Get to know cassava leaves from their benefits and nutrients

Cassava leaves are leaves that come from the cassava plant. Cassava leaves are generally pointed and reddish-stemmed and the leaf types are fingered from cassava plants and are commonly found in plantations. Many cassava plants grow in tropical areas such as Indonesia, so the leaves are used for food. In particular, many are used as vegetables or used as vegetables, although the taste is a little bland and tends to be bitter.

Cassava plants are widely used for the results from leaves, fruit, cassava sap to the stems that can be replanted which aims to increase cassava plants.

Cassava is a plant that is commonly found in tropical countries, one of which is Indonesia. In Indonesia, there are many places and land suitable for planting cassava plants, even in Indonesia there are 10 to 20 types of cassava trees. There are butter cassava, rubber cassava etc. According to sindonews.com, August 25, 2022, Indonesia is the 5th largest cassava producing country out of these 8 countries, including:

• Nigeria

• Congo DR

• Thailand

• Ghana

• Indonesia

• Brazil

• Vietnamese

• Angola

• And there is Cambodia and Tanzania is at number 9 and 10

Besides cassava which is usually processed into food or snacks, such as fried cassava, boiled cassava chips, etc.

Even the sap on the stalk of cassava leaves can relieve the pulse after being bitten by an animal such as an insect and feels hot and painful. This once happened to my son, after he was bitten by an insect and was very throbbing. I took the cassava sap by breaking the cassava leaf stalk and the sap came out. This sap I rub on the bite marks. And the pulse immediately subsided.

For cassava leaves, they are often used as vegetables, such as boiled cassava leaves mixed with a special chili sauce. Or cassava leaves cooked in sauce using coconut milk. Very delicious eaten with warm rice, fried fish is a very fitting combination.

In the picture above there are 2 types of cassava leaves. Cassava with straight and curly leaves. In my place, these two types of cassava leaves are often used as vegetables. These two types of cassava leaves have different shapes, sizes and textures. But still have the same vitamin content, nutrition. Curly cassava leaves are softer and soften quickly when cooked. And no need to bother in cutting like other types of cassava leaves. Because the size is short and small.

Nutrient content in cassava leaves

Based on information taken from benefitdaun.com, cassava leaves contain nutrients consisting of vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, manganese, zinc and so on. In addition, cassava leaves have low levels of calories and fat. So, people who have a history of low blood pressure consume cassava leaves.

But, remember too. Excessive consumption of cassava leaves will also cause side effects.

If eaten in excess, cassava leaves can cause headaches. Both the compounds linamarin and lotaustralin can be toxins that block blood flow. Blood flow can be blocked from the head area and trigger nerve muscles to become stiff. This can cause persistent headaches.

Cassava leaves also contain purines which can increase the amount of uric acid in the blood, causing joint pain. People with high blood pressure are actually allowed to consume cassava leaves, only in moderation.

Increase cholesterol levels Some people who have high cholesterol in the blood, it is recommended to limit eating cassava leaves. Cassava leaves can increase cholesterol levels that cause blockage of blood vessels.

And another side effect is stomach pain. Excessive consumption of cassava leaves can cause stomach acid to rise. Stomach acid can increase and irritation occurs. This irritation occurs due to chemical compounds in cassava leaves that can cause stomach pain, nausea and vomiting

If you like to eat green vegetables such as spinach, kale leaf katuk consume in reasonable amounts. Because too much of anything is not good. May be useful.