Taro root can be a great addition to a meal to make it heartier and healthier. Taro root is often substituted for a potato in many recipes, at it is also a starchy vegetable. According to Food Reference, taro roots are tubers that are actually toxic when they are raw and take on a "nut-like flavor when cooked." There are multiple nutritional benefits to the taro root, including the caloric content and the fiber content. Before adding tarot root to your favorite meal, you should understand the nutritional facts.
Serving and Calories
This guide focuses on the numbers provided by the USDA for one cup of sliced taro. This is taro that has been cooked and has not had any salt added. This is 132 g of taro. One serving has 187 calories. The majority of the calories in this serving come from the carbohydrates in the food, with 184 of the calories coming from these carbohydrates.
Dietary Fiber and Fat
Like many vegetables, taro root is great for those who are trying to watch their fat intake. One serving of taro root has only .1 g of fat per serving. This fails to even register as a single percentage of your daily amount of fat.
Taro is high in beneficial nutrients, such as dietary fiber. One serving has 7 g of dietary fiber. This is 27 percent of your daily recommended amount of dietary fiber. Dietary fiber is important for two main reasons. Dietary fiber is great for the digestive system, as it helps to speed up the process and make the system regular. It can also help to lower cholesterol.
Cholesterol and Sodium
Those who are worried about high cholesterol and high sodium should look to add taro to their diet. They can avoid a high risk of heart issues and a risk of high blood pressure because of the lack of cholesterol and sodium in the food. One serving has 0 mg of cholesterol. This same serving only has 20 mg of sodium. This is only 1 percent of your daily value of sodium. Many will add sodium to the food, however, when they add salt to the tubers.
Vitamins
Taro is high in a few vitamins that are important for the body. One serving has 11 percent of your daily value of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is important for multiple bodily systems and functions. While it cannot fight colds, Vitamin C will help to keep your immune system healthy and functioning properly. One cup of taro also has 19 percent of your daily amount of Vitamin E and 22 percent of amount of Vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 is important for the immune system as well, whereas Vitamin E can help to reduce your risk of a heart attack (according to NutritionData).
Minerals
Taro has a lot to offer as far as minerals are concerned. One serving has 10 percent of your daily value of magnesium and phosphorus, while also offering 13 percent of your daily value of copper. Taro is an excellent source of potassium and manganese, with 18 percent of your daily value of potassium and 30 percent of your daily value of manganese. Potassium is important for the regulation of your heart functions and your blood pressure, while allowing your muscles to work as they should. Manganese is important for the "metabolism of proteins and fat" while helping out the immune system (according to NutritionData).
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