Cassava And Diabetes: Is Cassava Good For Diabetics

Cassava is a primary food in tropical and subtropical countries throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Unfortunately, cassava has harmful toxins if not adequately prepared, which might raise your chance of getting diabetes. However, cassava may be a preferable option for people with diabetes than some other starches because of its low glycemic index.

Glycemic Index

The glycemic index is a rating system that may assist diabetic patients in predicting how different meals will impact their blood sugar levels. For example, the glycemic index of cassava is 46, which indicates that it has a low risk of causing blood sugar levels to spike rapidly. 

However, if you have diabetes, cassava may be a better alternative to white potatoes, with an exceptionally high glycemic index of 85.

This root crop is grown mainly for its starchy storage roots but can also be eaten as a leafy vegetable. The roots contain up to 25 percent starch by dry weight and are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antinutrients. 

The leaf is a good source of protein and is eaten either fresh or fermented for several days to make a sour porridge, which can be preserved for two weeks at 20°C in a traditional curing process.

People with type 2 diabetes have hyperglycemia, which means their body does not properly use glucose or Insulin to maintain normal blood glucose (sugar) levels. As a result, foods high in starch raise sugar levels more than foods with a low glycemic index.

If diabetes has not been diagnosed, pregnant women should avoid eating large amounts of cassava because the food can lead to insulin resistance. This insulin resistance can carry over into later life and increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

However, if you have type 2 diabetes, cassava could help regulate your blood sugar levels because it has a low glycemic index compared to other foods made from starches. This means it does not cause rapid rises in blood sugar after meals.

One study found that cassava had no adverse effects on blood sugar levels, lipid profile, or inflammation markers in rats fed a high-fat diet. Thus, researchers concluded that cassava’s low glycemic index might be helpful for people with type 2 diabetes.

However, this finding does not mean you should consume large amounts of cassava if you have diabetes. Cassava contains antinutrients, which interfere with the absorption of some nutrients and can cause serious side effects.

The mucilage content is higher than in unprocessed cassava roots but lower than raw sweet potato or taro leaves. The literature indicates that preparations such as fermentation, roasting, and cooking may reduce the number of antinutrients in cassava. 

However, it would help if you did not eat more cassava than your dietary guidelines recommend because it is high in carbohydrates.

Benefits of Cassava For Diabetes

Cassava, a starchy rhizome also known as manioc or yucca, has a good source of vitamin C, dietary fiber, and manganese. In addition, it contains some protein and small amounts of Calcium and phosphorus.

A 100-gram serving of boiled cassava root contains:

Calorie content: 112 calories

Carbohydrate content: 27 grams

Fiber content: 1 gram

Thiamine: 20% of the RDI

Phosphorus: 5% of the RDI

Calcium: 2% of the RDI

Riboflavin: 2% of the RDI

Rich in Minerals

Cassava is high in minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, manganese, iron, and potassium. These nutrients are required for your body’s tissues to develop appropriately, flourish, and function effectively. For example, calcium is necessary for strong bones and teeth, iron aids in the formation of two proteins: hemoglobin and myoglobin, which transport oxygen to your body tissues, and manganese contributes to the formation of bones, connective tissue, and sex hormones. 

In addition, potassium is required for the synthesis of proteins as well as the breakdown of carbohydrates.

People living with diabetes should maintain a healthy diet and get regular exercise. The body needs vital minerals: calcium, phosphorus, manganese, iron, and potassium to metabolize food into energy. These nutrients are essential for keeping blood sugar levels within normal range after meals or during fasting periods. 

Calcium inhibits the development of glycemia and insulin resistance over time. In addition, phosphorus aids in the body’s storage and use of energy, as Insulin reduces phosphorus levels in the body, making cassava an excellent source to replenish phosphorus.

Manganese has been found to assist in controlling blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. In addition, because the body’s methods for regulating high and low blood sugar levels are pretty similar, it may also help with hypoglycemia.

Because diabetes reduces the absorption of iron, it can lead to anemia. As a result, maintaining HbA1c levels is easier for diabetic people who get enough iron. In addition, potassium aids in the proper release of Insulin in persons with diabetes, thus ensuring that blood sugar levels are maintained.

Rich in Fiber

Cassava is a good source of dietary fiber, which can assist with constipation. Fiber also aids in weight reduction by promoting long-term satiety. It may also help in lowering your undesirable cholesterol levels, which reduces the chance of heart disease. 

