Short Answer: Cassava is good for high blood pressure. Because it has potassium and resistant starch and they can lower blood pressure and improve blood sugar control.
High blood pressure is a condition that affects your arteries.
Arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to other parts of your body.
In high blood pressure, the force of the blood pushing against the walls of your arteries is consistently too high.
This can lead to various health problems, such as heart attack, stroke, kidney damage, and vision loss.
One of the key factors in managing high blood pressure is diet.
What you consume can affect your blood pressure levels, which can impact your high blood pressure symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage high blood pressure, you should consume potassium-rich foods like bananas, potatoes, and spinach and avoid sodium-rich foods like processed meats, canned soups, and salty snacks.
Now, cassava is a starchy root vegetable that is widely consumed in many countries around the world.
It provides many important nutrients, such as vitamin C, copper, and resistant starch.
People usually peel and cook cassava before eating it, as it can be poisonous if consumed raw.
Cassava is good for high blood pressure because it contains potassium and resistant starch.
Potassium can help lower blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels and balancing the effects of sodium.
Resistant starch can help improve blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity, which are also beneficial for blood pressure regulation.
100 grams of cooked cassava can give you 271 milligrams of potassium (6% of your daily needs) and 3.7 grams of resistant starch (15% of your daily needs).
Potassium can positively affect high blood pressure by reducing the tension in the arterial walls and promoting the excretion of excess sodium.
Resistant starch can positively affect high blood pressure by lowering the postprandial glucose and insulin spikes, which can impair the function of the endothelium, the inner lining of the blood vessels.
Furthermore, cassava is a low glycemic index food and low glycemic index foods are good for high blood pressure.
Because, they do not cause rapid spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
You can eat 150 to 200 grams of cooked cassava per day safely.
More than that can cause bloating, flatulence, and abdominal discomfort due to the high amount of resistant starch.
Also, you shouldn’t eat cassava if you have thyroid problems, as it contains goitrogens, which can interfere with the production of thyroid hormones.
Because, low thyroid function can worsen high blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease.
You can buy fresh cassava in your local market or order it online.
Always choose firm, well-shaped, and heavy roots that are free of cracks, soft spots, and mold.
Because, these are signs of freshness and quality.
You can store them in a cool, dark, and dry place for up to one week.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing high blood pressure effectively.
I always recommend my high blood pressure patients to follow a high blood pressure-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.