What type of fruit is jicama

Jicama is a nutrient-dense food that is low in calories and high in fiber and water. Studies show that eating jicama can decrease blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity and help you feel full longer.

There are many different ways to eat jicama. It can be eaten plain, with a dip, or incorporated into dishes like salads and stir-fries. Given all of the benefits that jicama has to offer, you should consider incorporating it into your diet.

Fiber is indigestible material found in foods. Studies show that fiber has various health benefits, including weight loss and improved digestive…. This article reviews how many servings of fruit you should eat per day. Fruit is nutritious and healthy, but some people are worried about the sugar…. Vegetables are nutritious and healthy.

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Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Here are 8 health and nutrition benefits of jicama. Packed With Nutrients. Share on Pinterest. High in Antioxidants. Summary Jicama is a good source of antioxidants like vitamin C. May Boost Heart Health. Jicama also contains potassium, which helps lower blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels. Summary Jicama contains dietary fiber, potassium, iron, copper and nitrate, which may benefit heart health by lowering cholesterol levels, reducing blood pressure and improving circulation.

Promotes Digestion. Summary Jicama contains high amounts of dietary fiber and water, both of which promote healthy bowel movements. Good for Your Gut Bacteria. Jicama is high in inulin, which is a prebiotic fiber. Summary Jicama contains a type of prebiotic fiber that feeds beneficial gut bacteria.

May Reduce the Risk of Cancer. Additionally, jicama contains a prebiotic fiber called inulin. Summary Jicama contains antioxidants, fiber and prebiotics, all of which have been shown to protect against certain types of cancer. May Aid Weight Loss. Instead, the glucose stays in your bloodstream, raising your blood sugar levels. Summary Jicama is a nutrient-dense food that is low in calories and high in fiber and water.

Extremely Versatile. Jicama , along with sunchokes , packs a prebiotic called inulin, a big contributor to a healthier gut. In addition, jicama is rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin A. Lastly, jicama is naturally low in calories, making it a smart starchy substitute for those watching their weight. Find jicama year-round in the produce section of most supermarkets and Latin American markets.

Select firm, dry jicama roots. The skin should not appear shriveled, bruised, or blemished. Once purchased, keep jicama unpeeled in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

To prep jicama before cooking, remove the skin with a vegetable peeler, then cut the white flesh into cubes or strips with a sharp knife. No need to worry about oxidizing—jicama does not brown or become soggy after cutting.

Quick-cooking methods such as grilling or stir-frying allow jicama to maintain its crispness—try tossing it in a wok full of veggies or mark it on the grill for char. This salad is brimming with color and texture from juicy citrus, creamy avocado, and crisp jicama. In North America, however, the tuber is less popular and can leave many scratching their heads at what to make of it. After all, it looks like a deflated beach ball with bark-like skin. But for both taste and nutrition, jicama has a lot going for it.

OK, so jicama might not win any veggie beauty pageants or have the same cache of nutrients as does kale, but it definitely has some nutritional highlights. Research also suggests that higher intakes of vitamin C could help keep blood pressure numbers from boiling over.

On the other hand, the athletes with more vitamin C in their systems had higher VO2 max values that can translate into better workout performance. This is an important perk considering that eating more fiber is a key component to a long, healthy life. A special type of fiber in jicama called inulin acts as a prebiotic, meaning that the beneficial critters in your digestive tract view it like candy, something they love to nosh on and in doing so, can flourish to help bolster your digestive and immune health.

It would be fair to say that its flavor is like a cross between an apple and a water chestnut. Look for jicama year-round in the produce section of some supermarkets and definitely in Latin food markets. Many Asian grocers also stock jicama. You want to buy firm, dry roots.