The lotus flower, a stunning pink-hued or white flowering perennial water plant, India’s nationwide flower, is named “Kamal” or “Padmini.” The lotus plant has the scientific title Nelumbo nucifera and belongs to the Nelumbonaceae household. It is a sacred plant that represents divine magnificence and purity.
Lotus crops thrive within the mud of shallow ponds, marshes, lagoons, and flooded fields and are native to Asia, Australia, New Guinea, and parts of the Middle East. Lotus roots get procured from early August to late September. In conventional farming, farmers really feel for rhizomes with their toes and dig them out with their palms. The lotus plant is edible in nearly each side. The leaves, seeds, flowers, fruit, and rhizomes of Lotus are all edible and have medicinal properties.
Dried Lotus flowers have been utilized in conventional drugs to deal with bleeding issues, notably vital blood loss throughout heavy menstruation. It additionally helps deal with diarrhoea by reducing faeces’ frequency with which one passes. In addition, the paste of lotus petals or lotus seed oil, in response to Ayurveda, moisturises and rejuvenates the pores and skin.
Lotus Roots
Lotus Roots, also referred to as Kamal Kakdi, are a flexible meals that has lengthy been a staple of Indian and Asian cuisines. These roots are added to varied dishes, from pickles to curries to fries. Lotus root is an edible rhizome, a bulb derived from the same-named flower that may be peeled, sliced, and consumed uncooked or cooked.
Lotus roots are cylindrical and brown. When sliced crosswise, a lace-like design with pea-sized holes seems. The root is crunchy, gentle in flavour, and really scrumptious. Lotus roots have negligible saturated fats and levels of cholesterol. Several vitamins, minerals, nutritional vitamins, and fibre present quite a few well being benefits, together with weight discount, acid reflux disease or indigestion, immunity, piles administration, irritation therapeutic, and enchancment of blood circulation, coronary heart, mind, and pores and skin well being.
Nutritional Value of Lotus Root
As per USDA, 100 grams of lotus root incorporates the next dietary values.
- Water: 79.1 g
- Energy: 74 kcal
- Protein: 2.6 g
- Lipid (fats): 0.1 g
- Ash: 0.97 g
- Carbohydrate: 17.2 g
- Fibre, whole dietary: 4.9 g
Vitamins and Minerals
Various nutritional vitamins and minerals are current in Lotus Root.
- Calcium, Ca: 45 mg
- Iron, Fe: 1.16 mg
- Magnesium, Mg: 23 mg
- Phosphorus, P: 100 mg
- Potassium, Okay: 556 mg
- Sodium, Na: 40 mg
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid): 44 mg
- Folate: 13 µg
Lotus root incorporates a number of water (79.1g) and has a low calorie, carbohydrate, and fats content material. A 100g lotus root incorporates 74kcal of energy, most of which come from carbohydrates adopted by protein and fats. Therefore, taking 100 g of uncooked lotus root will get 2.6 g of protein and 17.2 g of carbohydrate with 4.9grams of dietary fibre and minimal sugar.
The lotus root’s glycemic index (GI) is 33, making it a low GI meals. So, it’s a sensible choice for stopping blood sugar will increase after meals.
Lotus root incorporates a number of important micronutrients reminiscent of potassium (556 mg), phosphorus (100 mg), copper, vitamin B6, and iron. It additionally incorporates vitamin C (44mg) and folate (13µg). Vitamin C is a extremely water-soluble antioxidant needed for collagen formation within the physique, defending towards scurvy and boosting immunity.
The lotus root features a tiny quantity of calcium, magnesium, quite a few B nutritional vitamins, and a small amount of pantothenic acid. Both potassium and magnesium scale back blood stress, and potassium helps relieve blood vessel pressure and counteracts the results of extreme sodium within the blood by way of excretion.
The HealthifyMe Note
According to USDA knowledge, Lotus root is of course cholesterol-free, fat-free, and low in energy. In addition, due to its explicit nutrient distribution, lotus root is good for weight reduction. It additionally has a excessive potassium and magnesium content material, which helps decrease blood stress.
Health Benefits of Lotus Root
Promotes Blood Circulation
The consumption of lotus root boosts vitality by regulating blood circulation. As a end result, all physique organs are oxygenated, enough for good circulation. In addition, research present that lotus root is excessive in copper and iron, which helps crimson blood cell improvement.
