My family has been free from illnesses, and I can trace that to cassava flour intake in our baking.
Mostly we are a baking family, and gluten in most flour types has not been a good thing for my family.
One of the most popular flour (wheat flour) has gluten, and it can cause illnesses on different levels.
Imagine not having your regular, easily available snacks due to health complications caused by gluten sensitivity or intolerance, and allergies.
Let’s see the various illness that we can avoid by taking gluten-free cassava flour
Gluten Intolerance: The main cause of illness
Gluten’s detrimental effects on the neurological system induce symptoms in both celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Cassava flour is gluten free and this is why it is of immense benefits to help you fight against illnesses.
Many celiac patients suffer neurological symptoms, which are usually related to autonomic nervous system dysfunction.
These neurological symptoms might appear in well-nourished celiac individuals.
The important issue is that gluten sensitivity can also be associated with neurological symptoms in people who do not have a mucosal gut injury (that is, without celiac disease).
Gluten can damage the nervous system by a mix of cross-reacting antibodies, complex immunological illness, and direct toxicity.
Hypotonia developmental delay, cerebellar ataxia, dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system, learning problems, depression, migraine, and headache are nervous system effects.
If you or your child is experiencing intolerance to gluten or wheat, three different medical conditions could explain what’s going on: celiac disease, wheat allergy, or non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS).
Illnesses caused by Gluten flours
Wheat, rye, and barley contain a gluten protein that triggers an immunological response in the body.
The immune reactions from consuming gluten cause inflammation in the intestines, leading to serious health problems. It also inhibits some nutrients from being absorbed (malabsorption).
Diarrhea is one of the most common symptoms of the mal-absorption disease. Bloating, wind, tiredness, low blood count (anemia), and osteoporosis are further symptoms.
As a staple of treatment, a strict gluten-free diet is recommended to help control symptoms and promote intestinal repair.
About 80% of the protein in bread wheat is gluten. Pasta has a lesser degree of gluten. Imitation meats, beer, soy sauce, and occasionally, ice cream and ketchup have gluten from the included stabilizing agents.
Thankfully there is Cassava, a versatile, flavorful food and an important source of nutrients and energy, particularly in the tropics. It contains carbohydrates, which are the main energy source for the body.
Find out below everything you may want to know about cassava
What Makes Cassava Flour a Healthy Flour
Cassava flour is a product from cassava, having gone through some processes, Here is how cassava flour is processed
Cassava flour contains resistant starch. Resistant starches are those that the body is unable to break down and use for energy. Instead, these carbohydrates either partially or completely pass through the digestive tract.
Resistant starch is not the same as fiber, although it has a comparable effect.
Although the molecular structure of fiber and resistant starch differs, their effects on the body are fairly similar. As a result, many people consider resistant starch to be a kind of fiber.
Resistant starch and fiber are both kinds of carbohydrates that the body bypasses during digestion.
Resistant starch functions similarly to fiber in the large intestine. It nourishes good bacteria and stimulates fermentation, which produces beneficial byproducts such as butyrate.
It also increases stool size and can aid in bowel movement speed. As a result, resistant starch may aid in the relief of constipation.
Resistant starches function in the same way as dietary fiber does. They make their way from the small intestines to the colon, where they begin to ferment.
When resistant starches enter the colon, they feed beneficial bacteria, which convert them into a variety of short-chain fatty acids.
Butyrate, an essential component of colon cells, is one of these fatty acids.
Butyrate lowers inflammatory levels in the colon. This can assist in preventing digestive problems such as ulcerative colitis and inflammatory colorectal cancer.
Nutritional Value of Cassava Flour that aids fighting illnesses
These basic nutrients found in cassava flour will give you a clear idea of its nutritional value and are necessary to check some common illnesses.
The illnesses related to gluten sensitivity from weight control, excess sugar, high fiber content, and calories for energy conversion for people under strict calorie consumption ass several health-related issues.
Carbs
Cassava has a high carbohydrate content, at 39 grams per 1/2 cup. Cassava has slightly under 2 grams of fiber and natural sugars per serving.
Starch accounts for the vast bulk of carbs. Keep in mind what we learned about resistant starch!
Cassava may contribute four times less digestible sugar and 16 times more fiber than wheat, giving it a lower glycemic index than other basic grains.
Fats
Cassava has low-fat content, with less than 1 gram per cup. Cassava’s fat content increases proportionally when cooked in oil or topped with butter.
Protein
Cassava has a low protein content, with less than 2 grams per 1/2-cup meal. Cassava leaves, on the other hand, are edible and an excellent source of protein.
Minerals and vitamins
Cassava has a lot of potassium and vitamin C. It also includes most B vitamins (except B12), vitamin A, magnesium, selenium, calcium, and iron.
See here to discover more about the health benefits of switching to cassava flour as your carbohydrate source.
Common Illnesses Cassava Flour Helps In The Prevention
Metabolic syndrome-related Illnesses
A metabolic syndrome is a collection of health markers that indicate an elevated risk of diabetes and heart disease. It is distinguished by, among other things, increased blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, and waist circumference.
Cassava is high in flavonoids and fiber, which help to prevent the development of metabolic syndrome and its consequences. This is especially true when cassava is used in place of wheat as a staple meal.
