Jicama, fondly called “Shankhaalu” in parts of India, has multiple health benefits because of its high content in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins & minerals.
Benefits of Jicama:
1) Effective in weight loss: Jicama is a nutrient-dense food. It contains a high number of nutrients but a relatively low number of calories, and a good amount of both water and fiber – which help fill you up, making it a weight loss-friendly food.
2) Packed with nutrients: Jicama contains fiber, vitamin E, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and copper. Jicama is also an excellent source of vitamin C, an essential water-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant in your body and is necessary for many enzyme reactions.
3) Promotes Digestion: Dietary fiber helps increase the bulk of stool. This helps it move more smoothly through your digestive tract. High water content can also help ease constipation.
4) Good for Your Gut Bacteria: Jicama is high in inulin, which is a prebiotic fiber. A prebiotic is a substance that can be used by the bacteria in your body. While your digestive system is unable to digest or absorb prebiotics such as inulin, the bacteria in your gut can ferment them. A diet high in prebiotics increases the population of “good” bacteria in your gut and decreases the number of unhealthy bacteria.
5) Antioxidants: Jicama contains several antioxidants, which are beneficial plant compounds that help prevent cell damage by counteracting free radicals, the harmful molecules that cause oxidative stress.
6) Boost Heart Health: Jicama contains a significant amount of soluble dietary fiber, which may help lower cholesterol levels by preventing bile from being reabsorbed in the intestines, as well as preventing the liver from making more cholesterol. Jicama also contains potassium, which helps lower blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels.
6) Reduce the Risk of Cancer: Jicama contains the antioxidant vitamins C and E, selenium, and beta-carotene. Antioxidants neutralize the free radicals that can lead to cell damage and cancer. Dietary fiber is well known for its protective effects against colon cancer, reducing the risk of cancer by increasing the number of healthy bacteria in the gut, increasing the production of protective short-chain fatty acids, and boosting immune response.
8) Blood sugar regulation: Jicama has a low glycemic index. This means that eating jicama as part of a healthful and balanced diet may help to prevent spikes in blood sugar levels, which may make it a good choice for people with diabetes.
