Jicama Nutrition
| Nutrient | Amount | Daily Value |
| Calories | 139 | 7.00% |
| Carbohydrates | 32.2 g | 11.00% |
| Protein | 2.6 g | 5.00% |
| Fiber | 17.9 g | 72.00% |
Full Answer
Is jicama good for your health?
The answer is yes, it gives benefit like:
- Jicama can reduce the production of stomach acid. Jicima has alkaline properties which serve as cooling or absorbing stomach acid quickly.
- Jicama good be consumed by people with diabetes. ...
- Jicama can treat mouth ulcer and as an antioxidant. ...
- Jicama can facilitate digestion. ...
- Jicama can nourish the bones and teeth. ...
Is jicama high in carbs?
Jicama, like other root vegetables, is a relatively high-fiber and low-carb vegetable. How many net carbs are in 1 cup of jicama? Jicama contains many important vitamins and minerals, as well as a significant amount of fiber. In fact, one cup (130 grams) contains the following nutrients (3): Calories: 49. Carbs: 12 grams.
What the Heck DO I do with jicama?
• Cut the jicama into bite-sized chunks, then toss with avocado, chopped fennel root and red onion for a salad. Dress with olive oil, lime juice and cilantro. • Slice the jicama into thin ...
Is jicama healthy for diabetics?
Jicama has low sugar and carbohydrates and has a high content of fiber and water. According to some of the researches, it is concluded that eating jicama can help reduce blood sugar level, which is very good for a person with diabetes; improve the sensitivity of insulin and helps one feel fuller for a longer period of time.
Is jicama a Superfood?
Jicama (pronounced hee-kah-ma) is the next superfood that should have a place on your plate! This root vegetable has been a staple of the Mexican and Central American diet for centuries. It was cultivated by the Mayan and Aztec civilizations as an important food source.
Is jicama good for diabetics?
Jicama is a starchy root vegetable similar to a potato or turnip. The tuberous root tastes slightly sweet, but it is low in sugar, making it a good carbohydrate choice for people with diabetes and others attempting a low-sugar diet.
How much jicama can you eat?
You can enjoy a cup (130g) of sliced jicama for just under 50 calories while getting 6.4g toward your daily fiber needs. (More on why that's important in a minute.) Water-rich foods are also easy ways to help avoid dehydration, especially if you get bored trying to log enough water each day.
What part of jicama is toxic?
Jicama is a root vegetable that originated in Mexico and is equal parts toxic and edible. The white flesh of this starchy tuber is a sweet, nourishing treat, but its skin, seeds, and roots are poisonous to humans.
What happens if you eat too much jicama?
Jicama contains huge fiber content and so excessive consumption leads to digestive disorders like constipation and stomach ache. It is not advisable for people to eat the outer peels of jicama as it contains a highly toxic compound.
Is it okay to eat jicama everyday?
Jicama is a healthy food to include in your diet. It's high in several nutrients, fiber and antioxidants, which may provide health benefits, including improved digestion, weight loss and a reduced risk of disease. Plus, jicama is tasty and crunchy and can be eaten by itself or paired with many other foods.
Is it better to eat jicama raw or cooked?
Though most often eaten raw, such as chopped into salads, jicama can be steamed, boiled, sautéed or fried. And so long as you don't overcook it, jicama retains its pleasantly crisp texture (think fresh apple) when cooked. The flavor is on the neutral side, with a hint of starchy sweetness.
Should jicama be refrigerated?
It is essential that the tubers remain dry; store unwrapped at cool room temperatures, or in the refrigerator, free from moisture, for 2 to 3 weeks. Once cut, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and store refrigerated for up to one week. Each pound of jicama yields about 3 cups chopped or shredded vegetable.
What is the best way to eat jicama?
How to Eat Jicama. The best way to eat jicama is just to peel it and cut it into matchsticks then eat it raw. It's very good when refrigerated for a little extra coolness too. A classic way to eat it is to dip the matchsticks in lime juice, chili powder, and salt.
Is jicama a fruit or a vegetable?
Jicama is a root vegetable with thick, brown skin. It's white inside and tastes like an apple but not as sweet.
Is jicama good for kidneys?
Jicama is a great choice for renal patients following a kidney diet because it is low in sodium, potassium and phosphorus. It's also a good source of dietary fiber.
Is jicama acidic or alkaline?
Jicama is alkaline. What is the pH level of jicama? Jicama has an 8.0 pH level once digested.
How big can jicama grow?
