Maybe Arrowroot is a Weapon…

Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea) is highly rich in starch, creeping rhizome belonging to the Marantaceae family plants. The plant is indigenous to the tropics of S. America, where it has a remarkable history of cultivation by native folks and is widely cultivated in the Philippines, Caribbean islands, and South America for its good, digestible edible starch-rich tubers. Arrowroot is grown primarily as a source of food starch which is present in cylindrical rhizomes. Some of the names are Arrow-root, Arrowroot, Maranta, St. Vincent Arrowroot, Bermuda Arrowroot, Obedience Plant, and West Indian Arrowroot. It is widely easily digested and has nutritious starch. The herb extract is gotten from the fleshy roots (rhizomes) of the plant through an elaborate method of peeling, washing, soaking, and drying under the sun. Indians medicinally used arrowroot. They believed that it draws out toxins in wounds made from infected/poisoned arrows. Arrowroot is well known for the large size of its stems. Unlike other root vegetables you may be conversant with, the region of the arrowroot plant that elongates above the ground can grow up to six feet tall. The wholesome root part of this plant is about 10 inches long and has the resemblance of a large potato.

You can either purchase arrowroot fresh or dried in the form of a powder. The dried type has an easily digestible starch that can be used as a replacement for cornstarch in baking. Arrowroot is always available in the late winter, fall, and early spring.

Nutrition Facts

Arrowroot is a great source of B vitamins, carbohydrates, and minerals like Potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium, and Phosphorus. It also has some amounts of zinc and Iron, alongside vitamin B1 (thiamine) and B6 (pyridoxine). Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids are as well found in it in insignificant amounts. Also, it contains fibers, some proteins, and lipids as well.

Eating 120 gram of arrowroots gives 406 µg of Vitamin B9, 0.319 mg of Vitamin B6, 2.66 mg of Iron, 118 mg of Phosphorus, 545 mg of Potassium, 0.172 mg of Vitamin B1, 0.209 mg of Manganese, 0.145 mg of Copper, 2.032 mg of Vitamin B3, 5.09 g of protein 16.07 g of Carbohydrate.

Health Benefits of Arrowroot

You have read enough about the prowess this amazing root crop possesses, now is the time to dish out the amazing health benefits one can reap from taking this amazing plant.

• Promote Healthy Sleep

Struggling with sleep insomnia? Ensure you meet your needed magnesium levels. And, arrowroot may help you attain that quite easily. Arrowroot is among the foods with a high magnesium level. As reported by the United States Department of Agriculture, serving 100 g of arrowroot contains about 25 mg of magnesium. As this mineral has direct connections with improving the quality, duration, and tranquility of sleep, including arrowroot in your diet is highly beneficial.

• Circulation Issues

Arrowroot consists of remarkable levels of Copper and Iron. These two vital minerals are essential parts of erythrocytes (red blood cells), which make arrowroot very suitable for preventing anemia, which is characterized by fatigue, weakness, and cognitive disorders. Besides, by increasing blood circulation, you encourage the oxygenation of your body’s systems and other extremities, which would boost your energy levels.

• Better Digestion

Dietary fiber is among the most important section of our digestive process, as it aids move food through the bowels in the best and efficient manner while also stimulating the utilization of nutrients. It can eradicate issues of diarrhea and constipation. Finally, this dietary fiber can help to wipe out excess cholesterol and promoting cardiovascular health. Arrowroot contains good amounts of dietary fiber and also helps with diarrhea.

• Diabetes-Friendly

Its low glycemic index and high concentration of Potassium are believed to help people with diabetes. As a result of this, researchers are on the lookout for the benefits of arrowroot flour as an ingredient in snacks for folks with diabetes.

• May Aid Weight Loss

Arrowroot powder comprises 32 percent resistant starch, which our body cannot digest. It then forms a viscous gel when mixed with water and behaves like soluble fiber in one’s gut.

