[Article updated on 19/09/2023]
Fruits and vegetables are the basis of a healthy and balanced diet. Education for good nutrition must contribute to the growth process, so that children learn good eating habits early on. These are products that, with their valuable content of water, vitamins, minerals, fiber and bioactive substances, help to maintain the well-being of our body and strengthen the immune system. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables allows us to provide our body with the microelements and antioxidants it needs. To help you get to know these foods better, today I’m talking about fruits and vegetables whose names start with “i”.
Before reading on
I’m not an expert in this field, but I am passionate about nutrition and health.
The articles you’ll find on my site are the result of in-depth research that I’d like to share with you. However, I would like to stress that I am not a health professional and that my advice should in no way replace that of a qualified physician. I’m here to guide you, but it’s important that you consult a professional for specific questions or medical concerns. Your well-being is important. So be sure to consult the appropriate experts and take the best possible care of yourself.
Fruits whose name starts with “i”
There is only one fruit whose name begins with “i”. This is the icaque.
Icaque
The icaque is a drupe very similar to the peach, although smaller. These fruits can be red, white, blue or yellow. Their flavor is very mild, which is why they are mainly used in the preparation of syrups.
Icaque is the fruit of the icaqui tree (Chrysobalanus icaco). It is a slow-growing tree belonging to the Chrysobalanaceae family. The plant is native to inland and coastal regions of western and central Africa, Central America, South America, the West Indies, Mexico, and central and southern Florida.
The icaqui tree grows on sandy soils or on rocky coastal areas. The plant thrives in moderate climatic conditions and is extremely tolerant of drought, wind and even salt spray.
Health benefits of icaque
Icaque offers a wide variety of health benefits. These fruits are excellent for your eye health. In fact, they contain a reasonable amount of beta-carotene as well as vitamin A, which are crucial for healthy eye function. Additionally, vitamin A and beta-carotene also help delay macular degeneration.
In addition to being good for the eyes, icaques are also excellent for heart health. Consumption of dried icaques helps improve blood fluidity, thereby reducing the chances of developing heart attacks. Eating icaques can also help prevent and treat atherosclerosis. It can also help reduce the risk of stroke.
Using an icaque cream will help improve your complexion and reduce the appearance of sun spots and age spots. Icaques also contain high amounts of vitamin C, which is very beneficial for the immune system. This vitamin also increases the resistance of our body against various types of irritations and contaminations.
Icaque may help prevent cancer. Studies have shown that, like plums, this fruit is rich in epicatechin, a compound capable of slowing the growth of malignant cancer cells.
Vegetables whose name starts with “i”
There is only one vegetable whose name begins with “i”. This is the yam.
Yams
Although they are considered starchy (rich in starch) vegetables, yams are composed of complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber allowing for slow absorption of sugars into the bloodstream. It is this characteristic that is the basis of their success as a low glycemic index meal.
Good source of vitamin A
The vitamin A contained in yam has functions, such as maintaining the health of healthy mucous membranes and skin. This vitamin contributes to the improvement of night vision, the proper support of skeletal development and the protection against lung and oral cancer.
Rich in vitamin C
Yams are a good source of vitamin C. They provide 27% of the recommended daily intake. This vitamin is essential for fighting infections such as colds and flu. It helps heal quickly, reduces aging, and helps build strong bones. It is also involved in the proper functioning of the immune system.
B vitamins
Yams also provide good amounts of fiber, potassium, manganese and B vitamins. Their vitamin B6 content is essential for reducing the effects of homocysteine, which can damage cell walls and lead to heart attacks.
Other nutrients in yam include thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin, folate, pantothenic acid, and niacin. Yam also contains copper, calcium, potassium, iron, manganese and phosphorus, all of which are beneficial minerals for the body.
Chinese medicine, Korean medicine, and Japanese medicine have used yams for centuries. Yams contain Allantoin, a compound that speeds the healing process when applied as a poultice to boils and abscesses. This compound is also used to stimulate the appetite and relieve bronchial problems.
Unless peeled and cooked, yams may contain toxins such as dioscorin, diosgenin and tri-terpenesis. So use them carefully.