Everyday Magical Things ~ Tapioca

Tapioca is known usually as being a yummy pudding-like mixture, but did you know it is actually a gluten-free starch extract from the Cassava plant?

The root of the plant is a useful part, which is where the tapioca starch is acquired. This sweet-tasting flesh should only be consumed after proper cooking. If not prepared correctly, it can be highly poisonous. They are a great source of iron and are naturally low in sodium.

Tapioca has many wonderful benefits including Healthy weight gain, Increased Circulation, Increased red blood cell count, Improved digestion, Protects against birth defects, Lowers cholesterol, Prevent diabetes, Improves metabolic activities, Protects bone mineral density, Prevents Alzheimer’s disease, Protects heart health, and maintains fluid balance within the body.

This is because of a unique composition of carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and organic compounds. These include a very low level of saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium.

It is also a rich source of dietary fiber, the “good” kind of cholesterol, and protein.

Further, it contains members of the vitamin B-complex, including pantothenic acid, folate, and B6, as well as iron, manganese, calcium, copper, and selenium. It’s also been able to help with birth defects in children, possibly.

Because it contains a significant amount of B-complex vitamins, including folic acid, it has been linked to reducing the chances of neural tube defects in infants.

It’s also great for bone health as it’s rich in vitamin K, calcium, and iron. This helps with our teeth' health as well.
Today, Tapioca is cultivated and enjoyed around the world. There are many different recipes that can be added to, one of the most popular being bubble tea. Tapioca balls are added to the bottom of this fun drink, which adds a squishy and surprising element to it. Try it out sometime if you haven’t already! It might just become one of your new favorite drinks.

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3078018/

http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/going-gluten-free-just-because-heres-what-you-need-to-know-201302205916

https://authoritynutrition.com/tapioca/

http://amzn.to/2sVb1tb