The lotus root is a vegetable root with therapeutic benefits. It has been used in Asian traditional medicine for centuries. Lotus root benefits your health in a number of ways, thanks to its rich nutrition profile. It is a great source of carbohydrates, fiber, and antioxidants that help treat many ailments.
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What is lotus root good for?
Incorporating lotus root in your diet can prove to be beneficial for your skin, hair and eyes as it is rich in Vitamin A. Vitamin A present in Lotus root has anti-oxidant properties and help prevent macular degeneration and ocular conditions and even helps to treat skin problems and inflammation.
How do you eat lotus root?
Lotus roots are usually sliced crosswise to reveal their attractive pattern of holes. They are traditionally added to soups and stews or simply stir-fried, as well as braised in soy sauce. They can also be thinly sliced and added raw to salads. Another favorite way of enjoying them is deep-fried into chips.
What are 2 effects of eating lotus?
Lotus contains chemicals that decrease swelling, kill cancer cells and bacteria, reduce blood sugar, help the breakdown of fat, and protect the heart and blood vessels. Chemicals in lotus also seem to protect the skin, liver, and brain.
Is lotus root good eating?
Lotus root is very nutritious and contains many properties that make it an especially healthy ingredient to consume. The large amount of vitamins and minerals it contains include Vitamin B, Vitamin C, iron, potassium, copper, thiamin, and zinc, among others. It is also a good source of protein and dietary fiber.
Can lotus root be eaten raw?
Lotus root is popular as a vegetable throughout South and East Asia, where it is cheap and plentiful. Its texture is crisp and crunchy like a jicama. Unlike a jicama, lotus root can't be eaten raw, and must be steamed or cooked first.
Does lotus root need to be refrigerated?
Store lotus root in the refrigerator wrapped in a damp cloth or paper towels in a plastic bag. They're at their best when very fresh, but can be stored for a couple of weeks. To prepare your root, peel it with a vegetable peeler first.
Is lotus root good for liver?
Lotus root contains tannin, an astringent substance that has a lot of liver-protecting qualities. A study [1] conducted by Tsuruta et all in 2011 revealed that the condensed tannin present in the roots improved liver conditions such as hepatomegaly (enlarged liver) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Is lotus good for hair?
Its composition provides intense repair for healthier and brighter hair. These are characteristics that the Lotus Flower is able to provide to the hair. Its revitalizing action comes from the seeds, which are able to activate genes that produce proteins to repair the hair fiber.
Is lotus root good for weight loss?
It contains very less calories and more fiber. This property of lotus root does not let you feel hungry and thus reduces your consumption of fatty foods. . In addition, it also helps stimulate your digestive system, helping to lose weight.
Is lotus root healthier than potato?
It is frequently used as a vegetable in Asian cuisines with deep fried, stir fried, braised and many other interesting ways of cooking this healthy food. The texture is similar to potato, but lotus root doesn't have as high a starch content, that's why it has much less carbohydrates and a lower GI (Glycemic Index).
What is lotus root called in English?
Nelumbo nuciferaSpecies:N. nuciferaBinomial nameNelumbo nucifera Gaertn.Synonyms10 more rows
Is lotus root good for diabetics?
If you have diabetes, choose more high-fibre foods. A type of fibre called soluble fibre may help control blood sugar levels. Try these high-fibre foods: Vegetables: mushroom, bok choy, gai lan, broccoli, corn, lotus root, sweet potato, taro, water chestnuts, squash, snow peas, baby corn.
Should I peel lotus root?
The bitter/tannic substance is most concentrated in the skin, so you should peel it. Inside, it's a light flesh color. (Another way to deal with a raw lotus root is to steam it whole, but peeling and slicing is easier for beginners.) Raw lotus root will start to darken almost right away, rather like raw potato.
What parts of lotus plant are edible?
All parts of the lotus root plant are edible. The stems are consumed like a green vegetable and the leaves can be substituted for flour-based wraps. But the primary reason for growing lotus root is the starchy tuber. Young, fresh lotus root has a crunchy texture and sweet flavor when consumed raw.
Why does lotus root have holes?
Lotus roots are found buried in anaerobic sediment and are characterised by having oval holes for obtaining oxygen. Mevi-schutz and Grosse [5] conducted experiments that showed that thermoosmotic gas transport could drive oxygen flow from the lotus leaves to the roots.
How do you clean the inside of a lotus root?
Wash the lotus stem, then take a large bowl and add in some lukewarm water with a pinch of salt. Then wash the lotus stem again and pat dry. Next, chop both the ends and use a peeler to gently remove the fibrous layer.
How to Grow Lotus Root
Cultivating lotus root for food is easy. These low maintenance water plants are hardy in USDA zones 4 to 10. In Northern climates the rhizomatous roots require protection from freezing temperatures. This can be accomplished by sinking roots into deeper water or storing roots inside for the winter.
Lotus Root Uses
All parts of the lotus root plant are edible. The stems are consumed like a green vegetable and the leaves can be substituted for flour-based wraps. But the primary reason for growing lotus root is the starchy tuber .
What Is Lotus Root?
Lotus root is the long stem of the lotus plant. The lotus plant has the scientific name Nelumbo nucifera and belongs to the Nelumbonaceae family. The root, flower stalks and seeds are commonly used in Chinese and Japanese cuisine.
Health Benefits
Lotus root is an excellent source of vitamin C. Thanks to its antioxidant content, vitamin C benefits the health of your skin through several different mechanisms.
Nutrition Facts
Lotus root’s nutritional values depend on whether we’re looking at the raw root or cooked.
Uses in Traditional Medicine
The lotus plant originated in India and was brought to other countries, including Egypt, China and Japan, about 2,000 years ago. Today, all parts of the plant are used for food and in traditional medicine. The root, seeds and leaves in particular are used in herbal medicine.
Lotus Root vs. Potato vs. Burdock Tea
Lotus root, potato and burdock root can all be added to soups, stews and stir-fries. Both lotus and burdock root have slightly sweet and nutty flavors, and they both contain a pleasantly crunchy texture when cooked or eaten raw. You can also find tea products, powders and extracts made from both lotus and burdock root.
Where to Find and How to Use
You can find fresh lotus root in larger health food stores. It can also be found in Japanese and other Asian markets. When you buy this root, look for rhizomes that are heavy, firm and smooth. Avoid roots with bruised or blemished skin.
Recipes
When cooking lotus root, you have a lot of preparation options. The root can be poached by adding slices to simmering water for about 25 minutes. It can be roasted in the oven for about 15 minutes to make lotus root chips, and it can be stir-fried in oil along with ginger, garlic and green onions.