Wound Healing Takes Time
Cassava has many vitamin C. Cassava has 42.4 mg of vitamin C per cup, accounting for almost half of most individuals’ daily vitamin C requirements. Vitamin C is a necessary precursor of collagen, which is a structural component of skin tissues.
Getting adequate vitamin C from the diet helps the body’s capacity to heal itself, which is important because our bodies cannot generate vitamin C.
Binge Consumption
Consuming extra resistant starch may also aid with feeling full. In a 2017 study, researchers observed that eating 30 g of resistant starch per day for 6 weeks decreased the hormones that cause hunger in overweight healthy people.
Consuming more resistant starch raised the levels of chemicals that help people feel less hungry in the morning.
Including resistant starch in your diet may help you lose weight by increasing the amount of time you feel satiated after eating. This enhanced fullness may help to reduce needless snacking and calorie consumption.
Obesity
According to 2017 research, consuming resistant starch might make people feel fuller.
It discovered that consuming 30 g of resistant starch per day for 6 weeks decreased hunger hormones in healthy persons who were overweight.
If resistant starch is added to the diet increased the number of molecules in the body that make people feel less hungry in the morning.
As a result, a person may decide to include resistant starch in their diet to help them lose weight.
They can avoid snacking and decrease their daily calorie intake by enhancing their sensation of fullness after a meal and lengthening the duration during which they feel full.
Stress and Anxiety
In the opinion of some specialists, cassava flour helps maintain a healthy nervous system. In addition to reducing the effects of stress and anxiety, it positively impacts your overall well-being.
Muscle Weakness
If you’re health-conscious, cassava flour can help you build lean, powerful muscles.
Your muscles and tissues will be nourished as a result of the presence of protein in it. You will meet your daily requirements of protein of 2 grams with only one serving.
Blood Pressure Is High
As an added benefit, cassava flour has been shown to lower blood pressure significantly. This is due to its high dietary fiber content.
Every cup of cassava flour adds 4 grams of fiber to your diet. It substantially adds to the required fiber intake for women regularly.
Osteoporosis
Cassava flour can lower the risk of diseases like osteoporosis. This is due to important minerals such as copper and magnesium, which support a healthy lifestyle.
One cup of Cassava has just 206 grams of copper, which is around a quarter of your daily need.
Pregnancy complications
Pregnant ladies require an abundance of vitamin C and foliate. These two supplements are recommended from the start of the pregnancy.
These two are now abundant in cassava leaves. Cassava supplies 15% of your daily folate need and 47% of your daily calcium requirement in one cup.
Cassava leaves have a bland flavor, so cut them and boil them in a stew with meat and vegetables. In this manner, you’ll be able to produce a delicious dinner out of the nutritious leaf.
Kwashiorkor
Cassava leaves contain a high concentration of lysine protein. As a result, the leaves are ideal for combating protein-deficient diseases such as Kwashiorkor.
However, relying only on Cassava as a protein source might be hazardous if the leaves are not thoroughly prepared.
See how to process cassava flour DIY homemade
Cassava may contain cyanogenic glycosides, according to research. This can result in blindness and cyanide poisoning.
As a result, before eating, the tuber and leaves must be well cleaned and thoroughly cooked.
Immune Deficiency
Folate and vitamin C, both of which are plentiful in cassava leaves, is extremely beneficial to the body’s immune system.
Vitamin C boosts the immune system by targeting the nucleus of viruses and bacteria, thereby killing them.
It also ensures the bones remain healthy. It is also an excellent antioxidant, removing free radicals from the body. Cancer is known to be linked to free radicals.
Folate aids in the formation of cells in our bodies, assisting in the creation of genetic material for life and preventing DNA mutations.
Impaired cognitive function
Because cassava flour is rich in carbs, it helps in producing energy. Not only that but adding cassava flour to your meals can help your brain operate more effectively.
Every serving includes 80% carbs, which is more than enough for your daily needs.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatic disorders are illnesses that affect the muscles and joints. Examples include osteoporosis, arthritis, spondylitis, and lupus.
Cassava leaves contain a lot of magnesium. A magnesium-rich diet lowers blood pressure, which reduces the risk of rheumatic illnesses later in life.
Cassava has more than a third of your daily magnesium needs in just one dish.
Some lemongrass, some salt and 150 grams of cassava leaves, and 15 grams of ginger root are all you need to get started to produce an all-natural rheumatoid medicine.
You’ll need about 400cc of water, then cook these ingredients. This quantity should be consumed every morning to keep rheumatic illnesses at bay.
Poor Eyesight
Cassava is rich in Vitamin A that improves your eyes health and prevents blindness or poor eyesight in the future.
Headaches
Most of us suffer from headaches, which may be excruciating for some. Cassava, on the other hand, can help you treat it! All you need to do is soak 60 grams of cassava roots or leaves in water for a few hours.
Make fresh juice in a blender and consume it twice a day. And get rid of those agonizing headaches!
Final Thoughts
Cassava flour is a gluten-free substitute for wheat flour. As a result, persons with food allergies will eat without the worry of becoming unwell.
Cassava flour includes resistant starches, which have several health advantages and aid in the prevention of sickness. Improved digestive, colon and insulin sensitivity are just a few of the benefits.
People who consume more cassava flour in their diet appear to have a lower chance of getting diabetes.
Cassava flour’s resistant starch may also aid in weight loss.
