What are the benefits of cassava root?

Cassava tubers contain many beneficial components for health. However, this root vegetable can also have many negative effects on human health if not prepared properly, especially when eaten raw or in excessive amounts.

Nutritional components in cassava

Cassava is a root vegetable very rich in carbohydrates. Every 100g of boiled cassava contains 112 calories. 98% of these calories come from carbohydrates, with the remaining calories coming from small amounts of fat and protein.

In addition, cassava provides the human body with fiber, minerals, and some essential vitamins.

100g of boiled cassava contains the following specific nutrients:

27g Carbohydrate
1g of fiber
Vitamin B1: 20% of the body's daily requirement.
Phosphorus: 5% of the body's daily requirement.
Calcium: 2% of the body's daily requirement.
Vitamin B2: 2% of the body's daily requirement.
Iron, vitamin B3, vitamin C.

Benefits of cassava

Cassava offers many health benefits and helps prevent several common diseases, such as:

Treatment of diarrhea

According to content on the Long Chau Pharmacy website, reviewed by University Pharmacist Tran Huynh Minh Nhat, cassava helps improve gut health and prevent diarrhea.

Cassava contains antioxidants that help improve diarrhea and stomach pain. Furthermore, it aids in detoxification, stabilizes the intestinal system, and helps the stomach function more efficiently.

Relieves headaches

Cassava contains vitamin B2, an active ingredient called riboflavin, which effectively improves migraines and headaches. In addition, the vitamin A content in this root vegetable helps improve eyesight and prevent wrinkles.

However, it's important to note that excessive consumption of cassava can lead to acute poisoning. Use cassava in moderation to minimize unwanted side effects.

Cassava root helps relieve headaches, treat diarrhea... (Illustrative image: Pixabay)

Improve eyesight

Another major benefit of cassava is its ability to protect eye health. Eating cassava provides ample vitamin A and essential minerals to improve vision and prevent age-related vision loss.

Healing wounds

The stem, leaves, and roots of the cassava plant are all beneficial in treating and preventing wound infections and promoting faster healing.

Reduce fever.

Boil cassava with its leaves or make a decoction to drink to reduce fever.

Improve digestion

The insoluble fiber in cassava helps improve digestion by absorbing toxins deposited in the intestines and reducing inflammation in the digestive tract.

A study published in The International Journal of Food Sciences & Nutrition showed that the fiber content of cassava prevents the occurrence of digestive problems.

Boost your energy

According to Boldsky, cassava is rich in carbohydrates that improve brain function and provide energy to the body. In addition, cassava is beneficial for nerve health, lowers blood pressure, and helps prevent osteoporosis. The protein in the tuber maintains muscle health and nourishes tissues.

People who should not eat cassava

According to an article on the Medlatec General Hospital website, with medical consultation from Dr. Duong Ngoc Van, to minimize health risks, these people should not eat cassava:

Pregnant women who want to eat cassava should cook it thoroughly before eating and only consume it in limited quantities. Absolutely no raw cassava should be eaten.
For children, whose digestive systems are still developing and immature, adding cassava to their diet can damage their digestive system and seriously affect their health, even causing poisoning.

Thus, it can be seen that cassava is an extremely nutritious food, but it can lead to unnecessary health risks if consumed improperly.

Khanh An (compiled)

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