Cassava is a root vegetable widely consumed in many countries around the globe.
It provides many important nutrients, including resistant starch, which may have health benefits.
Nevertheless, as with all foods, you should be mindful to consume it in moderation. This is especially true considering that it’s fairly high in calories and contains potentially harmful chemicals.
This article explores the unique properties of cassava to determine whether it’s healthy and safe to include in your diet.
In this article
What is cassava?
Cassava is a nutty-flavored, starchy root vegetable or tuber. Native to South America, it’s a major source of calories and carbs for people in many countries. Nigeria, Thailand, and Indonesia are the top cassava-producing countries in the world.
It’s grown in tropical regions around the world because of its ability to withstand difficult growing conditions. It’s one of the most drought-tolerant crops.
Although both sweet and bitter varieties of cassava are available, sweet cassava is more common in the United States, where it’s often referred to as yuca, manioc, or Brazilian arrowroot.
The most commonly consumed part of the cassava plant is the root, which is incredibly versatile. You can eat it whole, grate it, or grind it into flour to use it in bread and crackers.
Cassava root is also used to produce tapioca, a type of starch, as well as garri, a product similar to tapioca.
Individuals with food allergies can benefit from using cassava root in cooking and baking because it’s free of gluten, grains, and nuts.
It’s important to note is that you must cook cassava root before eating it, as it can be poisonous if consumed raw.
Summary: Cassava is a versatile root vegetable that’s widely consumed in several parts of the world. It’s also what tapioca starch is made from. You must cook it before eating it, as the raw form can be poisonous.
Cassava nutrients
A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of cooked cassava root contains 191 calories. Around 84% of them come from carbs, while the rest come from protein and fat.
One serving also provides some fiber and a few vitamins and minerals.
The following nutrients are found in 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of cooked cassava:
- Calories: 191
- Protein: 1.5 grams
- Fat: 3 grams
- Carbs: 40 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Vitamin C: 20% of the daily value
- Copper: 12% of the daily value
- Thiamine: 7% of the daily value
- Folate: 6% of the daily value
- Vitamin B6: 6% of the daily value
- Potassium: 6% of the daily value
- Magnesium: 5% of the daily value
- Niacin: 5% of the daily value
Cassava root is particularly high in vitamin C, an important vitamin that acts as an antioxidant supports collagen production, and enhances immunity, among other benefits.
Plus, it’s rich in copper, a mineral necessary for neurotransmitter synthesis, energy production, iron metabolism, and more.
Summary: Cassava is a significant source of carbs. It also provides a little fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Potential health benefits of cassava
Cassava may offer several potential health benefits.
Cassava contains resistant starch
Cassava is high in resistant starch, a type of starch that bypasses digestion and has properties similar to those of soluble fiber.
Eating foods that are high in resistant starch may benefit your health in several ways.
First, resistant starch feeds the beneficial bacteria in your gut and may help reduce inflammation and promote digestive health.
Second, resistant starch has been studied for its ability to improve metabolic health and reduce the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. These benefits are likely related to improved blood sugar management, increased feelings of fullness, and reduced appetite.
Suggested read: The 14 best gluten-free flours
It’s worth noting that processed cassava products like tapioca tend to contain less resistant starch than cooked cassava root. Interestingly, cooling cooked cassava root may further increase its content of resistant starch.
Cassava is a good source of vitamin C
Cassava contains a hearty dose of vitamin C, with 20% of the daily value in each 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving.
Vitamin C plays a key role in many aspects of health, including immunity.
Research shows that vitamin C can help protect against oxidative stress and support the function of immune cells in your body.
Vitamin C also protects against skin damage and stimulates the production of collagen, a type of protein found throughout your body in your bones, skin, muscles, and joints.
Summary: Cassava is a good source of resistant starch, which supports gut health and blood sugar management. It also contains vitamin C, a key micronutrient that can enhance immune function and collagen production.
Potential downsides of cassava
Although there are some benefits of adding cassava to your diet, there are also downsides to consider.
Cassava is high in calories
Cassava contains 191 calories per 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving, which is high compared with other root vegetables.
For comparison, the same serving size of sweet potatoes has 90 calories, while the same amount of carrots has 35 calories.
Its high calorie content is what makes it such an important staple crop in many countries.
However, keep in mind that consuming more calories than you burn can contribute to weight gain over time.
For this reason, it’s best to enjoy cassava in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Generally, try sticking to around 1/3–1/2 cup (73–113 grams) per serving.
Cassava can be harmful if consumed raw
Cassava may be dangerous if consumed raw, in large amounts, or if prepared improperly.
