Cassava root is a starchy tuberous root that is grown in tropical and subtropical areas. This resemblance to the sweet potato is a staple food in many developing countries around the world. Cassava is extremely drought tolerant and capable of growing in medium soil, making it a great crop to grow in dry climates. Yucca root, or yucca, is sometimes confused with a plant native to the desert of the United States, also Yucca, but pronounced differently.
You may have seen this long, dark brown tuber in the supermarket aisle, but you didn’t know what it was. After reading these cassava root benefits that most people ignore, you might want to add it to your regular diet.
Is cassava root poisonous?
Yea! Cassava root is poisonous if eaten raw. This tuber contains chemicals that trigger the release of poisonous hydrogen cyanide. Thousands of people suffer cyanide poisoning from cassava, another name for cassava root. Be sure to cook the root pieces well. Soaking and then cooking the cassava makes the compounds harmless. Even in areas where cassava is regularly consumed, people sometimes do not cook it well, leading to serious health problems such as:
- goiter risk
- Neuropathy
- paralyzed legs in children
- low levels of iodine
- Weakness
- difficulty walking
- Feeling like something is on your feet
- feeling intoxicated
- Death
What is the safest way to prepare Yuca?
According to the CDC, the safest way to prepare cassava root is to soak the tubers in water for four to six days before cooking. Then follow these instructions to safely prepare it:
- First, peel the cassava root.
- Cut it into small pieces.
- Soak these pieces in water for four to six days.
- Boil until well cooked.
- Discard the cooking water.
- Always follow package directions for frying, roasting or roasting cassava root.
Cassava Root Benefits That Most People Ignore
Add this root vegetable to your diet for those healthy boosts.
1- Rich in vitamin C
Cassava root is rich in vitamin C. vitamin C fights oxidative stress that affects your immune system. This powerful vitamin also helps.
- to heal wounds
- Helps form blood vessels
- Build cartilage and muscle.
- It forms collagen in your bones.
If you’re struggling to get enough vitamin C, add some cassava root to your weekly menu. This will boost your vitamin C levels and give you a great food alternative to try.
2 – Anti-aging
Resveratrol is a natural antioxidant compound that fights free radicals that damage your body. Cassava root contains a good amount of resveratrol. It also regenerates skin cells and reverses sun damage. It’s in some organic cosmetics.
Adding it to your diet once gives you an anti-aging boost and makes your skin look great.
3 – Low glycemic index
Your glycemic index measures how much a certain food raises your blood sugar levels. Foods with a high glycemic index cause blood sugar levels to rise rapidly, leading to diabetes symptoms such as weight loss and fatigue. For example, although cassava root is rich in starch, it has a low glycemic index. The glycemic index of baked potato is 78, but this root has a low glycemic level of 46. As a result, cassava makes it a better alternative and prevents blood sugar spikes from occurring.
4 – Protect your heart
Cassava root is rich in fiber, which is particularly healthy for heart health. Plus, it’s rich in beta-carotene, a natural pigment that gives this root vegetable its dark brown color. Beta carotene protects your heart from damage caused by oxidative stress. Oxidative stress attacks your body’s cells. This stress on your body’s cells can lead to heart disease. The root added to your regular diet can help prevent these adverse effects on your heart.
5 – Cassava root provides immune support
Another great benefit is support for the immune system. Eating it can help your immune system fight off harmful bacteria and viruses that invade your body. Also, eating fresh fruits and vegetables, including this root, increases phenol levels. Phenols are antioxidants that help eliminate oxidative stress from free radicals. Other foods besides cassava root that are rich in phenols include these sources:
- blackberries
- dark skinned grapes
- Coffee
- pomegranates
- strawberries
- raspberries
6 – Anti-inflammatory
Arthritis, an inflammatory condition, causes painful swelling and stiffness in the joints. Native Americans used this root for rheumatic and arthritic pain for hundreds of years. They dry the root and then grind it into powder. The powder is boiled and drunk to relieve arthritic pain. The root contains manganese, a natural remedy for painful arthritis. Adding it to your menu can lower your risk of rheumatoid arthritis if you are an older woman. In addition, the antioxidants in cassava root reduce joint inflammation caused by arthritis.
