14 Amazing Benefits Of Taro Root And Its Nutritional Profile

Taro root (popularly known as arbi) is a widely grown species in the group of tropical perennial plants known as elephant ears. It is a root vegetable that is generally eaten as a side dish or in a curry. It originates in India and Malaysia and grows in both dry and wet places (1). Taro root’s benefits are gaining the attention of many health enthusiasts. The leaves of this plant are also used in cooking for their unique nutty flavor. But caution is advised while peeling this vegetable as it may cause skin irritation and itching.

Know Your Ingredient: Taro Root

What Is It?
A root vegetable with a nutty flavor.

What Are Its Benefits?
It helps with fatigue, weight loss, and hypertension and boosts immunity, the digestive process, and heart health.

Who Can Use It?
In general, anyone can eat it except when having gastric issues.

How Often?
A cup of taro can provide about a third of your daily required manganese intake.

Caution
Always cook it before consuming it, as the calcium oxalate content in it is toxic. It may cause rash, hives, or itching after consumption.

Keep reading to learn more about this vegetable and its benefits!

Taro Root Benefits

Let us look at the top 14 benefits of taro root vegetable:

1. Reduces Fatigue

Taro root is mainly consumed by athletes for long lasting energy. This is because it contains a low glycemic index which is good for athletes.

2. Weight Loss

Taro roots can prove to be very beneficial for the ones who want to lose weight, since this has very low caloric content.

One cup of cooked taro can give you 187 calories (2).

3. Digestion

This root contains a good amount of fiber that is useful for the digestive process. This gives you a feeling of being full for a longer time even after a small meal. Thus, eating taro roots can be useful to lose pounds and maintain your weight, since it has low calories and high fiber (3). If you are looking for more fiber-rich options, you may also explore burdock roots, as they are quite rich in terms of fiber. Here, knowing burdock root benefits will help you make an excellent choice for a wholesome diet.

 4. Clears Stomach

Foods that contain high amounts of fiber are also known to boost the digestive process. This helps to eliminate the wastes from the body and prevent re-occurrence.

5. Heart Health

One cup of taro root has 0.1g fat and cholesterol, which helps to prevent hardening of the arteries. You can consume it several times without worrying about gaining weight or other health problems related to fatty foods like heart or kidney diseases. Taro roots can give 19% of the daily required Vitamin E that is required to prevent the risks of a heart attack.

6. Hypertension

Hypertension or high blood pressure is mostly observed in the mid aged group of individuals which can be kept in control by consuming foods that are low in fat and sodium. One cup of taro gives only 20 mg of sodium that helps to maintain kidney problems and fluid retention.

7. Antioxidant

Taro is one of the best sources of Vitamin C, since one cup of taro can give 11% of your daily requirement of Vitamin C.

This acts as an antioxidant to remove toxins from your body and detoxifies it (4).

8. Immunity

Vitamin C in taro is useful in regenerative functions and boosts the immunity of the body.

Trivia

Taro contains tarin which can modulate the immune response and boost immunity in healthy individuals or people with leukopenia (low white blood cell count) (5).

9. Low Glycemic Index Food

Taro root has a Low Glycemic Index (6). This helps to break down glucose in the liver slowly and aids in weight loss and lowers blood sugar. This is also useful for hypoglycaemia as this provides long lasting energy.

10. Aging Process

This is a very nutritious food that contains many Vitamins – A, C, B, minerals like copper, manganese, zinc, magnesium, calcium, iron, selenium, potassium, beta-carotene and cryptoxanthin. All these are good antioxidants that are useful to protect against diseases and slow down the aging process. This also contains protein and is gluten-free, cholesterol-free and low in sodium too.

Fun Fact

As per Hawaiian legends, taro was the stillborn child of a Goddess. The taro plant grew from where the child was buried. The plant is considered an ancestor of Hawaiian people.

11. Cancer

Taro is very high in Vitamin A that has more than 160% of your daily requirement of Vitamin A. The leaves and roots of taro contain polyphenols which are great antioxidants to protect even from cancer (7).

12. Muscle Health

Taro contains Vitamin E and magnesium that can protect you from cancer and heart disease (8). This also helps to maintain your blood pressure and is helpful for fluid regulation. Taro roots contain magnesium which is vital for muscle, bone and nerve health.

13. Amino Acids and Omega-3 Oils

Taro root has more than 17 different amino acids that are essential to maintain good health (9). This also has Omega 3 and 6 oils which are required for maintaining cardiovascular health, cancer prevention, and other diseases.

14. Cooking

Taro roots and leaves both have great flavors. They can be cooked and impart a nutty flavor, whereas the leaves taste like cabbage. Taro roots are used to prepare curries, fried for chips, cakes, roasted, boiled, steamed, pureed etc.

