The rhizome (stem) of Lotus is called kamal kakdi or bhein or bhey in Hindi, is used as a vegetable , in soups, deep-fried, stir-fried, and braised dishes and making kabab . The roots are also used in traditional Asian herbal medicine. About Lotus Stem Lotus stem is generally round, and white to light green. It contains hollow air cubicles that run the length of the stem. The vegetable has a mild, slightly sweet flavor and is suitable for eating raw or cooked. You might see this vegetable raw in salads, pickled or cooked into curries and stir-fried with pork or seafood. Health benefits of Lotus stem ------------- 1. Lotus stem is one of low calorie root vegetables. 100 g root provides 74 calories. The stem, nevertheless, composed of several health benefiting phyto-nutrients, minerals and vitamins. 2.Lotus rhizome is very good source dietary fibers; 100 g flesh provides 4.9 g or 13% of daily-requirement of dietary fiber. The fiber, together with slow digesting complex carbohydrates in the root help reduce blood cholesterol, sugar, body weight and constipation conditions. 3.Lotus stem is one of the excellent sources of vitamin C. 100 g root provides 44 mg or 73% of daily-recommended values. 4.In addition, it contains moderate levels of some of valuable B-complex group of vitamins such as pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), folates, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, and thiamin. Pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) acts as coenzyme in the neuro-chemical synthesis in the brain which influence mood. Adequate pyridoxine levels help control nervous irritability, headache, and tension. It also protects heart-attack risk by controlling harmful homocysteine levels in the blood. 5.Further, the stem provides healthy amounts of some important minerals like copper, iron, zinc, magnesium, and manganese. Along with iron, it is also required in the production of red blood cells. 6.Crunchy sweet and delicate flavor of stem lotus is due to its optimum balance in electrolyte levels. It composes very good sodium to potassium ratio at the value 1:4. While sodium gives sweet taste to the stem, potassium acts to counter negative effects of sodium by regulating heart rate and blood pressure.
Posted on: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 06:26:04 +0000
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