Lotus root, as the name implies, is the root of the lotus flower. Lotus root is rich in dietary fiber, vitamin C, potassium, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, phosphorus, copper, and manganese, while very low in saturated fat. Overall lotus root has benefits as antioxidant, increasing immunity, regulates blood pressure, preventing infections, stop bleeding and others. Read on to learn more about health benefits of lotus root.
1. Aids digestion
If you suffer from bad digestion or constipation, lotus roots should work well for you. Lotus roots contain high amount of dietary fibers, 100 g flesh provides 4.9 g or 13% of daily-requirement of fiber. The fiber, together with slow digesting complex carbohydrates in the root help reduce blood cholesterol, sugar, body weight and constipation conditions.
2. Regulates blood pressure
Potassium is a vasodilator, meaning that it relaxes blood vessels and by lessening the contraction and rigidity, it increases blood flow and reduces the strain on the cardiovascular system. The lotus root has optimal electrolyte balance. The sodium to potassium ratio is 1:4 which is good for countering negative effects of sodium and maintaining blood pressure.
3. Lotus root for women health
If you are women fighting with regular anemia, painful menstruation or heavy bleeding, drinking lotus root juice is good for you. Lotus roots nourish the blood, removes blood stasis and improves blood circulation. Therefore, Lotus root juice or soup is useful for blood building in women who are losing blood due to heavy menstruation. Drink of the juice or soup three days continuously after menstruation.
4. Stop Bleeding
Lotus contains large amounts of tannic acid, a systolic vascular effect, can be used to stop bleeding. Some ancient Chinese healing methods suggest that drinking 2 to 3 glasses of lotus root a day can stop bleeding for the esophagus, stomach, rectum, intestines, nose bleeds, gum bleeding, and even heavy menstruation.
5. Heart protection
Lotus root contains the B-complex vitamins such as vitamin B-6, niacin, pantothenic acid, folate, riboflavin, and thiamin. The vitamins controls the levels of homocysteine in the blood, which is directly connected to causing heart attacks! In addition, lotus root is one of the excellent sources of vitamin C. 100 g root provides 44 mg or 73% of daily-recommended values. Vitamin C can neutralize free radicals in the body, which are dangerous byproducts of cellular metabolism connected to causing conditions like cancer and heart disease!
6. Lotus root good for lung disorders
Lotus root juice is considered good for treating lung related disorders such as tuberculosis, asthma, cough and cold. Some believe that the lotus root actually cleanses the respiratory system by thinning mucus in the body, especially in the lungs.
Tips:
When preparing lotus root at home, just make sure to thoroughly wash and cook the root, cooking it in steam will destroy any parasite larvae.
Lotus root Nutrition facts:
| Amount Per 100 grams | |
|---|---|
| Calories 75 | |
|
% Daily Value*
|
|
| Total Fat 0.1 g |
0.5%
|
| Cholesterol 0 mg |
0%
|
| Sodium 40 mg |
3%
|
| Potassium 556 mg |
12%
|
| Total Carbohydrate 17.23 g |
13%
|
| Dietary fiber 4.9 g |
13%
|
| Protein 2.6 g |
5%
|
| Vitamin A |
0%
|
| Vitamin C 44 mg |
73%
|
| Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin) 0.22 mg |
17%
|
| Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine) 0.258 mg |
20%
|
| Vitamin B-5 0.377 mg |
7.5%
|
| Calcium 45 mg |
4.5%
|
| Iron 1.16 mg |
14%
|
| Zinc 0.39 mg |
3.5%
|
| Magnesium 23 mg |
6%
|