Helps in Weight Management
Lotus root is a wealthy supply of dietary fibre. Dietary fibre regulates vitality consumption, thus enhancing weight reduction or sustaining wholesome physique weight. Studies present that growing dietary fibre consumption could lower vitality absorption by diluting a food plan’s vitality availability whereas preserving different important vitamins. Furthermore, a high-fibre food plan retains you full and glad for prolonged intervals, which can show you how to shed some pounds.
Regulates Blood Pressure
As per analysis, Lotus root incorporates potassium, which has antihypertensive advantages. In addition, it widens the arteries, which helps minimise blood vessel pressure and enhance blood circulate. As a end result, blood stress stays managed, decreasing the opportunity of hypertension.
Potassium in Lotus Roots makes it a wonderful vasodilator, which helps scale back the dangerous ldl cholesterol in our blood. It additionally lowers the danger of coronary heart assaults by stopping artery blockage.
Improves Heart Health and Prevents Cardiovascular Diseases
Specific parts within the lotus root are fairly appropriate for our hearts. It incorporates potassium, a vasodilator, and dietary fibre, each of which help in eradicating ldl cholesterol from the bloodstream. Research exhibits that lotus root greens additionally include pyridoxine. It helps hold our hearts wholesome by controlling homocysteine ranges within the blood.
Potassium aids within the stability of physique fluids and even counteracts the results of salt. Potassium additionally helps chill out blood vessels and promote blood circulate by reducing blood vessel stiffness and contraction, relieving the cardiovascular system of stress.
Aids in Digestion
Lotus root is a perfect supply of dietary fibre. It helps enhance bowel actions by absorbing water within the intestines and softening the stool. Thus, leading to a clean go out of the stool. In addition, analysis means that dietary fibre consumption will increase stool frequency in sufferers with constipation.
This dietary fibre offers bulk to the stool and aids in its removing from the physique, stopping us from changing into sick from issues like diarrhoea and constipation. In addition, the Lotus root’s excessive fibre content material helps within the secretion of gastric juices, aiding digestion and absorption of vitamins.
Lotus Roots Strengthens Immunity
Research means that vitamin C aids immune safety by supporting innate and adaptive immune techniques’ mobile functioning. It additionally helps in regulating bowel actions. The antioxidant vitamin C, considerable in lotus root, is sort of highly effective. By combating free radicals in our cells, vitamin C shields us from sicknesses like most cancers and coronary heart illness. In addition, vitamin C is a part of collagen, which helps to take care of the stiffness and energy of blood vessels, pores and skin, and organs.
Improves Brain Functioning
Studies present that one of many parts of the vitamin B advanced present in Lotus root is pyridoxine. Pyridoxine interacts with neural receptors within the mind to help your temper and psychological wellness. Lotus root additionally helps deal with different illnesses reminiscent of complications, stress, and irritability. In addition, vitamin B3 (Niacin) contributes to vitality creation, psychological well being, and nervous system operate.
Lotus root is taken into account a copper-rich meal. Copper helps elevate vitality ranges, construct bones, and help metabolism, but it surely additionally helps increase mind well being by permitting neuronal connections to function appropriately.
Lotus Roots Improves Skin Health and Complexion
Lotus root has a excessive vitamin C content material. Studies present that vitamin C promotes your pores and skin’s well being in numerous methods, because of its antioxidant part.
Vitamin C is current in abundance in our pores and skin. This vitamin will increase collagen manufacturing, protects the pores and skin from free radical and ultraviolet harm, and aids in reversing ageing indications. Vitamin C additionally helps scale back hyperpigmentation signs reminiscent of darkish spots and pores and skin discolouration.
The HealthifyMe Note
The consumption of lotus root boosts vitality ranges by enhancing blood circulation. It additionally contains vitamin C, which helps to spice up immunity and promotes pores and skin well being, because of its antioxidant part. It additionally aids within the management of bowel actions. In addition, niacin (Vitamin B3) is a B vitamin that helps with vitality manufacturing, psychological wellness, and nervous system operate.
Homemade Recipes for Lotus Root
Baked Lotus Root Chips
Serves: 2 servings
Preparation Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
- Lotus Roots: 200 g
- Black Pepper: 1 tsp
- Salt: ½ tsp
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp
Method of Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 325 ℉.
- In a big bowl, mix the entire substances.
- Drizzle the roots with oil and lay them on a baking sheet.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake for 20 minutes till golden brown.