Yogi Cameron, a YouTuber, and a guest Yogini who frequents his vlogs talk about the benefits of taro root and how they use it in their cooking as a replacement for potatoes. The Yogini says, “ I started using it and potatoes aren’t around much anymore because they totally surpassed the potato with taste, with their benefits, and their medical properties (i).”

Quick Tip

Raw or undercooked taro may cause an itchy mouth and throat as it contains calcium oxalate. Therefore always ensure to cook it properly.

Now you know how taro benefits your health, let’s look into its nutrition data.

Taro Root Nutrition Facts

Taro root is like a superfood! It is low in calories but packed with the goodness of vitamins and minerals. Adding it to your diet is a great way to get more nutrients and stay healthy. Here is its nutritional profile.

Taro Root Nutrition Facts

Taro root is not just good for you; it is also delicious! You can use it in so many different dishes. It has a nutty flavor and a creamy texture that is perfect for all kinds of recipes. Let’s explore this in the next section.

Culinary Uses Of Taro Root

Taro root has a neutral taste and can be easily steamed or mashed, making it an ideal base for various recipes. Consider using taro in soups or purées for added nutrition and flavor. Here are some ways to have taro root:

• Boiled and mashed taro can give soups and stews a hearty and creamy texture.
• It is an ideal potato substitute. You can pound and mash it, and season it with butter, salt, and pepper, similar to mashed potatoes.
• Deep-fried or baked taro slices make for crispy and delicious chips, making your snack time healthy and savory.
• You can use it to make dumplings or gnocchi, which can be served with various sauces.
• You can also make desserts such as cakes, puddings, and ice cream with it. If you love boba tea, you’d be delighted to know that you can also make taro pearl milk with taro powder.

Keep scrolling to check out a simple yet yummy recipe listed below.

Taro Root Recipe

Taro Root Masala Fry

Ingredients

• 250 grams of taro root, sliced
• 2 tablespoons of cooking oil
• ½ teaspoon of mustard seeds
• ½ teaspoon of cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon of coriander powder
• ½ teaspoon of cumin powder
• ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder
• ½ teaspoon of chili powder
• ½ teaspoon of garam masala
• 2-3 coriander sprigs for garnish
• Salt, to taste

How To Prepare

1. Heat up the oil in a frying pan on medium heat.
2. Add the cumin and mustard seeds, letting them heat up until they splutter.
3. Add the sliced taro root and salt and stir. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the powdered coriander, cumin, turmeric, and chili, mixing well until the taro root is coated with them uniformly.
5. Add some water if the taro root starts sticking to the pan, and keep frying for 20 minutes until well-cooked.
6. Sprinkle garam masala and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
7. Garnish with chopped coriander and serve.

Infographic: Top Reasons To Have Taro Root

The great nutritious richness of taro root makes it a pantry staple. It also serves as a good substitute for fellow underground vegetables (like the potato). While the aforementioned article highlighted all the benefits of having this wonderful root, we’ve selected some of the important ones here. Check out the infographic below to learn more about the top health benefits taro root offers.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to store taro root?

You can store taro root in a cool, dry place away from sunlight to maintain freshness.

Is taro healthier than potatoes?

Yes, taro is healthier than potatoes. One hundred grams of taro contains more fiber compared to potatoes, which helps improve digestive system functions (9), (10).

Why is taro root toxic?

The leaves and corms of taro are poisonous due to the acrid calcium oxalate in them if consumed raw.

Can taro root cause kidney stones?

Yes, taro root can cause kidney stones. In addition, the presence of oxalates in taro can increase the risk of kidney stone formation (11).

Is taro a superfood?

Taro root is packed with fiber and a wide variety of vitamins and minerals and is considered a superfood.

What happens if you eat raw taro?

Taro roots should never be eaten raw due to the presence of calcium oxalate. It can cause an itchy mouth and throat if consumed raw.

Illustration: Amazing Benefits Of Taro Root And Its Nutritional Profile

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

Taro root has many amazing benefits and uses. Explore how this nutritious root vegetable can become a versatile ingredient that can be incorporated into a variety of dishes while improving your health.

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Nilofar PendhariCertified Clinical Nutritionist

     

Nilofar Pendhari is a physiotherapist, dietitian, and certified clinical nutritionist having over 9 years of professional experience in the field of dietetics. She specializes in providing effective diet plans for her client’s fitness and weight loss goals.

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Tanya ChoudharyHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Tanya is an ISSA certified Specialist in Fitness & Nutrition. She specializes in writing articles on ingredients that benefit skin, hair, and health. She believes in the right health and lifestyle practices and strives to promote the same to everyone around her.

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Ravi Teja TadimallaCo-Editor-in-Chief

Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a Co-Editor-in-Chief and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over a decade. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University.

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Moksha GandhiHealth & Wellness Writer

Moksha is a health and wellness writer and a certified diet and nutrition coach. Her passion for science and writing has helped her excel in crafting evidence-based articles. Her previous experience in writing science-based research papers ensures that her articles are grounded in research and provide practical tips that are reader-focused.

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