We cannot emphasize much how important it is to eat a balanced diet these days if you wish to live longer and that too healthy. Nutrition should be your priority while choosing your meal as there is only one thing that can safeguard your well-being and that is good food. Green leafy vegetables hold the utmost importance in the diet as these are rich sources of iron, fiber and other essential nutrients. Taro leaves, have you heard about these giant heart-shaped leafy vegetables yet? If not, let us tell us that this plant(scientific name- Colocasia esculenta) is known for its starchy root and its leaves are used as food in several cuisines. These leaves are poisonous in the raw form but when cooked, these become health-beneficial.
Nutrition profile
Let us begin with the nutritional value first. This green leafy vegetable is low in calories and high in fiber which is good for those who are on a weight loss diet.
Here is the nutritional background of this vegetable:
150 grams of Taro Leaves contain:
- Calories- 35
- Carbs- 6 grams
- Protein- 4 grams
- Fiber- 3 grams
- Fat- 1 gram
- Vitamin C- 57%
- Vitamin A- 34%
- Folate- 17%
- Potassium- 14%
- Calcium- 13%
- Iron- 10%
Potential Health Benefits Of Eating Taro Leaves
Due to their rich nutrient profile, these leaves provide certain health benefits. The following are the detailed advantages of eating cooked taro leaves.
1. Disease prevention
As taro leaves have high Vitamin C and polyphenol content, this means that it is high in antioxidants. These antioxidants fight free radicals which are the primary triggers of multiple diseases like autoimmune diseases, cancer, heart ailments, etc. consuming these, thus, would keep your health secure.
2. Secure heart health
Green leafy veggies such as taro leaves, kale, spinach, etc. are boon for the heart. Consuming these on a regular basis is found to cut down the risk of heart diseases by almost 16% which is huge! Also, these have a nice amount of dietary nitrate which helps in maintaining blood pressure. Therefore, if you want your heart to be healthy, begin eating taro leaves.
Also Read: Turmeric and Black Pepper Is Best Immunity Booster Combo
3. Balanced Diet
These leaves are so versatile that you can add these into any dish and you are good to go. The low fat, low calorie and high fiber formula are ideal for maintaining body weight. This means that you’d eat tasty food without getting fat! Also, these have high water content which is good for your body. This would help in keeping you full while eating less.
Side-Effects
There are no side-effects of consuming these leaves as such unless it is eaten raw. Raw leaves are toxic and this is why you must eat these only after cooking. Their poisonous property is due to oxalates in them. These are bad for kidney health and may cause stones. Therefore, always eat these leaves after cooking and enjoy their health benefits. Cook them for about 30 minutes as they get soften to remove the toxic compound.
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