Lotus root grew as annual root vegetable crop in the customized ponds. Although it can be raised from seeds, commercially; its rhizomes with meristems chosen for plantation, considering that it takes general fewer days for crop production. Rhizome development typically accompanies the look of big drifting leaves on the surface of the water.
Lotus root has a vast array of health advantages owing to its rich nutritional structure. The advantages include its ability to improve food digestion, lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, reduce cholesterol, prevent numerous kinds of cancer, balance mood and ease depression, increase the blood flow, and preserve correct enzymatic activity in the body.
Can You Eat Lotus Root Raw?
What is lotus root? Lotus root, as the name indicates, is the root of the lotus flower, which is an aquatic plant. Nevertheless, it is also a stunningly lovely flower that embeds its roots in the bottom of the lake, stream, river, and so on while the pad and the emerging flower float on top of the water. They are marine perennials, and the seeds can sprout long after falling inactive.
The lotus root is a long, woody item that attaches to the bottom of the pad and can extend as much as 4 feet. It can be washed, sliced, and after that prepared.
It is often used as a vegetable in Asian foods within soups, or it can be deep-fried, stir-fried, braised, or prepared in other fascinating methods. It is likewise used in the natural or powdered kind in conventional herbal medicine.
It is typically marinaded as treats and is included in dishes with prawns, or as salad toppings because of the tasty and a little sweet taste, particularly after being marinaded. It has the texture of a potato and tastes a little like coconuts prior to any additional flavoring is included.
Lotus Root Nutrition Facts
| Lotus root, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt | |
| Nutrition Facts | |
| Serving Size | 1.0 cup |
| Calories | 39.6 |
| Calories from Fat | 0.4 |
| Total Fat | 0.04g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.01g |
| Trans Fat | – |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 27mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 9.61g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.86g |
| Total Sugars | 0.3g |
| Protein | 0.95g |
| Water | 48.85g |
| Vitamins | |
| Vitamin A | 0IU |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.13mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0mcg |
| Vitamin C | 16.44mg |
| Vitamin D | 0IU |
| Vitamin E | 0.01mg |
| Vitamin K | 0.06mcg |
| Choline Total | 15.24mg |
| Folate Total | 4.8mcg |
| Niacin (B3) | 0.18mg |
| Pantothenic Acid (B5) | 0.18mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0.01mg |
| Thiamin (B1) | 0.08mg |
| Minerals | |
| Calcium | 15.6mg |
| Copper | 0.13mg |
| Fluoride | – |
| Iron | 0.54mg |
| Magnesium | 13.2mg |
| Manganese | 0.13mg |
| Phosphorus | 46.8mg |
| Potassium | 217.8mg |
| Selenium | 0.36mcg |
| Sodium | – |
| Zinc | 0.2mg |
Before we delve into the health benefits that lotus roots can bestow on us, let’s check out the nutritional elements that make it such a healthy special.
The health benefits of lotus root can be credited to its special mix of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, consisting of potassium, phosphorous, copper, iron, and manganese, in addition to thiamin, pantothenic acid, zinc, vitamin B6, and vitamin C.
It is likewise a really considerable source of dietary fiber and a good source of protein.
Health Benefits of Eating Lotus Root
Lotus root is rich in nutrients that benefit our body in lots of ways. Let’s have a look at them in detail.
Improves Blood Flow
Lotus root can be a terrific way to promote the blood circulation of blood to increase oxygenation of the organs and increase the performance and energy levels.
The iron and copper content in lotus roots is considerable, and they are both essential parts of red cell production, assisting in decreasing chances of developing anemic symptoms and increasing vitality and blood circulation.
Reduces Stress
Among the aspects of vitamin B complex is pyridoxine. It straight engages with neural receptors in the brain that influence mood and mental states.
It controls irritation, headaches, and stress levels. Lotus flowers are often connected with peace and serenity.
Manages Blood Pressure
The considerable levels of potassium found in lotus root make sure a proper balance in between the fluids in the body as well as neutralize the effects of salt in our blood stream. Potassium is a vasodilator, indicating that it unwinds capillary.
Therefore, by reducing the contraction and rigidness, it increases blood flow and reduces the strain on the cardiovascular system. Potassium is also a necessary element of neural activity and the passage of fluid and blood in the brain.
Improves Digestion
The woody, fleshy lotus root is packed with dietary fiber, which is known to bulk up the stool and speed up defecation.
Lotus root can reduce symptoms of constipation while enhancing nutrient absorption. This is done by increasing the secretion of digestive and gastric juices and promoting peristaltic movement in the intestinal tract muscles to facilitate simple and routine defecation.
Rich in Vitamin C
When we discuss the nutrition content of lotus root, vitamin C is certainly the most popular. 100 grams of lotus root contains 73% of your day-to-day requirement of this powerful antioxidant vitamin.
