Cocoyam,
or Taro or dasheen corm possesses more calories than potatoes. 100
grams of root provides 112 calories. Their calorie value chiefly comes
from complex carbohydrates, amylose and amylopectin.
Nonetheless, the roots are very low in fats and protein than in cereals
and pulses. Their protein levels can be comparable to that of other
tropical food sources like yam, cassava, potato, plantain etc.
Cocoyams
are free from gluten protein. They carry high-quality phyto-nutrition
profile comprising of dietary fiber, and antioxidants in addition to
moderate proportions of minerals and vitamins.
It is one of the
finest sources of dietary fibres; 100g flesh provides 4.1g or 11 percent
of daily-requirement of dietary fiber. Together with slow digesting
complex carbohydrates, moderate amounts of fiber in the food help
gradual rise in blood sugar levels.
Yellow-fleshed roots and
young, tender leaves have significant levels of phenolic flavonoid
pigment antioxidants such as B-carotenes, and cryptoxanthin along with
vitamin A. 100g fresh taro leaves provide 4825 IU or 161 percent of RDA
of vitamin A. altogether, these compounds are required for maintaining
healthy mucus membranes, skin and vision. Consumption of natural foods
rich in flavonoid helps protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
It
also contains good levels of some of the valuable B-complex group of
vitamins such as pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), folates, riboflavin,
pantothenic acid and thiamine.
Further, the corms provide healthy
amounts of some of important minerals like zinc, magnesium, copper,
iron, and manganese. In addition the root has very good amounts of
potassium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids
that help regulate heart rate and blood pressure. |
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