It's crisp and slightly sweet, like an apple. But jicama doesn't brown like an apple after you cut it. These bad boys can grow up to 50 pounds! But don't worry about heaving one into your car at the farmer's market. The small ones are the best to eat.
What does jicama taste like?
Jicama is a root vegetable with thick, brown skin. It's white inside and tastes like an apple but not as sweet. It’s a bit like a potato but with a lot fewer carbs. The jicama plant grows mostly in Mexico and Central America on a long vine. But the part you eat is the root.
What is the best vitamin for a brain?
Vitamin B-6. Jicama has this key vitamin, which supports your brain and nerves, forms red blood cells, and turns protein into energy. Antioxidants. Jicama has several of these compounds, which help prevent cell damage.
Is jicama healthier than potatoes?
Jicama's Health Benefits. Tater twin. People often compare jicama to potatoes because their flesh is similar. But jicama is much healthier and has far fewer carbohydrates. Fun way to get fiber. Instead of an apple, peel and slice a jicama and dip it in a nut butter.
Is jicama good for blood sugar?
Safe for blood sugar. If you're watching your blood sugar and insulin, jicama is a safe snack. It has carbs, but they have a low glycemic load, which means the carbs don't affect your blood sugar very much. Only the flesh of the root vegetable itself is safe to eat.
Is jicama poisonous?
Jicama’s skin, stem, leaves, and seeds are poisonous. ● Choose a jicama that's small, heavy, and firm and has smooth skin. ● Wash it well and cut off any roots. ● Use a paring knife or vegetable peeler to remove the skin completely, including the paper-like layer underneath.
Does jicama help with heart health?
Boosts heart health. Jicama has dietary fiber, which may lower cholesterol levels. Prebiotic. Jicama is rich in a type of prebiotic fiber that helps restore the good bacteria in your gut. Helps with hydration. Jicama is 85% water. Use it to help you stay hydrated, especially when it's hot outside.
Why is raw jicama good for you?
Most people don’t eat enough prebiotics, so including more raw jicama in your diet is one way to help up your intake and foster protection against cell mutations and tumor growth within the digestive organs. 4. Benefits Heart Health.
What is a jicama?
How to Cook. Recipes. Jicama (also called yambean) is a type of bulbous root vegetable that many people describe as being a cross between an apple and a turnip.
What does jicama taste like?
It looks much like a turnip but has a taste and feel closer to an apple. If you’re familiar with Asian pears or water chestnuts used in Asian cooking, you can imagine jicama feeling and tasting pretty similar — with a crisp, somewhat juicy, white interior.
How long to boil jicama for fries?
Peel jicama root and cut into pieces or about 1/4 inch matchsticks to make “fries.”. If making boiled pieces, bring water to boil over medium heat and cook for 10 minutes until jicama is less crunchy. Drain and toss with ingredients like olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, etc.
How to make jicama salad?
Make a jicama salad using thin slices like you would of fennel, mixed with other greens. Thinly slicing pieces of jicama with a mandolin slicer to make jicama fries, or lightly baking wide slices to make jicama tortillas or chips. Add it raw to homemade salsa, or use jicama chip in place of corn chips.
Where is jicama used?
Called a “Mexican turnip” or yambean in some parts of the world, jicama is used in many cuisines around the world, including in the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia.
Is jicama a good source of fiber?
Benefits. 1. Great Source of Prebiotic Fibers. Although it’s a root veggie, jicama is surprisingly low in starch, sugar and carbs compared to other vegetables like potatoes, turnips, beets and rutabaga.
How much vitamin C is in jicama?
Just 1-cup, or 130-g serving of raw jicama contains 26.3 milligrams ( mg) of vitamin C. Trusted Source. . According to the U.S. Office of Dietary Supplements. Trusted Source. , the recommended daily intake of vitamin C for adults is 90 mg for males and 75 mg for females.
How much fiber is in jicama?
A 1-cup or 130-gram ( g) serving of raw jicama contain 6.4 g of dietary fiber. . According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), most Americans do not get enough fiber. The recommended daily intake of dietary fiber is 25 g a day for females and 38 g for males.
What are the benefits of probiotics?
link probiotics with a range of health benefits, including improved gut health and a lower risk of certain infections. Prebiotics are a type of fiber that the body cannot digest. Prebiotics support the growth of probiotics by providing them with food. Jicama is rich in inulin. , a type of prebiotic fiber.
Is jicama a carbohydrate?
The tuberous root tastes slightly sweet, but it is low in sugar, making it a good carbohydrate choice for people with diabetes and others attempting a low-sugar diet. Originally from Mexico, the jicama is sometimes also known as a Mexican turnip or yam bean.
