Jicama has many health benefits such as weight loss, digestion, play a role in enhancing the immune system, prevent the kinds of cancers. Besides that, jicama also adds energy, overcoming the problem of diabetes, strengthens bones, blood flow, prevents high blood pressure, and beneficial to improve the brain.
Jicama is a tuber vegetable plant that is native to Central and South America. Jicama has been used for thousands of years as a food that is beneficial to health. Some other names are Mexican yam, or Mexican turnip, the scientific name, the plant is categorized in Pachyrhizus erosus.
The roots of a jicama plant can grow up to 2 meters and weigh up to 20 kg. This plant is usually cultivated in warm weather in Mexico and surrounding areas. Besides America, the jicama crop is also grown in the Philippines, China, and other parts of Southeast Asia. However, the jicama is not included in the traditional dishes there.
Nutritional Value of Jicama
The very impressive jicama health benefits for humans is obtained from the combination of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrient and other organic compounds such as fiber, vitamin C, iron, vitamin E, folate, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, potassium, magnesium, manganese, copper, and protein in small amounts. In that, let’s we see how the jicama health benefits so very widely cultivated.
The Jicama Health Benefits
1. Digestion
One important content in the jicama is an excellent dietary fiber that can help smooth digestion thus reducing constipation problems.
Not only that, but yam or jicama also includes rich in soluble fiber called oligofructose inulin, and carbohydrate that does not contain sugar. So jicama is an alternative sweet food for diabetics because it will not increase the blood sugar levels.
2. Boost immunity
The jicama health benefits for enhancing immune can not be separated from the content of vitamin C that is very abundant. In 100 grams of jicama contains about 40% of the daily requirement of ascorbic acid. Vitamin C is the most important part related to immunity because vitamin C stimulates the increase of white blood cells that are useful in casting and fighting disease.
The presence of vitamin C also minimizes the effects of free radicals that can trigger a variety of tissue damage, especially skin tissue. Not only that but free radicals can cause heart disease and cancer.
Also check out: Kefir health benefits and nutritional value
3. Keeping blood circulation
Jicama contains much iron and copper that its presence is very helpful in blood circulation. These are two essential elements in red blood cells.
Without adequate copper and iron then someone will lack red blood so that it can stop activities in various organs.
4. Blood pressure
Jicama health benefits for blood pressure. Jicama tubers are rich in potassium that is beneficial in stabilizing blood pressure.
The Jicama also can reduce the strain on the blood vessels and arteries thereby reducing stress on the cardiovascular system
5. Improve brain function
Jicama is also a source of vitamin B6. This vitamin is one of the causes of sharpness in memory and cognition, and jicama contains vitamin B6 in large numbers.
6. Strengthen bones
Minerals existing in jicamas such as manganese, magnesium, iron, and copper known to be useful in improving bone health and promote bone density.
This metal is magnificent in helping to build bone and bone damage such as brokenbones, and includes how to prevent the occurrence of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder suffered by millions of people worldwide.
In addition to jicama health benefits such as the above, this root vegetable is also excellent in weight loss because they contain lots of fiber and fewer calories. Jicama contains only 35 cals in 100 grams. This is great for you who want to lose weight in addition to adding nutrients to the body.
Thus, some of jicama health benefits, the consumption of this plant is a tuber (root) while other parts of the jicama plant are toxic and should be avoided.
