Yucca? What is it?
Yucca is a natural substance long used in herbal medicine. Sourced from the root of the Yucca tree, it’s also consumed as a food. Proponents claim that taking Yucca in supplement form or applying yucca to the skin can help treat a variety of health problems.
What is Yucca?
Yucca is a shrub that is native to Central America. It is a perennial plant and has been used by inhabitants of Americas to make ropes and baskets for ages. Yucca is different from Yuca and must not be confused with it. Yucca is Caribbean cassava and is a different shrub altogether.
Some other common names for Yucca
Yucca root can also be consumed, and it is known by different names in different regions. Some of them include Guardian of the Desert, Spanish Bayonet, Needle Palm, The Joshua Tree and Soapweed, Lord’s Candle. Yucca alone has more than 40 species. The most used include Yucca filamentosa which is interchangeably used with other species, and Yucca baccata, and Yucca glauca.
In alternative medicine, Yucca supplements are said to help with the following conditions:
What can consuming Yucca do for you?
In addition, Yucca is thought to stimulate circulation, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain.When applied directly to the skin, Yucca is typically used to treat dandruff and promote hair growth.
Yucca Root health benefits includes improving digestion, treating constipation, preventing diabetes, curing inflammation, treating ulcers, boosting energy and immunity, curing headaches and relieving stress, relieving joint pains and arthritis, preventing hyperglycemia, reducing cholesterol, supporting cardiovascular health, supporting weight loss, and slowing down the aging process. Historically, Yucca was also used by indigenous people to help treat fever and chills, promote female fertility and soothe sore muscles.
Where can I purchase Yucca?
Often sold in powder form, yucca is widely available for purchase online and in natural-foods stores.
You can usually find yucca in the produce section of your local grocery store, right alongside other tubers, such as sweet potatoes and yams.
In some cases, you may need to expand your search and check out some Latin or Asian specialty markets to find it. It can also sometimes be found pre-peeled and cut in the freezer section as well.
Be sure to look for it under its other names, such as yuca or cassava.
Nutritional Benefits of Yucca
Yucca is enriched with prominent bioactive substances which include Vitamin B complex, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, copper, calcium, phosphorus, manganese, and potassium. It is also rich in carbohydrates.
Saponin is the most active chemical component of yucca, and it is often used to make thick foam in shampoos and other products. Due to yucca’s abundance with saponin, it is also used as sanitizer and cleanser. Yucca root also has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. Therefore, people also consume it.
One cup (about 206 grams) of yucca root contains approximately: (11)
- 330 calories
- 78.4 grams carbohydrates
- 2.8 grams protein
- 0.6 gram fat
- 3.7 grams dietary fiber
- 42.4 milligrams vitamin C (71 percent DV)
- 0.8 milligram manganese (40 percent DV)
- 558 milligrams potassium (16 percent DV)
- 55.6 micrograms folate (14 percent DV)
- 0.2 milligram thiamine (12 percent DV)
- 43.3 milligrams magnesium (11 percent DV)
- 0.2 milligram copper (10 percent DV)
- 0.2 milligram vitamin B6 (9 percent DV)
- 1.8 milligrams niacin (9 percent DV)
- 0.1 milligram riboflavin (6 percent DV)
- 55.6 milligrams phosphorus (6 percent DV)
- 3.9 micrograms vitamin K (5 percent DV)
- 0.7 milligram zinc (5 percent DV)
Although yucca root offers plenty of nutrients and health benefits, it’s also high in calories and carbohydrates and should be consumed in moderation as part of a healthy diet. Add yucca root to your meals as a starch in place of potatoes or grains, but be sure to also pair it with plenty of non-starchy vegetables and healthy protein foods to balance your meal.
Additionally, proper preparation is key when consuming yucca root. The roots of the yucca plant contain a substance that can trigger the production of toxins, such as cyanide, when not processed correctly. Improper cooking can cause yucca root side effects, such as vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness and headaches.
Opt for sweet varieties over bitter whenever possible, and be sure to peel yucca, cut it and cook it thoroughly before enjoying. Some research also shows that soaking it for 48 to 60 hours before cooking can significantly cut down on the potential for toxicity. (15)
Yucca root also contains antinutrients, which are compounds that can interfere with the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals. For most people who eat yucca root in moderation, this shouldn’t be a major concern, but it can increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies for populations who use it as a dietary staple.
Final Thoughts
- Yucca, or cassava, is a type of shrub native to South America that is widely cultivated for its starchy edible root.
- Although high in calories and carbohydrates, yucca root also boasts a good amount of important nutrients, such as vitamin C, manganese and potassium.
- Adding yucca root to your diet may help strengthen your immune system, boost skin health, reduce arthritis symptoms, protect against oxidative stress and keep blood sugar steady.
- It can be fried, boiled or mashed and added to many different types of recipes, from soups to stews to fries and beyond.
- To take full advantage of the health benefits of yucca, be sure to cook thoroughly, soak it before preparing, and pair it with a well-balanced and healthy diet.
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