Foods high in resistant starch and fiber slow your rate of digestion, gives you a long feeling of fullness. In turn, it may regulate your appetite and trigger weight loss.

In a study in 20 folks, those who took supplements having 1.5 ounces (48 grams) of resistant starch had a significantly lower calorie intake over the succeeding 24 hours compared with the control group.

Its protein content may aid feelings of satiation as well

• It Has No Gluten

Are you allergic to corn or gluten? Let me present you to my best friend – arrowroot! You could even use its flour as an alternate for wheat flour. Arrowroot is amazingly versatile in replacing corn starch and has good mixability with coconut flour, almond flour, or tapioca flour for cookie recipes and bread. Puddings, gravy, and sauces can also be solidified with arrowroot powder.

• Improved Heart Health

The significant potassium levels found in arrowroot mean that it can be a definite defensive line against heart-related problems. Potassium is a vasodilator, relaxing the tension in the blood arteries and vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure and lowering your risk of heart attacks, atherosclerosis, and strokes. Potassium is also well known as a cognitive enhancer that promotes the flow of oxygenated blood up to the brain.

• Boosts Immune Function

The extracts from arrowroot powder show cytotoxic actions that help in enhancing immunity. It means Maranta arundinacea extract boosts the production of immunologic cells.

An assessment of the immunostimulatory effect of arrowroot proved that those similar tuber extracts encouraged the immune systems of immune cells, both when tested in vivo (in a live animal) and in vitro (in test tubes), again proving the worth of arrowroot in boosting the immune system of the body.

• Treats Urinary Tract Infection

Women are more sensitive to urinary tract infections and are frequently recommended for hygiene and foods to help ward off future infection as well as calm swelling/inflammation. One such diet is arrowroot that provides effective home remedies for UTIs or bladder infections.

Arrowroot is a demulcent, which simply calms substance and relieves pain in irritated or inflamed mucous membranes. As it gets its name by serving as a treatment for poisoned arrow wounds, it’s therefore not a surprise that this plant relieves inflammation.

The antiseptic attribute of arrowroot helps treat Urinary Tract Infections and also prevents some future appearances, so doctors often prescribe common ingestion of it for ladies with frequent infections.

• Filled with B-vitamin Components

Arrowroot is a great source of B-vitamin complex elements such as riboflavin and niacin. Niacin is well known to increase a folk’s “good” cholesterol and lower the risk of heart problems. A deficit of niacin leads to Pellagra (a disease condition characterized by dementia, diarrhea, dermatitis, and insomnia.

• Metabolic Processes

A high concentration of B vitamins in arrowroot makes it a vital metabolic and enzymatic substance. These B-vitamins are very vital in regulating metabolic processes all through your body, from hormonal discharge to circadian rhythms, suggesting that you never want to be deficient in that aspect!

• Safe for Infants

The mild flavor and starchy content of arrowroot make it very safe in baby foods such as teething cookies for babies. It poses a lesser to no risk of allergies and is, of course, a gum-soothing food.

A particular member of the B vitamin family is folate, which is found in high amounts within arrowroot. Several studies have shown that folate is vital for expecting mothers, as it helps to prevent any neural tube defects in their yet-to-born child. Folate is also a vital factor in DNA production and healthy cell division, thus promoting healthy growth and rapid healing.

Precautions

Arrowroot is just not considered dangerous whenever it is used in suggested dosages. However, it is very necessary to keep in mind that the long-term effects of using the herb have not been thoroughly researched. Because of the inadequate scientific research, arrowroot should be supplemented with caution in kids, expecting ladies or even breast-feeding mothers, and individuals living with kidney or liver disease. Individuals who vomit or have severe diarrhea might be susceptible to dehydration. They should get plenty of fluids (up to eight glasses daily) to maintain an appropriate fluid balance. You should contact your doctor if diarrhea or vomiting lasts beyond 3 days or is linked with various other signs like fever or pain.