Is jicama good for weight loss?
Jicama is low in calories but dense in nutrients. This makes it an ideal choice for people wishing to lose weight while still getting a healthful balance of vitamins and minerals.
Is jicama good for diabetes?
This means that eating jicama as part of a healthful and balanced diet may help to prevent spikes in blood sugar levels, which may make it a good choice for people with diabetes.
Is jicama safe to eat?
Safety. For people interested in trying jicama, it is essential to know that only the root vegetable is safe to eat. The rest of the plant, including the beans and flowers, contain rotenone. Rotenone is a natural insecticide that is toxic to humans, especially in large doses. Research suggests.
Why is jicama good for you?
1. Boosts immunity and prevents cancer. The inulin fiber in jicama help balance the growth of bacteria in the digestive tract. This is important because more than 75% of the immune system is housed in the gastrointestinal tract. Basically, proper immunity depends a lot on the balance of bacteria in the gut.
How much vitamin C is in jicama?
In comparison, when jicama is cooked, it contains only 3.9 milligrams of vitamin C, and only trace amounts of carbs, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, manganese, and selenium. The following is a detailed nutrition chart with information for 1 small raw jicama, ...
How many grams of fiber is in jicama?
Well, it is absolutely loaded with nutrition, especially when eaten raw. One small raw jicama contains 32.2 grams of carbs, 17.9 grams of fiber, and 2.6 grams of protein. It also contains a nice mix of micronutrients, but it is especially high in vitamin C as it contains 73.7 milligrams and over 100% of the recommended daily intake.
Where is jicama popular?
Today, it is quite popular in China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and other parts of Southeast Asia. In the Philippines, it is often pickled in rice vinegar and salt.
Is jicama good for digestion?
Benefits digestion. One small raw jicama is good for 72% of your recommended daily intake of fiber. Although inulin fructans ferment in the gut, they also produce higher populations of bacteria like bifidobacteria. Dietary fiber like inulin fructans are very digestible.
Does jicama help with immunity?
Basically, proper immunity depends a lot on the balance of bacteria in the gut. A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition in 2005 suggests that prebiotic plant foods with inulin-type fructans like jicama, contain chemo-protective properties capable of reducing the risk of colon cancer.
Is jicama a root vegetable?
Jicama (pronounced hee-cama) is a unique bulbous root vegetable that people describe as having a taste similar to an apple, but a texture like a turnip. However, when eaten raw, it has nearly 10 times the vitamin C than apples. It is also very low in starch, carbs, and sugar compared to other root vegetables like turnips.
How much fiber is in jicama?
Jicama’s rich in complex carbohydrates and an excellent source of fiber. In one cup, you’ll get almost 7 grams of fiber — nearly ¼ of the official recommended minimum intake for the day.
What is jicama used for?
Jicama has a starchy, sweet, nutty flavor that complements the flavors of many foods. And it works well in salads, savory dishes, and even some sweet ones. Jicama is sold by street vendors in Latin America, where people often enjoy it raw. Sometimes they’ll sprinkle it with a bit of lemon juice and cayenne pepper.
How long does jicama stay fresh?
Here, it can stay fresh for up to two months. Of course, the best way to store jicama is not to. Bring it home and start using it right away!
Where can I find jicama?
Inside, you’ll find a juicy, crunchy, white starch similar in texture to a crisp pear or water chestnut. Native to Mexico, jicama is also grown abundantly in parts of Asia and the Philippines where it benefits from a long growing season without frost. It can also be grown in USDA zones 7 through 10 in the United States.
Does jicama help with cholesterol?
Improves Heart Health: By helping to lower blood sugar spikes and improve insulin sensitivity, jicama also reduces your risk for cardiovascular disease. The fiber in jicama can help lower inflammation, reduce LDL cholesterol levels, and lower blood pressure.
Is jicama good for diabetes?
Jicama also has unique properties that can be beneficial for diabetes and blood glucose management . A 2016 study in mice found that six weeks of jicama extract administration significantly reduced blood sugar and Hgb A1c levels, and increased insulin sensitivity.
Is jicama a staple food?
Jicama may not be on your list of regularly consumed vegetables, but perhaps it should be! It’s been a staple food in Central America for a long time, and with good reason. Once you discover its many health benefits, and how to eat it in a variety of delicious ways, you’ll wonder why jicama is so unsung and uncommon in most of North America.
What is the nutritional value of jicama?
