Cassava, thanks to its medicinal properties and its nutritional value, helps improve digestion, give an energy boost, improve blood circulation, and above all because its starch is gluten-free, ideal for people with gluten intolerance.
The cassava or tapioca is considered a spurge, of the Euphorbiaceae family and its full scientific name is Manihot esculenta. It is commonly enjoyed in South America and the United States as well, but it is not commonly cultivated there. Cassava is a food rich in vitamins and nutritious fiber for the body that you should not stop trying and include in your daily diet.
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Why eats cassava?
Cassava (cassava) has recently gained popularity because it is a gluten-free tuber, which is why it is often used as a thickening agent in place of wheat, which is dangerous for people with celiac disease. The properties of cassava, undoubtedly make it an essential tuber for a healthy diet. The yucca is a plant tropical, native to South America which was brought by the Spaniards and Portuguese on their trips back home, thus allowing to be cultivated in Europe, Asia and Africa.
Nutritional value of cassava
The flour extracted from cassava, known as cassava, has a very high nutritional value, making it an ideal food for the elderly and children due to the amount of energy provided by the complex carbohydrates it contains, at the same time it is also very digestive, helping to people who suffer from intestinal problems, such as colitis, indigestion or constipation.
The nutritional benefits of cassava include the following values. For 200 grams:
- Vitamins: vitamin B6 (0.7 mg) vitamin C (95 mg).
- Carbohydrates: 54 g.
- Fat: 0.9 g.
- Proteins: 6.5 g.
- Minerals: potassium (1.5 g) and magnesium (130 mg).
Yucca benefits that you should know
Cassava provides a multitude of health benefits, it can be eaten cooked or raw, in addition to being prepared with very varied recipes, such as fried cassava, adding cassava flour to your meals, in sauce or salad, etc. That is why we have prepared a list with the most important benefits of this tuber:
1. Increase circulation
One of the most valuable minerals in cassava is iron. Iron is essential for the normal functioning of the human body, and perhaps one of its most important functions is the creation of new red blood cells. Along with copper, which also comes from cassava, iron increases the number of red blood cells in the blood, thus preventing anemia and related conditions. With more red blood cells in the body, peripheral organs and extremities are guaranteed a healthy flow of blood and oxygen to keep cells healthy and operating at their optimal levels.
2. Reduces birth defects
When a child is born with a problem, it is traumatic for the parents, so prevention is essential, if possible. Cassava or tapioca contains a significant number of vitamins B1, B2, B3, folic acid, among others, which are directly responsible for reducing the chances of neural tube defects in neonatals.
3. Digestive health
Another of the properties of cassava is the large amount of dietary fiber it contains. Fiber has been directly linked to improving a number of conditions within the human body, specifically the digestive system. This fiber helps move stool through the digestive tract, thus eliminating constipation, bloating, intestinal pain, and even more serious conditions like colon cancer.
4. Improves heart health
Furthermore, fiber helps improve heart health by scraping excess cholesterol off the walls of arteries and blood vessels, helping to eliminate atherosclerosis and associated problems such as heart attacks and strokes. Without a doubt this is one of the great properties of cassava.
5. Regulates metabolic activity
Proteins are an essential element of human health, and while many people obtain their protein intake from white and red meats, dairy products, among other sources. However, vegans are always looking for new ways to stay healthy and full of protein and one of those ways is through cassava. As you may know, protein is the foundation of any healthy life.
6. Increases muscle mass
With the high amount of protein in cassava, this food can support the growth of the density of your muscles. Some muscle-related problems can also be prevented with regular consumption of cassava. This is also a solution for those who don’t eat meat or fish as often and suffer from a lack of protein. Cassava is inexpensive and easier to consume, so now you can fill your body with the necessary protein.
7. Increase energy
The feeling of fatigue happens to all of us, and this is not a chronic disease unless there are other symptoms that indicate a certain disease in your body. With its richness in carbohydrates and zero cholesterol, cassava may be the best choice as an energy booster. So, you can feel more energetic without adding any kind of fat to your body.
8. Improve Mental Health
Vitamin K is good for bones, but it is also great for mental health, as cassava is rich in vitamin K. Neural activity can be stimulated with vitamin K, which means that the risk of Alzheimer’s can also be reduce. As the body ages, it reduces activity in the brain, leading to Alzheimer’s disease, but vitamin K allows nerve pathways to be active, protecting brain tissues from free radicals.
9. Keeps you satisfied
In general, it is necessary to eat foods with wheat to give the stomach a feeling of fullness, but wheat contains gluten, which is bad for our health. As it is gluten-free, cassava does our body better than wheat. This is also thanks to the fact that it contains a high amount of carbohydrates, which means that it can make your stomach feel full.
10. Gluten free
Those who suffer from gluten intolerance are not able to eat gluten-containing cakes or breads , but when they are made from cassava flour, which is gluten-free, there is nothing to worry about. This is the best thing about cassava, that you can make cassava a great option, presenting it in different forms, and not only for people with gluten intolerance , but also for those who want to reduce their intake.
We encourage you to try new cassava-based dishes, invent new combinations, create different flavors, and enjoy the benefits that cassava can offer you, including improving your mental and heart health. It is worth trying!