When it comes to twins a lot of myths are always flying around, from the one that states that eating white moi moi “Ekuru” can attract twins to you because twins are lovers of this yoruba delicacy, others say if you don’t like twins they will visit your home, this one is about yam, eating yam they say can give you twins and this myth is supported by fact. A town in Oyo State called Igbo-Ora has recorded the highest number of twin births in the whole world, the town is often referred to as “the land of twins” by it’s habitants although no one has a cogent reason as to why this town has the highest twins population in the whole world, maybe they eat a lot of yam.
Researchers are of the opinion that diet can be the perfect explanation for this phenomenon, and why yam of all foods? Because yam contains phytoestrogen, an estrogen compound that increases a woman’s Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), and may induce a higher rate of ovulation.
This chemical component is concentrated in the peelings from yam, and it has been linked to a hyper ovulation; the release of more than one egg, which usually leads to twin pregnancies. And as y’all know, many Nigerians especially Yoruba people are lovers of yam, fried, roasted, pounded yam, they even make amala from dried yam which explains a lot.
Also, the number of twins being born in the Western part of Nigeria is high and will keep rising due to the increased use of fertility drugs and in vitro fertilization, both of which raise the chance of double or even multiple ovulations. Older moms are more likely to give birth to twins because of the presence of FSH hormone in their bodies.
If you are fascinated by twins, or you’ve been trying to conceive and two children at once are the only compensation you can have for the lost time, there’s nothing wrong in eating more yam, it’s not like it can do you any harm or something. Although it’s not 100% sure, it certainly has no side effect.
Twins baby dust to you Mamalette!
Photo via pinterest