- Using a paper towel, take in extra liquid. Serve with a dip or season with your spices.
Nutrition Facts per Serving dimension of 15 items
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Carbohydrate: 19 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Fat: 2 g
- Fibre: 0.37 g
- Calcium: 10 mg
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Potassium: 159 mg
Lotus Root Sabzi
Serves: 4-6 servings
Preparation time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
- Lotus Root: 12 oz (approx 300 grams), peeled and sliced
- Oil: 1 tbsp
- Turmeric Powder: ¼ tsp
- Ginger Garlic Paste: 1 tbsp
- Tomatoes: 4 medium, pureed
- Red Chilli Powder: ½ tsp or to style
- Garam Masala: ½ tsp
- Coriander Powder: 1 tbsp
- Salt to style
- Water: ½ cup
- Cilantro (Coriander): 5 sprigs, chopped for garnishing
Method of Preparation
- Heat oil in a pan on medium warmth.
- Add turmeric powder and ginger and garlic paste. Then prepare dinner for 30 seconds.
- Add pureed tomatoes, crimson chilli powder, garam masala, and a little bit salt. Combine and prepare dinner till tomatoes soften and all moisture has evaporated (approx 12 minutes).
- Add Lotus Root and blend properly. Cook for two minutes.
- Add 1/2 cup water, cowl it with a lid, and proceed to prepare dinner for five minutes.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with chapati or paratha.
Nutrition Facts per Serving
- Calories: 167 kcal
- Carbohydrate: 6.3 g
- Protein: 1.2 g
- Fat: 15.2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 g
- Fibre: 2.8 g
- Sodium: 7.3 mg
Storage and Food Safety
A lotus root that has not been washed must be wrapped in a moist material and preserved within the fridge for every week or two. Keep the ingredient cool, retailer it in an hermetic container, and use it as quickly as attainable if it has been peeled and sliced. It’s finest to soak the uncovered components in acidulated water, which you’ll be able to produce by diluting bizarre water with a couple of drops of vinegar or lemon juice to assist hold the color contemporary and take away any bitterness.
Precautionary Measures and Allergies
Diabetes
Lotus root could assist folks with diabetes decrease their blood sugar ranges. If you’ve diabetes and use Lotus as a drugs, search for low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) indicators and carefully verify your blood sugar ranges.
Pregnant Women
There is inadequate proof concerning the security of ingesting lotus root as a drugs when pregnant or breastfeeding. So, it’s advisable to keep away from being on the secure aspect.
Surgery
Lotus root could assist to cut back blood sugar ranges. However, it’s attainable that utilizing lotus root as drugs will have an effect on blood sugar regulation throughout and after surgical procedures. Therefore, cease taking the lotus root not less than two weeks earlier than your process.
Allergies
People might be allergic to lotus roots, although that is unusual. However, a case examine exhibits a 6-year-old woman who developed opposed signs after consuming fried lotus roots.
The HealthifyMe Note
Lotus root has advanced carbs, a number of vitamins, minerals, nutritional vitamins, and fibre, which offer quite a few well being advantages. As a end result, it aids in weight administration, digestion, immunity, excretion, and irritation therapeutic. It additionally improves stress administration by enhancing blood circulation and coronary heart well being.
Summary
Lotus roots, also referred to as kamal kakdi, are a flexible meals that has lengthy been a staple of Indian and Asian cuisines. They are excessive in nutritional vitamins and minerals reminiscent of vitamin B6, C, thiamin, pantothenic acid, zinc, potassium, phosphorus, copper, iron, and manganese. Lotus root contains compounds that scale back swelling, destroy most cancers cells and micro organism, decrease blood sugar, help fats breakdown, and shield the center and blood arteries, amongst different issues. In addition, lotus root chemical substances protect the pores and skin, liver, and mind.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What are the well being advantages of lotus root?
A. Lotus root extract is advantageous to your well being as a result of it has quite a lot of helpful components. It is excessive in antioxidants, which assist to guard cells from oxidative harm and contribute to its hepatoprotective properties. It additionally possesses diuretic and astringent properties which will assist with weight administration. Lotus root extract can be excessive in alkaloids, which will help with irregular heartbeat, energy, and sexual operate. It can also be helpful in treating diabetes, infertility, and urinary tract infections.