Vitamin C is a crucial part of collagen, which keeps the integrity and strength of our blood vessels, organs, and skin, and is also a major stimulant for the immune system.
In addition, vitamin C can reduce the effects of totally free radicals in the body, which threaten by-products of cellular metabolism linked to triggering conditions like cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Enhances Heart Health
Along with the vasodilation potential of potassium and the cholesterol-scrubbing capability of dietary fiber, the pyridoxine content in lotus root manages the levels of homocysteine in the blood, which is directly connected to causing a cardiovascular disease.
Handles Weight
Lotus roots are an excellent option for individuals trying to handle their weight. By consisting of low-calorie foods that are high in nutrients and fiber, you are able to get all the nutrients you need, and still feel complete, so you reduce the chances of overeating and thus, manage obesity.
Rich in Vitamin A
This is another necessary vitamin discovered in lotus roots, which has been shown to improve the health of the skin, hair, and eyes. Vitamin A has antioxidant capabilities and can avoid macular degeneration and other ocular conditions. It also helps to accelerate injury recovery and treat skin conditions and inflammation.
Diet Tips: Can I Eat Raw Lotus Root?
The edible roots grow in the overload, undersea environments. Lotus root is a customized tuber which shops energy through starch. It develops into sausage-like 3 to 5 converging nodes determining about 2-4 feet in length.
Each rhizome sector features smooth, gray-white tube determining about 10-25 cm in length, 3-8 cm in size. Internally, the root has white, crispy flesh with slightly sweet, water-chestnut-like taste. The cut areas reveal a visually appealing screen of symmetrically organized air canals (holes) traversing the whole time the length of the root.
There are no inherent risks however some people opt to eat lotus roots raw, which can spread out parasites or bacterial infections. Therefore, always cook lotus roots before eating or including them to your diet.
Where to Buy a Raw Lotus Root?
As you can see, the benefits of Lotus root are quite large, so it is logical to ask the question: where can I buy fresh (raw) Lotus root for consumption? In fact, it is not easy to buy this root raw. But there are a lot of products on the market that are made from Lotus root and have more or less of the value described above for your health. Here are the appropriate products for you.
SoKusa Lotus Root Crisps
Ingredients: Lotus root, sweet rice, corn starch, wheat flour, rice bran oil, onion powder, vegetable powder, pepper powder, sugar, milk powder, salt.
Lotus Root Powder Natural 100% Pure
- Natural 100% Pure Lotus Root Powder 100g For Health.
- Oriental natural food powder.
- Lotus roots include dietary fiber, vitamin C, amino acids, polyphenols and minerals.
- Take 3-5g 2-3 times a day (Eat with water or mix with food).
- Native land: South Korea.
100% Pure Lotus Root Powder
- 100% Pure Lotus Root. No included Sugar
- 20 packages, 15g each
- Private plans to make the ideal amount with little to no waste.
- Easy to prepare.
- Packaged for an ideal 2 year shelf life.
Black Lotus Root Tea
- Drink at any time of the day.
- GNTea makes your mind and body comfy.
- Handmade Roasting and Cutting, 9 times dried and steamed.
- Black Lotus Root tea of GNTea has actually updated its nutrition by warping its properties
- Cleansing the blood, detox, ease hangover symptoms, Brain advancement.
Greenmax Lotus Root Powder
- 100% natural & vegetarian
- No preservatives
- Authentic taste
- Not smooth powder like corn starch but is coarse
- Made in Taiwan
Conclusion
Although the benefits of consuming raw Lotus root have been proven, it is better to use different forms of this root for greater effect and the safety of your gastrointestinal tract. For example, in the form of adding Lotus root powder to food, drinking tea from this root, and other options.
It seems to me that the taste of the lotus root resembles potatoes.By my friend,given its crunchy properties,has a cocount flavor.After pickling,the root acquires a sharp and sweet taste.In ancient times,lotus flower personfied calm and peace-the lotus root has a beneficial effect on the human body,relieves stress and gives positive emotions.
For all its usefulness,the lotus root,if used raw,can be fatal.It contains the nalumbine alkaoid,wich,if improperly prepared or improperly collected,cause dizziness,vomiting,and palpitations.In cause of untimely medical care,death is possible.So be careful
In addition to the taste qualities that many people like, Lotus root can boast a significant list of useful properties. Decoction of the roots of this medicinal plant has long been used by folk medicine of the East as an effective sedative for convulsions, emissions and dyspepsia. Due to the nutritional value of such decoctions, they were often recommended during severe exhaustion or moral exhaustion
My brother had gonorrhea and was taking Lotus root as an antiseptic and antipyretic