The Properties and benefits of tapioca Are: rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and minerals, is an important source of fiber, contributes a low amount of fats, prevents cardiovascular diseases, helps fight anemia, improves metabolism and others that I will explain later.
Tapioca is the starch extracted from cassava root (also called cassava), a perennial woody shrub with tuberous roots of the Euphorbiaceae family. Although this species is native to northern Brazil, it is nowadays cultivated in all parts of the world.
In addition to being used in the gastronomic area as a thickener of meals, many are the benefits that characterize this food as a great ally of health.
Benefits of tapioca for health
1- Decrease cholesterol levels
Tapioca is characterized by being an important source of fiber and starch. Recent studies have shown that this food has a significant effect on lipid metabolism, as it LDL cholesterol or bad .
Cholesterol is a substance similar to fat and indispensable for life. The body needs it to manufacture hormones, bile acids, vitamin D, among other substances.
However, raising blood cholesterol and depositing it in the arteries can be dangerous and produce Atherosclerosis , A narrowing or hardening of the arteries by depositing cholesterol in its walls.
If this disease is not controlled, ie if LDL cholesterol levels are not reduced, it can lead to the death of the person who suffers.
2- Helps to regain body weight
Due to its high content of complex carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, tapioca is considered a very energetic food.
This product can not be lacking in the diets that those people who suffer from eating disorders that for various reasons can not gain weight.
Also for being a Energy food , Tapioca consumption is recommended for people who play sports.
The consumption of tapioca is ideal for children and adolescents who are in the stage of growth, as it provides all the necessary nutrients for optimal and healthy growth.
3 - Tapioca improves digestion
Tapioca is a food that is very easy to digest, and is therefore advisable for people with digestive problems.
It is recommended in cases of chronic or acute gastritis or ulcers, since it is a food that is well tolerated and provides astringent and emollient properties.
4- Helps to prevent diabetes
The diabetes Is a disease characterized by low insulin production, a resistance to insulin or both. Scientific studies have shown that tapioca ingestion may prevent the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Type 2 diabetes is due to inefficient insulin use and accounts for 90% of the global diabetes cases.
Over time, diabetes can damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves. It also increases the risk of heart disease and stroke (Stroke), diabetic retinopathy and renal failure.
5- Improves skin and hair
Tapioca is an important source of Vitamin B And is extremely beneficial for hair and skin care.
Among the properties of vitamin B we can mention the most outstanding:
- Vitamin B2 helps keep skin healthy and prevent acne breakouts.
- Vitamin B 5 has the ability to reduce the formation of oil and thus reduce the formation of acne. It is also very popular because of its ability to keep skin moist.
- Vitamin B and its derivatives are used in anti-aging products. They also protect against the sun's UV rays that cause skin cancer.
- Vitamin B 1 serves as a lightening agent for the skin.
- Vitamin B helps reduce redness, scaling, and other skin irritations.
6- Prevent heart disease
Tapioca contains zinc, magnesium and copper, which are a very important source of energy for the proper functioning of the body. It also contains potassium, a fundamental component in the production of cellular fluids.
The presence of these minerals makes the tapioca perfectly regulate the heart rate and blood pressure.
Lack of potassium can have serious cardiac consequences, such as muscular paralysis and disorders of heart rate.
7- Improve cellular metabolism
Tapioca is an important source of Vitamin B6 , Which plays a fundamental role in cell metabolism, since it acts as a factor in the formation of amino acids.
It also participates in the metabolism of lipids, glucose, nucleic acids and in the formation of steroid hormones.
This vitamin is essential for the proper functioning of the immune system and for the formation of neurotransmitters.
8- Protects and improves the state of bones
Tapioca is rich in vitamin K, calcium and iron, so it plays a fundamental role in the optimum development of eggs.
It is known that with age the bones lose density, so that it significantly increases the risk of suffering osteoporosis and the arthritis . Tapioca works by protecting the bones from these damages thus preventing the development of these diseases associated with age.
Vitamin K is involved in bone metabolism since Osteocalcin , A primordial bone matrix protein, requires this vitamin for its consolidation.
9- Helps fight anemia
One of the most valuable contributions of tapioca is its iron content. This mineral is essential for the proper functioning of the body, as it contributes to the formation of new Red blood cells .
Together with copper, a mineral also contained in tapioca, iron increases the number of red blood cells thus preventing certain conditions such as anemia.
Tapioca improves blood circulation and oxygen to maintain a healthy body.
10- Tapioca is a food suitable for coeliacs
There are many problems faced by people suffering from Celiac disease . Not only because they must learn to live with the disease, but because they must change drastically the style of feeding.
Tapioca, besides being a nutritious and healthy food, is characterized by being completely free of gluten, making it suitable for celiac people
11- Prevent cancer
Scientific studies have shown that tapioca is rich in Linamarina , A substance that is converted into hydrogen cyanide. Apparently, when the cancer cells absorb this component, they are destroyed automatically.
Tapioca is rich in antioxidants and in this way protects the DNA from free radicals that are causing the development of cancer.
12- Strengthens the immune system
The high content of vitamin C Which has tapioca helps to strengthen the immune system and to make our body more alert to the threat of viruses and bacteria.
The body does not produce vitamin C by itself. Therefore, it is important to include in the diet many foods that contain this vitamin.
Vitamin C is perfect for the proper functioning of the immune system and to combat premature aging and cancer, among other diseases.
13- Protects vision
Tapioca has a high content of Vitamin A . This vitamin protects our eyes, preventing them from being damaged easily and this implies a possible rapid and irreversible loss of vision.
14- Delay aging
Tapioca is rich in vitamin A and C. This slows the aging process of the skin and cells.
These vitamins are responsible for the formation of the retina, so they play a very important role in the proper functioning of vision. It also helps in the fight against signs of aging such as wrinkles, in addition to being helpful in reducing stretch marks, or signs of skin peeling.
CONCLUSIONS
Tapioca is an excellent thickener for meals and is therefore used by many cooks around the world.
Although usually known especially in the gastronomic field, many are the benefits that make this food a great ally of health.
It is easy to cook and can be found in any market. There are no excuses not to include this food in our daily diet.
Changing lifestyle and eating habits is critical to Improve Life Quality And in this way to be healthy and strong.
And what other benefits of tapioca do you know?