Jicama also contains plenty of potassium, magnesium and calcium all of which play a very important role in many bodily functions. Eating jicama will provide you with a great supply of vitamin B6 which helps support brain function and fight invasion from antibodies.
Why is jicama good for you?
Because jicama contains high amounts of iron and copper, it is great for improving your circulatory health. Iron and copper are especially important for building healthy red blood cells and can help prevent conditions like anemia.
What is the role of vitamin C in the body?
As we all know, vitamin C plays a crucial role in immune system health and protection against illnesses from bacteria, viruses, fungus and other pathogens . Vitamin C is also a natural antioxidant that combats the damaging effects caused by the so called free radicals that we encounter constantly.
What is a yam bean?
Known scientifically as Pachyrhizys eorosus, the vegetable is often referred to as Yam Bean or Mexican yam and is used in a variety of tasty recipes from stews to salads. If you are unfamiliar with jicama, then it can be a little bit confusing and perhaps even intimidating.
Why is it important to have a healthy digestive system?
A healthy digestive tract is absolutely essential to your overall feelings of health and wellbeing and can help you deal with bloating, pain, diarrhea and indigestion. It may even help you lose some weight while evidence links fiber consumption to a reduced risk of diseases from cancer to heart disease.
What minerals are in jicama?
The rich variety of essential minerals found in jicama includes magnesium, copper and iron that can help bolster mineral density in your bones. Not only do these minerals help keep the bones strong and healthy but they can also contribute to the growth of new bones and help heal injured bones.
Is jicama a sweet or a sour?
Jicama is high in a particular form of soluble fiber – oligofructose inulin – a sweet type of carbohydrate which is not metabolized into simple sugar. This makes jicama a perfect choice for diabetics who need some sweet produce without the worry of blood sugar fluctuations that may otherwise occur.
How many calories are in jicama?
Jicama is one of the very low-calorie root vegetables. It holds only 35 calories per 100 g. Nonetheless, its high-quality phyto-nutrition profile comprises dietary fiber and antioxidants in addition to small proportions of minerals and vitamins.
How much does a jicama weigh?
Inside, its white starchy flesh has a crispy texture and fruit-like delicious, sweet flavor. Each tuber weighs about 250 to 1200 g.
What is jicama salad?
Jicama salad. Photo courtesy: Rex roof. Raw jicama has sweet, succulent apple like fruity taste. In many parts of Mexico, fresh tubers are cut into cubes/sticks and sprinkled with lime juice, salt and dressed with olive oil and paprika or ground chili pepper and enjoyed!
What is the vitamin C in yam bean tubers?
Vitamin-C is a powerful water soluble antioxidant that helps body scavenge harmful free radicals, thereby offers protection from cancers, inflammation and viral cough and cold.
How long do jicamas last?
Once at home, jicamas can be stored much like potatoes. They have a good shelf life and keep well in a cool, dry, dark place for about 2-4 weeks. Exposure to a temperature below 10 °C results in chill-induced changes in color and texture.
Where is jicama grown?
Its underground starchy root is one of the popular edible tuber-vegetables grown in many parts of Central American, South Asia, the Caribbean, and some Andean South American regions. Its refreshing, crispy ice-white, fruit-flavored tuber can be eaten raw ...
Is jicama a vegetable?
It then can be cut into cubes, sliced, or chopped into fine strips in the ways desired. Fresh jicama is used much like a vegetable and is an important starch source in much of Central America.
What juices are good with jicama?
Jicama juice tastes very mild and sweet; and it mixes well with most green juices and juices of other root vegetables, like lotusroot, carrot, beetroot. This is one of my favorite juice recipe using jicama which is very alkalizing and a great immune booster. Some of the links I post on this site are affiliate links.
How long does it take to eat jicama?
Store jicama in a cool and dry place. Keep sliced jicama in a plastic bag in an airtight container and consume within two days to get the most out of it.
What is jicama pronounced as?
It can be consumed either raw or cooked (but best eaten raw for its optimum health benefits). Jicama is pronounced as hee-ka-ma. It is also known by names like yam bean, Mexican water chestnut, Mexican potato, Mexican turnip, yacon and sengkuang.
Is jicama good for blood?
There is a good balance of sodium and potassium present in jicama, making it useful for alkalizing the blood. Minerals in this vegetable are calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese and zinc.
Does jicama help with asthma?
Breathlessness and asthma: Jicama contains high anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that are helpful for relieving breathlessness and asthma. Bruising and swelling: Deficiency of vitamin C can cause bruising and swelling problems for some people. So eating jicama helps reduce deficiency problems that result in easy bruising and swelling.