count. It contains copper and iron, which help blood circulation. Manganese is a co-factor for superoxide dismutase and antioxidant enzymes.

Read More Root Vegetables.

Yam (Ratalu) Effects & Allergies

If not consumed in moderation, yam has some negative effects. Breastfeeding or lactating mothers should avoid it as it may harm the infant. Wild Yam can help with estrogen imbalance in the body.

If you have estrogen-related disorders such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, or breast cancer, you should avoid Yam. People with protein S deficiency should avoid yam as it may cause blood clots. This condition is dangerous and should be avoided.

Ratalu Cultivation

Ratalu’s are commonly farmed in the wet tropics and are relatively cheap. It is planted in the wet season. Sets are planted in rows, with stakes between each row. Interplant spacing and mound size affect yield. Yam seeds are heavy and perishable.

Other Amazing Root Vegetables

1. Jicama 
2. Taro
3. Celery Roots
4. Sunchokes
5. Malanga Coco

If you enjoyed the Benefits of Ratalu and would love to see more, join me on Youtube, Instagram, Facebook & Twitter!