Health benefits of cassava
Cassava is a calorie-rich vegetable that contains plenty of carbohydrates and key vitamins and minerals.
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It is a good source of vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin.
The leaves, which are also edible if a person cooks them or dries them in the sun, can contain up to 25 per cent protein.
Cassava flour is low in calories, fat and sugar.
Here are some benefits of adding cassava to your meal:
Improves digestion
Like other complex carbohydrate-rich vegetables such as yams, peas and broccoli, the starches present in these feed the good gut bacteria, acting as a probiotic and reducing inflammation.
Combat arthritis
The presence of saponins in the root act as anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents in the body which contribute to good bone health.
Immune system boost
Being a good source of vitamin C, cassava becomes a good substitute for more frequent consumption if you want or need to eat more starchy foods within the complex carbohydrate list.
Keep diabetes in check
A person with diabetes should continuously monitor their sugar and carbohydrate intake so that the body doesn't go through high and low sugar peaks. Consuming a balanced diet rich in fibre and resistant starch makes for a gradual release of glucose into the bloodstream.
Energy for exercising
Cassava is a favourite for sports practitioners. In Brazil, for example, it is common to have a classic tapioca crepe with some protein either before or after a training session.
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