7 – Cassava root is a source of potassium
Like many tubers, cassava root contains potassium. This mineral helps maintain lean muscle mass and boost your energy levels. If you eat processed foods, your sodium levels may be too high. Therefore, it is good to maintain potassium and lessen the effects of sodium, thus helping to balance the body. Getting enough potassium can help
- Combat the symptoms of weakness
- Avoid muscle cramps
- Constipation
- Irritability
- maintain blood pressure
- Reduce your chance of stroke
- heart disease
8 – Helps fight constipation
Cassava root has a soapy texture that is stringy, which encourages healthy bowel movements and keeps you regular. Combining cassava root with whole grains can also help, but be sure to consume small amounts and drink plenty of water. It is believed that part of the reason it works so well is that its anti-inflammatory properties create healthy gut flora.
9 – Cassava reduces cholesterol
The dietary fiber and magnesium in cassava may also help lower LDL cholesterol levels. In addition, fiber supports heart health. LDL cholesterol causes plaque to build up in the arteries, which can block blood flow to and from the heart. By helping to maintain healthy cholesterol levels, eating it can help your body run smoothly.
10 – Healthy eyes
There are vitamins and minerals in cassava root that can benefit your eyes. These include:
- Folic Acid – Along with vitamin C, folic acids keep your body producing collagen.
- Collagen: based on proteins. Helps maintain skin and eye health. When collagen production declines, glaucoma and cataracts are more suspect.
- Vitamin A: The eye vitamin helps maintain good vision.
- Including this root in your diet can help keep your eyes healthy and prevent eye-related diseases.
11 – Helps you lose weight
If you’re trying to lose a few pounds, try adding cassava root to your menu. Fiber fills you up, so you feel full and don’t eat as much. Fiber also helps keep your appetite in check. Some suggest eating this root in the morning to start your day with fiber and keep you feeling full all day.
12 – Gives you healthy skin
Some of the ingredients in cassava root promote naturally healthy skin. Everything from commercial peels to exfoliants, use it for skin care. You may have noticed that cassava root is often a key ingredient in your skin care products. Skin care companies use it because this tuber contains large amounts of vitamin C, a collagen-forming ingredient in skin care products. As a result, it protects against skin damage and prevents skin hyperpigmentation.
13 – Cassava root heals wounds
Because one cup of cassava root contains about 42 mg. of vitamin C, is a super healer. This vitamin has antioxidant capabilities that help to heal the skin. Add it mixed with various fruits and vegetables to support your body’s repair of infections or wounds.
14 – Increase your iron levels
If you are a vegetarian or vegan, cassava root can help you boost your iron levels. Cassava is fortified with vitamin C. The combination boosts iron levels when added to iron-rich vegetables like spinach or kale, or cassava root. Iron deficiencies are common in people who do not eat meat. Iron deficiency is serious. Some of the complications include:
- brain function problems
- weak immune system
- Child mortality
- birth defects
15 – Helps control diabetes
When you eat resistant starch like cassava root, it helps to reduce your body’s insulin response. Also, eating moderate amounts of cassava root helps control blood sugar levels if you are pre-diabetic. As a result, you can manage your insulin without worrying about spikes.
What foods can you make with cassava root?
You can make a variety of foods with Yuca. Just be sure to cook the tuber well to flush out the toxins. Some foods you might want to eat include:
- French fries
- Cassava Chips Instead of French Fries
- Manioc bread
- Cassava puree as an alternative to mashed potatoes
- Manioc bread
- Tapioca-you can find it in stores it is made with cassava root
- gluten free bread
- Manioc cake
Final Thoughts on the Health Benefits of Cassava Root
Cassava is similar in appearance to a sweet potato. This staple food feeds thousands of people across the world. Now might be the time if you haven’t tried in the past. Contains antioxidants, fights oxidative stress, stimulates the immune system and protects vision. You may have seen this long, dark brown tuber in the supermarket, but you didn’t know what it was. Try adding cassava root to your regular menu to enjoy some of its fantastic health benefits.
By Jennifer Hinders. Article in English