Taro Leaves  Nutrition, Benefits

Taro leaves are the heart-shaped leaves of the taro plant (Colocasia esculenta), regularly developed in subtropical and tropical locales.

While generally known for its palatable, starchy root, the leaves of the taro plant also fill in as a staple nourishment in various cooking styles.

While expending cooked taro leaves may offer some health benefits, it's important to take note of that the raw leaves are toxic before cooking.

This article surveys the sustenance, advantages, and normal employments of taro leaves.

With a low calorie and high fiber content, taro leaves fill in as a nutritious supplement to an even eating regimen.

A 1-cup (145-gram) serving of cooked taro leaves gives

• Calories: 35
• Carbs: 6 grams
• Protein: 4 grams
• Fat: less than 1 gram
• Fiber: 3 grams
• Vitamin C: 57% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Vitamin A: 34% of the DV
• Potassium: 14% of the DV
• Folate: 17% of the DV
• Calcium: 13% of the DV
• Iron: 10% of the DV
• Magnesium: 7% of the DV
• Phosphorus: 6% of the DV

Taro Leaves health benefits and nutrition facts

Taro leaves are heart shaped and is medium to large in size measuring 40 centimeters long and 20 centimeters in width. Leaves are smooth and dark green on the surface or light green on underside. Leaves underside have veins which are found from central stem. The two stems and veins have purple to red tone and often assorted. Taro plants are notable for its starchy, underground and darker tubers. The leaves are delicate with gentle and nutty flavor when cooked and have a slightly metallic and iron taste.

Leaves are cooked before consumption and are bubbled, sautéed, seared and steamed. Taro leaves are a vital fixing in Hawaiian dish known as lau consisting of wrapping chicken, salted butterfish and pork in the leaves and steamed in underground stove.

Health Advantages of Taro leaves

Digestive health

Cooked leaves are easily edible. With high content of dietary fiber, it is useful to maintain digestive framework. Fiber adds mass to the stools and normalizes defecations. It also prevents digestive issues such as constipation and irritable inside disorder. Other than this, fiber lowers the chances of colon cancer.

Vision health

Taro leaves have ample amounts of Vitamin An essential for the substantial functions even eyes. It enhance eye health, maintains vision acuity and prevent various eye disorders such as visual impairment, myopia and cataract.

Prevent cancer

Regular intake of cooked taro helps to ward off diseases such as cancer. It is because of the nearness of Vitamin C, an amazing antioxidant that prevents common ailments such as hack, cold and cancers. This vitamin is required for the development of connective tissues such as tendons, ligaments and cartilage. It enhances overall insusceptibility level of the body; assist in synthesis of neurotransmitters, hormones and speeds up the healing process.

Maintain cholesterol balance

Taro leaves have 0% cholesterol and total fat contributes 1%. Individuals encountering high cholesterol levels may think that its beneficial in lowering cholesterol naturally. Moreover, it has dietary fiber and methionine that helps to lower cholesterol productively by breaking down triglycerides. The eating routine based on taro leaves is the most ideal way to remain healthy.

Healthy heart

Taro leaves has low saturated fat making it a heart healthy nourishment. Fiber halts accretion of cholesterol and fat in bloodstreams and potassium helps to maintain normal pulse. It diminishes the degrees of homocysteine in blood and prevents the heart ailments and stroke. Also it maintains pulse leveled out. It lowers homocysteine levels within blood for preventing strokes and heart issues
Fetus health

Folate is a crucial vitamin for women at the time of pregnancy. Taro leaves are packed with this vitamin. Folate is required for healthy development of fetus. It prevents birth imperfections such as neural tube defects. Other than this, folate is imperative for DNA synthesis and assists with forestalling rectal cancer and colon cancer.

Protect cells

Taro leaves has ample amounts of carotenoid and phenolic mixes appeared to display antioxidant properties. These chemical mixes assist body to combat free radicals and forestall further damage as well as oxidative pressure.

Prevention of anemia

The minerals such as iron have a job in formation of RBCs and transports oxygen to various parts of the body. Anemic patients ought to expend taro on regular basis to meet iron necessity. This also avoids weakness, fatigue and tiredness.

Lowers wrinkle appearance

Taro has high content of amino acid known as threonine which bolsters formation of collagen and elastin which are crucial for healthy skin. Regular intake of vegetable lowers the indications of aging such as wrinkles and also rejuvenates skin.

Electrolyte balance

Potassium is a crucial mineral for legitimate working of the body. It absorbs and break down carbohydrates, builds muscles, maintain acid-base balance and also promote the normal development of the body. Furthermore, potassium is crucial to sustain the body's liquid as well as electrolyte balance. Taro leaves have high content of potassium so its daily intake offers adequate amounts of potassium.

Culinary uses

Spread with spiced chickpea paste, cut, moved, steamed and pan fried. Then stew it in red bean stew, coconut, coriander, tamarind and garlic.

Use it as an accompaniment to curries and dishes which contains coconut milk.

It pairs well with ginger, garlic, onion and meats such as chicken, fish, beef, pork, coconut milk, dried shrimp, chickpeas, sweet potato and tomatoes.