Top five reasons why you should eat Taro root (Arbi)

Zee Media Bureau/Salome Phelamei

Have you ever eaten this delicious food – Taro root, also known as arbi in Hindi? If not, you should start including this nutty vegetable into your diet to enjoy the rich nutrients of this wonderful gift of nature.

The leaves, roots, and corms of taro can be used as dietary ingredients, but the plant must be cooked before consuming. The scientific name for Taro is Colocasia esculenta.

Colocasia esculenta, believed to be native to Southern India and Southeast Asia, usually grows wild in wet or dry places. This vegetable is also easy to digest and has many healing properties.

Taro is also loaded with potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, manganese and copper. Taro also includes several calcium, vitamin C, vitamin E and B vitamins. Taro root contains a good amount of dietary fiber and carbohydrates, as well as vitamins A and C.

Here are some benefits of this delicious root vegetable:

Blood pressure and heart health: Taro root is low in sodium content and fat, but contains minerals like potassium and magnesium which help in fluid retention. It also helps to relieve stress and pressure on blood vessels and arteries.

Cancer: Taro root is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and other phenolic antioxidants, which help in the elimination of free radicals that cause several cancers in the body.

Diabetes: Dietary fiber found in taro root lowers the risk of developing diabetes as it helps in regulating the glucose and insulin in the body. Taro root is also a great alternative for diabetics due to its low glycaemic index.

Weight loss: Since taro root has a low caloric content, it can be very beneficail for the ones who want to lose weight.

Skin health: Taro root conatins vitamins A and E, which are a secret for a healthier skin. These vitamins help in healing wounds and blemishes faster, boost overall cellular health thereby giving a healthy radiant glow to the skin.