The taro plant belongs to the taro family, and it is one of the beneficial plants for humans because of its high nutritional value because it contains a large number of vitamins and minerals important to the body.
Taro contains a large proportion of vitamins “C”, “D” and “B complex”, as well as a large percentage of water, proteins, carbohydrates, fiber, and fats, in addition to calcium, phosphorous, iron, ascorbic acid, and thiamine.
Taro should not be eaten raw, as it contains a high level of toxic oxalates, so it should be eaten after washing and thoroughly cooking.
The nutritional value of the taro plant
The taro plant offers many health benefits, the most important of which are:
- It contains a large proportion of carbohydrates.
- It contains a large percentage of vitamin A, which is important for eye health.
- It contains a large percentage of vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant, as well as its importance for the health of the body, prevention of diseases, and strengthening of the immune system.
- It contains a large proportion of folic acid, which is important for strengthening the blood and promoting the production of red blood cells.
- Helps protect against anemia, because it contains a large proportion of iron.
- It protects against constipation, improves the functioning of the digestive system, and maintains the health of the heart and blood vessels because it contains a large proportion of dietary fiber.
- It is considered one of the foods rich in a large number of minerals such as zinc, phosphorous, manganese, iron, and copper.
- The taro plant contains a large proportion of potassium, which is important for the heart and maintaining blood pressure.
- Taro contains a large proportion of magnesium, which is important for strengthening muscles, bones, and nerves, in addition to its importance in maintaining blood pressure, controlling sugar levels, and enhancing the performance of the immune system.
The medical importance of taro
The taro plant is not just an ordinary meal, but food that offers many medical benefits to the body because of the vitamins, minerals, and useful components it contains, the most important of which are:
- Taro helps relieve pain.
- Helps activate the beneficial bacteria in the intestines.
- It regulates the level of good cholesterol in the body.
- Eating taro helps in strengthening the bones and teeth because it is rich in calcium and magnesium.
- Taro works to control the level of sugar in the blood.
- Eating taro improves hair health and treats hair loss and brittleness.
- It improves the functioning of the digestive system and strengthens the stomach.
- It is considered an excellent food to stimulate blood circulation.
- Maintains oral health.
- It kills bacteria, germs, and fungi.
- Treats Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
- It strengthens eyesight and maintains the health of the eyes because it contains vitamin A.
- It is considered a natural laxative that treats constipation and stimulates digestion.
- Diuretics prevent fluid retention in the body.
- Protects bones from fracture and fragility.
- Reduces the level of triglycerides and harmful cholesterol in the body.
- It prevents cancerous diseases because it contains a large proportion of antioxidants.
- Prevents tooth decay and cleanses the mouth.
- Treats high blood pressure.
- Taro treats anemia and anemia.
- Treats skin ulcers and wounds.
- Reduces infections of the throat and larynx.
- Treats bladder and kidney stones and cleanses the urinary system.
- Taro is useful in treating obesity and weight gain, and it is easy to digest and does not constitute a burden on the stomach.
- It is useful in treating stomach ulcers.
- Helps treat thrush and tuberculosis.
- Taro works to expel toxins from the body.
- A powerful expectorant and cough suppressant.
- Strengthens immunity thanks to its vitamins and minerals.
- It fights cancerous tumors thanks to the antioxidants that prevent the proliferation and division of cancer cells.
- Protects the heart from crises and diseases and strengthens it because it is rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Thus, the taro plant is a useful and nutritious meal for adults and children, and it must be eaten after cooking to obtain a meal rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and natural antioxidants, it protects against diseases and treats many of them, so care must be taken to eat it for better health and stronger immunity.