In addition, eating fiber-rich cassava can help you reduce your blood sugar levels if you have diabetes. This is because fiber delays sugar absorption into circulation. A healthy diet that includes insoluble fiber may also help to prevent type 2 diabetes. People on a high-fiber diet have lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.

Rich in Carbohydrates

Cassava has 38 grams of carbohydrates in each 100-gram slice. This makes it an excellent energy source for people who do intense exercise daily. During training, muscular damage as a result of lactic acid can be prevented by eating carbohydrates. 

Carbohydrates, in general, deplete the glycogen, which is the form in which glucose is stored in muscles. When you consume cassava, it converts the carbs to glucose inside your body, is transformed into glycogen, and stored in your muscles.

Cassava is high in resistant starch, a form of starch that goes through the stomach without being digested and has characteristics similar to soluble fiber. Resistant starch has also been researched for its potential to benefit metabolic health and decrease the chance of obesity and type 2 diabetes. This is due to its ability to enhance blood sugar management and encourage fullness and reduce hunger.

Gluten-Free

Cassava flour is gluten-free, making it a good alternative for rye, oats, barley, and wheat. Celiac disease and other gluten-related allergies can be treated by eating meals prepared with tapioca or cassava flour. On the other hand, gluten is required for cakes, bread, and other dishes to expand. Therefore, they may be replaced with guar and xanthan gum.

Adiposity, inflammation, and insulin resistance can all be reduced on a gluten-free diet. According to a tiny piece of research, a gluten-free diet may help children with type 1 diabetes. 

After 12 months on a gluten-free diet, children who had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes showed an improvement in glycated hemoglobin (hemoglobin A1c) levels, which are indicators of diabetes control. 

However, more research is required to confirm this. According to certain researchers, a gluten-free diet lowers the incidence of obesity and type 2 diabetes. However, there is little evidence to support this, and further study is required.

Rich in Saponins

Saponins, which are present in cassava, can help reduce bad cholesterol levels in your circulation. They bind to bile acids and cholesterol to prevent them from being absorbed through the small intestine. In addition, saponins’ antioxidant properties may help your cells resist damage from free radicals. Scientists at Tianjin University discovered that saponins could also assist in preventing cancer in a study.

Saponin decreases blood glucose levels by inhibiting enzymes that break down disaccharides into monosaccharides, thus lowering blood sugar levels. This benefit is significant for both Type I and II diabetic individuals, as it helps to prevent high blood sugar levels after eating.

FAQs

1. Is cassava good for diabetics?

Yes, the rich source of manganese in cassava helps in normalizing blood sugar levels to prevent diabetes.

2. What is tapioca starch made from?

Cassava root, which has a high carbohydrate content made into tapioca starch, is used in many dishes.

3. Is tapioca starch gluten-free?

Cassava root or tapioca root is gluten-free, making it a good alternative for rye, oats, barley, and wheat.

4. Why is tapioca starch good?

Tapioca root or cassava root is healthy since it contains vitamin C, dietary fiber, and manganese, beneficial to your health. In addition, cassava root is rich in carbohydrates that provide your body with energy. It can be used as an alternative for people who have celiac disease or gluten allergies.

5. How many calories are in cassava?

There are approximately 120 to 150 calories in 100-grams of cassava root, making it a healthy food choice.

6. Does cassava flour spike blood sugar?

Cassava flour contains high carbohydrate content, which increases blood sugar levels if not controlled.

7. How much potassium is in cassava?

One serving of cassava root provides over 500 mg of potassium that helps regulate the body’s fluids and mineral balance for normal heart rate and muscle function.

8. Is cassava good for diabetes 2?

Cassava root is beneficial to people with diabetes since it helps control blood sugar levels and reduces bad cholesterol levels.

9. How is cassava flour used?

Tapioca starch or cassava flour can make bread, pizza dough, cakes, cookies, and noodles. 

Conclusion

Cassava is very nutritious and can be used in cooking. It is rich in carbohydrates and fiber and has a low glycemic index (GI), ideal for diabetes. 

It also contains manganese, vitamin C, dietary fiber, potassium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, protein, and other essential nutrients that help your body function normally. You can also use it as an alternative for people with celiac disease or gluten allergies.

The amount of carbohydrates in cassava varies depending on how you prepare the food. It is suitable for people who have diabetes since it helps control blood sugar levels and reduces bad cholesterol levels.