Benefits of Taro Root include high amounts of energy, promotes weight loss, lowers blood pressure and improves muscular health, cleansing stomach, prevents cancer, strengthens bones and teeth, a rich source of amino acids, controls blood sugar levels, improved heart health, prevents aging, improves vision, boosts immunity, improves blood circulation and hair growth.
Taro roots are tubers of the taro plants which have signature long, wide leaves. It is widely consumed across the globe and becoming very popular due to its high nutrition and many health benefits.
13 Magical Benefits of Eating Taro Root
1. High Amounts of Energy
Arbi, while having a low glycemic index, is an excellent source of energy. While many of us gym-goers use protein bars to give us a boost of energy, taro is often used by professional athletes to provide themselves with the boost they need so desperately. So many professional athletes use it due to its long-lasting boost and cost-effectiveness. So remember this weird vegetable when hitting the gym.
2. Promotes Weight Loss
Eating taro root can keep your stomach fuller for longer, and because of it, you will eat fewer calories in a day.
One of the key things that make taro such a suitable part of your diet is that it can help you shed those extra pounds. It can play a huge role in your weight loss journey.
While it isn’t going to make you slim overnight, it can certainly have an effect. It does so because it has a large amount of fiber, which causes your stomach to stay full for longer.
The recommended daily guideline for fiber intake for men in the age group 19-50 is 42g while for the same age group, women are recommended to consume a minimum of 35g. The low caloric index of Arbi (Taro root) helps you stay within a calorie deficit and ultimately lose weight.
Moreover, it has a low glycemic index, which means it breaks down much slower than your average vegetable, which means it releases energy slowly but also uses more energy to break further increasing your caloric deficit.
3. Lowers Blood Pressure and Improves Muscular Health
Anyone who is suffering from hypertension (or high blood pressure) can tell you that one thing to avoid is sodium. This vegetable is perfect for that purpose. It has a low amount of sodium, just enough so that your kidneys may function correctly, but not so much that you might get a heart attack.
Containing considerable amounts of magnesium and vitamin E, both of which are known to improve metabolism and sustain muscle mass. Magnesium in the diet can take your physical abilities to the next level. It has shown to improve gait speed, grip strength, and bodyweight exercises.
Vitamin E, on the other hand, is a known aid to muscle fatigue. Taro is also a good source of carbohydrates that severely help the rebuilding of muscle fibers after a period of strenuous activity.
4. Cleansing Stomach
Your digestive system is truly beyond amazing. However, that does not mean it is limitless. There are some caps to the abilities of this vital organ.
For example, it cannot digest fiber; however, it cannot function properly without it either. A lack of fiber in the diet can cause constipation or stool retention.
Taro root has a large proportion of fiber and is, therefore, essential to the health of the G.I tract (gastrointestinal tract). They make up the bulk of the feces and aid in peristalsis, the mechanism by which food is moved through your small and large intestines.
Not just this, but they can serve to create the perfect environment for microbes in our stomach, which, unlike the common misconception, is a good thing in most cases.
5. Prevents Cancer
According to recent experiments, taro tubes cells were vital in inhibiting the regeneration of certain types of cancer cells. It can be attributed to the fact that taro tubes have plant-based compounds known as polyphenols, which can reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancers.
Quercetin, which is a compound found in taro roots, as well as apples, onions, and tea, is a known chemo preventer. It means that it can be a hindrance to the development of tumors.
Along with these compounds, Arbi contains high traces of vitamin A, which is a crucial factor in inhibiting tumor growth. In fact, a suitable serving of Arbi has more than the required intake guideline of Vitamin A.
6. Strengthens Bones and Teeth. (Bonus Included)
Taro root is a generous source of both magnesium and vitamin E, which are both crucial in maintaining the structural integrity of your bones and teeth.
It can help you maintain your oral health and lower the risk of fractures by aiding the growth of your bones and ultimately increase your bone density.
In a weird series of events, somehow, our skin ends up winning. Vitamin A and E, along with the antioxidants in the taro root, can result in clearer skin.
It is done by affecting intercellular signals passage, which are responsible for skin damage. Hence they provide protection from photodamage and pollution.
7. Rich Source of Amino Acids
Highly nutritious, taro root is an unlikely source of amino acids. There are 20 naturally occurring amino acids, out of the 20, taro root contains almost 17 of these acids alongside the omega 3 fatty acids and the omega 6 fatty acids, which are key to fighting bad cholesterol and maintaining a good lipid profile.
The combination of these nutrients can be extremely positive to our body and help us fight confusion, restlessness, headache, shortness of breath, and lack of coordination.
8. Controls Blood Sugar Levels
It has also been recommended to people at risk of developing type-2 diabetes as it helps control their glycemic levels and lower the risk of developing diabetes.
Along with this, taro has been long used by patients with diabetes to satiate their craving without causing their blood sugar to spike.
It is because, like most vegetables, taro contains very few sugars and high fiber content, which again curbs your hunger to allow for healthier eating.
9. Improved Heart Health
Cardiovascular disorders are one of the biggest and growing concerns in the developing and developed world alike. These problems are at an all-time high and have no end in sight.
Some foods are found to be friends of humanity; one such is taro root that is a powerpack of nutrients in just the perfect proportion.
The high amounts of potassium can be an aid when it comes to tackling low-density cholesterol and fighting atherosclerosis.
10. Prevents Aging
The abundance of antioxidants in this vegetable can reduce the amount of stress on our body caused by free radicals. It coupled with its ability to encourage cell growth. Taro root can promote healthier, fresher skin. It can be a powerful deterrent to the appearance of blemishes, dark spots, and wrinkles.
11. Improves Vision
Taro roots contain potent antioxidants such as beta-carotene and cryptoxanthin. This wonder vegetable can be an essential aid in improving your vision. These compounds are known to reduce the risk of macular degeneration, along with this, it is widely accepted as a dietary change one can bring to prevent cataracts and many other disorders of the eyes.
12. Boosts Immunity
Your immune system is your body’s defense system against attacks from bacteria and viruses. It is because of your immune system that you don’t get the flu two times in flu season and are thus very vital for our survival.
The presence of the previously mentioned antioxidants in taro roots can help strengthen it. Along with these anti-oxidative properties, they are hypocholesterolemia, hypoglycemic, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory.
All these properties are linked with the presence of bioactive compounds such as and bioactive proteins and phytic acids.
Vitamin C is known to fortify our body’s defenses against many common illnesses such as COPD and the common flu. The antioxidants work to detoxify the free radicals in your body and stop cell damage.
13. Improves Blood Circulation and Hair Growth
Iron and copper are both required by your body for proper blood circulation. Iron is a significant component in blood and is primarily responsible for the transport of oxygen in the body. Taro roots, therefore, help prevent iron-deficiency and help avoid fatigue, headaches, and lack of focus.
While this is enough of a reason to be a fan of Arbi already, a better blood circulation system can mean improved blood flow to the scalp and hair follicles which coupled with the fact that taro roots are bursting with folates and iron which are key to new hair cell growth and the health of your follicles. These nutrients help by adding volume to your hair by promoting the growth of new hair strands.
Copper in the vegetable can inhibit the greying of hair and give your hair a shinier appearance.
Conclusion
However, it is our duty that we must tell you that some properties specific to taro root may be harmful, as it contains a tiny, crystalline substance that can have adverse effects on your body.
To ensure that you do not encounter this, cook the vegetable until you’re sure that it is now safe to consume.
How did you like this article? Rate us on a scale of 1-10 and tell us if we forgot any benefits of Arbi.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/taro-root-benefits#section7