NUTRITIONAL AND MEDICINAL STATUS OF DIOSCOREA SPECIES

Dioscorea species is widely distributed yam species in the world. In many countries, its cultivation is expanding because of its ease of preparation, taste nutritional and medicinal properties. Dioscorea species are wild vegetables found to have an impressive nutritional and medicinal properties. Dioscorea species used as a staple food. These plants offer various benefits and opportunities to communities; for example, they enable communities to cope with food scarcity. Local communities use wild plant species as vegetables, fruits, beverages, in traditional therapeutic practices, and as a symbol of ethnic identity. It is essential that the locally available these edible herbs and plant parts are rich source of protein, iron, calories and they are also recognized for their characteristic color, flavor and therapeutic value, be used in the diets to prevent the nutrient deficiency and degenerative diseases. This review aims to compile the nutritional and medicinal properties of two Dioscorea species, D. alata, D. hispida. This study aims to compare the nutritional and medicinal properties of Dioscorea alata and Dioscorea hispida, two species known for their significance in traditional medicine and dietary practices. The comparative analysis reveals that D. alata exhibits higher nutritional content compared to D. hispida. However, notable knowledge gaps, including the absence of sufficient clinical trial data, pose challenges in promoting their production and utilization for disease prevention and as essential components of a well-balanced diet. An overview of the nutritional and health importance of yam will harness the crop to meet its potential towards combating hunger and malnutrition, while improving global health.