Suggested read: Cornstarch substitutes: 11 effective alternatives
Raw cassava contains chemicals called cyanogenic glycosides. If eaten, these can release cyanide into your body.
Regularly consuming cyanogenic glycosides or eating them in high amounts increases the risk of cyanide poisoning. Cyanide poisoning is associated with impaired thyroid and nerve function, paralysis, organ damage, and even death.
Because protein helps rid the body of cyanide, those who have an overall poor nutrition status and low protein intake are more likely to experience these effects.
Soaking and cooking cassava decreases the content of these harmful chemicals. Plus, pairing the root vegetable with a well-rounded diet that’s high in protein may reduce your risk of adverse health outcomes.
Processed versions of cassava may be lower in nutrients
Processing cassava by peeling, chopping, and cooking it significantly reduces its content of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and resistant starch. Still, cooking the root before consumption is necessary to avoid side effects.
Some older studies have found that boiling cassava root retains more nutrients, compared with other cooking methods like roasting or frying. The exception is vitamin C, which is sensitive to heat and easily leaches into the water.
Furthermore, it’s worth noting that some popular, processed forms of cassava, including tapioca and garri, have limited nutritional value.
For example, tapioca pearls, like those often used in bubble tea, are high in calories but lack fiber and other important micronutrients.
Therefore, it’s best to stick to less processed varieties of cassava whenever possible and opt for boiled dishes to maximize the nutritional value.
Summary: Cassava is relatively high in calories and must be prepared before eating to avoid adverse health effects. Some highly processed varieties like tapioca are low in important micronutrients but high in calories.
How to prepare cassava
Cassava is generally considered safe when prepared properly and enjoyed in moderation.
While cases of cyanide poisoning associated with this root are rare, it’s still important to cook it properly to prevent adverse side effects.
Here are some ways you can make cassava safe to eat:
- Peel it. The peel of cassava root contains most of its cyanide-producing compounds, so it’s a good idea to discard it before cooking and eating the vegetable.
- Soak it. Soaking cassava by submerging it in water for 48–60 hours before cooking may reduce its content of harmful chemicals.
- Cook it. Since harmful chemicals are found in raw cassava, it’s essential to cook it thoroughly before eating, for example by boiling, roasting, or baking it.
- Pair it with protein. Eating protein along with cassava may be beneficial, as this macronutrient helps rid your body of toxic cyanide.
- Maintain a balanced diet. You can prevent adverse effects from cassava by including a variety of foods in your diet rather than relying on it as your main source of nutrition.
There are many ways to incorporate cassava into your diet.
Suggested read: 11 proven health benefits of quinoa
For example, you can use it to make snacks and side dishes. It’s commonly sliced and then baked or roasted, similarly to how you’d prepare potatoes.
Additionally, you can mash it or add it to stir-fries, omelets, and soups. It’s also sometimes ground into flour and used in grain-free bread, crackers, tortillas, and pancakes.
Plus, you can enjoy it in the form of tapioca, the starch extracted from the root through a process of washing and pulping. Tapioca is commonly used as a thickener for puddings, pies, and soups.
Other popular dishes that feature cassava include:
- Cassava cake: a Filipino dessert made with grated cassava root
- Farofa: a Brazilian side dish that uses toasted cassava flour
- Fufu: a dough-like food eaten in many African countries, made from fermented and puréed cassava
- Tapai: a fermented food often enjoyed in Southeast Asia, prepared from cassava, rice, or other starches
- Kabkab: a traditional Filipino wafer made from ground cassava
Note that products made from the root, such as cassava flour and tapioca, contain little to no cyanide-inducing compounds and are safe to eat.
Summary: Cassava is typically used similarly to how you’d use potatoes and makes an excellent addition to many dishes. It can also be ground into flour or used as tapioca starch.
Summary
Cassava is a type of root vegetable. It’s considered a staple food in many countries thanks to its unique ability to withstand difficult growing conditions and relatively high calorie density.
In addition to being versatile, it’s a good source of resistant starch and vitamin C.
However, it requires proper preparation to avoid adverse health effects. Particularly, avoid eating it raw. It’s also worth noting that processed varieties like tapioca may be lower in important micronutrients.
Still, cassava root makes a great addition to stir-fries, soups, baked goods, and desserts and is frequently featured in traditional dishes around the globe.
Quick tip
You can easily swap other root vegetables for cassava in your favorite recipes to add some diversity to your diet. For a tasty side dish, try making mashed yuca, cassava chips, or yuca fries.