Q. Is consuming lotus root good for you?
A. Lotus root incorporates a number of vitamins, minerals, nutritional vitamins, and fibre, which offer quite a few well being advantages. It aids in weight reduction, acid reflux disease or indigestion, immunity, pile management, and irritation therapeutic. It additionally helps with stress administration by enhancing blood circulation and coronary heart well being.
Q. What is the dietary worth of lotus root?
A. As per USDA, a 100 g portion of Lotus root incorporates 60 energy. It offers 0.1 grams of fats, 2.6 grams of protein, 17.2 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of sugar, and 4.9 grams of dietary fibre, with the remainder consisting of advanced carbohydrates. Lotus root contains no saturated fats and no ldl cholesterol in its pure type. Lotus root incorporates IU vitamin A, 44 mg vitamin C, 0 mg vitamin D per 100 g, 1.16 mg iron, 45 mg calcium, and 556 mg potassium in uncooked type.
Q. Is lotus root excessive in carbs?
A. No. Lotus roots have a reasonable degree of carbs, and carbohydrates make up many of the energy in lotus roots. According to the USDA, a 100 g meal of cooked lotus roots has 17.2 grams of carbohydrates, 4.9 grams of fibre, and little or no sugar. Lotus root has a glycemic index of 33 and a glycemic load of three, making it a low-GI meals. Foods with a low GI worth get digested and absorbed slowly, whereas these with a excessive GI worth are swiftly absorbed.
Q. Can diabetics eat lotus root?
A. Yes, folks with diabetes can eat lotus root as its excessive dietary fibre content material delays the absorption of sugar within the physique by way of decreasing carbohydrate digestion. As a end result, lotus root is a superb diabetic snack. In addition, lotus root extract has additionally been confirmed to have anti-diabetic properties and can be utilized to deal with diabetes.
Q. Is lotus root good for weight reduction?
A. Yes, lotus root might show you how to shed some pounds as a result of anti-obesity properties of lotus leaves, rhizomes, and seeds. It reduces fats and carbohydrate absorption, boosts lipid metabolism, and lowers vitality expenditure by inhibiting the exercise of particular digestive enzymes.
Q. Can lotus root be eaten uncooked?
A. It’s advisable don’t eat lotus roots raw since they’re bitter and astringent as a result of presence of tannins whereas cooking decreases the bitterness; thus, it tastes finest cooked. It additionally has a excessive danger of bacterial infections, so wash them gently and totally prepare dinner them earlier than consuming.
Q. Does lotus root have protein?
A. Yes, lotus root incorporates a enough quantity of protein 2.6 g in 100g, as per USDA knowledge. Therefore, it’s useful for the expansion and upkeep of muscle, immune operate, and sustaining wholesome bones, pores and skin, hair, and nails.
Q. Does the lotus root have an iron?
A. Yes, lotus root incorporates 1.16 mg of iron in 100g, as per USDA knowledge. Iron ranges are raised by consuming lotus root, and iron retains you working by permitting oxygen to get to your cells. When an individual is iron poor, they often really feel weary, sluggish, and have problem concentrating.
Q. Is lotus root good for the liver?
A. Yes, it’s good for the liver because it incorporates tannin, an astringent compound with quite a few liver-protecting properties. In addition, as a result of they’ve particular phytoconstituents, they’re efficient in liver issues reminiscent of fatty liver. These phytoconstituents operate by maintaining a protein hormone (adiponectin) in verify. It aids within the digestion of advanced fat and sugars.
Q. Does Lotus get you excessive?
A. No, lotus root doesn’t get you excessive, however blue lotus flower consumption could make you are feeling “high.” The blue lotus flower is a psychoactive substance used to deal with insomnia and anxiousness. But the next quantity of consumption by way of inhalation could trigger gentle euphoria and hallucinations. Therefore, the blue lotus flower is formally prohibited for human consumption within the United States.
Q. Is lotus root anti-inflammatory?
A. Lotus will help scale back irritation because it incorporates chemical compounds with anti-inflammatory properties. These parts alleviate irritation by soothing irritated tissues, and Lotus is used to deal with haemorrhoids due to this characteristic.
Q. Is lotus root excessive in fibre?
A. Lotus root incorporates 4.9 grams of dietary fibre, which may meet as much as 27% of your day by day fibre necessities, relying in your age and gender. Because lotus roots are excessive in fibre, you’ll really feel fuller after only some energy. In addition, the lotus root’s excessive fibre content material helps within the secretion of gastric juices, aiding digestion and absorption of vitamins.
