Cassava_What is it: Benefits, Nutritional value and Side Effects
We include many types of food items in our diet, which supply the essential nutrients to our body. Cassava is also included in these food items. This article can help you learn more about cassava if you don't already know. We shall go into great detail regarding the characteristics, applications, and advantages of cassava in this article. Cassava can provide some relief from the problems mentioned in the article, but it cannot be an accurate treatment. Yes, it can definitely help in increasing the effect of medical treatment. Also, do ask a doctor once about whether cassava is beneficial for you or not.
Before knowing the properties and benefits of cassava, let us know a little about what cassava is.
What is Cassava
Benefits of Cassava – Benefits of Cassava
Nutritional elements of Cassava – Cassava Nutritional Value
Use of Cassava – How to Use Cassava
Disadvantages of Cassava – Side Effects of Cassava
What is Cassava
Cassava is a bushy plant. Its scientific name is Manihot esculenta. It grows rapidly even in less water. Generally it is found in hot places, where there is shortage of water. Its root is used for food. This is the reason why its root is more popular by the name of cassava. Its root looks a lot like sweet potato. Generally, the sago used in every household is prepared from cassava powder . It can be used for eating in many ways, about which we will tell you further in the article.
Benefits of Cassava – Benefits of Cassava
1. Helpful in reducing appetite
If a person suffering from obesity is trying to lose weight, then cassava can prove beneficial for him . According to experts, it contains resistant starch, which helps in reducing the feeling of hunger. This controls the desire to eat and helps in weight loss (1). For this reason, it can be said that the properties of cassava can prove helpful in getting rid of the problem of obesity.
2. Rich in anti-nutrients
Actually, anti-nutrients can cause both benefits and harm to the body. But, research shows that anti-nutrients called phytate and tannins present in cassava benefit the body . Actually, the presence of these anti-nutrients reduces the toxic substances in cassava and makes it beneficial for health (2) . At the same time, another research mentions that these anti-nutrients can help in controlling infertility, blood glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides along with reducing the risks of cancer (3) .
3. Beneficial for digestive health
Along with the root of cassava, its leaves can also be considered helpful for digestion. Actually, the properties of cassava help in increasing the activity of microbes related to digestion . Besides, it also affects digestion as well as the metabolic process of the entire body (4) . For this reason, it can be assumed that cassava can prove helpful in increasing digestion power.
After knowing the benefits of cassava, we will talk about its nutritional elements in the next article.
Nutritional elements of Cassava – Cassava Nutritional Value
Through the chart given below, you can know in detail about the nutritional elements of cassava (5) .
After the nutritional elements, we will now tell you about the uses of cassava in the next part of the article.
Use of Cassava – How to Use Cassava
Cassava root is a tuber (a root or stem growing underground) just like potatoes, so it is often used in the same way as potatoes. There are many ways to use cassava. Come, let us know some ways of its use.
You can fry its chips in any cooking oil and use them as snacks.
Sago is made from cassava, so you can consume it by making kheer or khichdi .
At the same time, if you want, you can also use it by crushing it and making halwa.
Cassava flour can also be used
Quantity – Talking about the quantity of cassava to be taken, about one-third cup can be consumed up to twice a day (6). It would be better if you ask your doctor or dietician what amount of cassava will be beneficial for you to consume.
Now we also know about the disadvantages of cassava after its use.
Disadvantages of Cassava – Side Effects of Cassava in Hindi
Cassava not only has its own benefits, but at the same time, it also has some disadvantages which it is important to be aware of. This is why there is a need to be more careful about its quantity taken for consumption.
1. Complaint of paralysis in children's legs
The bitter root of cassava contains some poisonous substances, due to which paralysis of legs can be seen in children . In such a situation, do not use the root which is bitter in taste. A research has shown that soaking cassava root can reduce the toxic elements present in it to a great extent (6) . According to doctors, this problem occurs only in those parts of the world where low protein diet is taken and cassava is the main food item.
2. Iodine level is low
Cassava is found to have goitrogenic (increasing thyroid hormone) effects, due to which the amount of iodine in the body may decrease. For this reason, people suffering from thyroid related problems should consume it in less quantity (7) .
3. Problem of goiter
The deadly and poisonous substance cyanide is found in the root of cassava. This is the reason why consuming it in excess may cause eye irritation to some people (8) .
4. Reduces eyesight
Cyanide is found in cassava root. This toxic element can cause physical weakness (8)
5. Physical weakness
Toxic elements like arsenic and cadmium are also found in cassava root, which can cause cancer along with many health problems (9) .
Now you must be well aware about the uses, properties and benefits of cassava. Besides, you must have also come to know which nutritional elements are present in cassava. In such a situation, if you are thinking about its use, it would be better for you to know the disadvantages of cassava very well. Its excessive quantity can cause side effects instead of benefits. Therefore, always consume it in small quantities and only after it is properly cooked.
6. Neurological disorders
Due to the presence of cyanide (a toxic element) in cassava root, it can also affect the nervous system and cause disruption in its functioning. Therefore, you should always be alert about its excessive consumption (10) .
7. Risk of cancer
Toxic elements like arsenic and cadmium are also found in cassava root, which can cause cancer along with many health problems (11) .
Now you must be well aware about the uses, properties and benefits of cassava. Besides, you must have also come to know which nutritional elements are present in cassava. In such a situation, if you are thinking about its use, then it would be better for you to know the disadvantages of cassava very well. Its excessive quantity can cause side effects instead of benefits. Therefore, our advice is that first you read all the important things related to this in the article once.
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