The Yautia is one of the healthiest vegetables cultivated in many regions throughout the world with numerous health advantages. The scientific name of Yautia is Xanthosoma sagittifolium. It belongs to the Genus Xanthosoma, family Araceae. It is believed that Yautia is native to Northern South America, but now it is also cultivated widely all over the world for domestic and commercial purpose.

Xanthosoma sagittifolium, the arrowleaf elephant ear, the arrowleaf elephant’s ear, malanga or American taro,^[rx] is a species of tropical flowering plant in the genus Xanthosoma, which produces an edible, starchy corm. Cultivars with purple stems or leaves are also variously called blue taro, purple taro, purple stem tannia, and purple elephant’s ear among others.^[rx] Taro is a different species that belong to the genus Colocasia.^[rx]

Yautia commonly refers to the plant Xanthosoma sagittifolium, the generally cultivated species of several plants in the family Araceae which is usually grown for their corms, petioles and leaves. Yautia is native to Northern South America which is cultivated widely in various parts of the world. It is known by many local names including American Taro, Barbados Nut Eddoe, Arrowleaf Elephant’s Ear, Cocoyam, Green Arrow Elephant Ears, Elephant Ears, New Cocoyam, Malanga, Tannia, Yannia Leaf Spinach, Uyautia, Yautia, Yellow Yautia, Yautia Tannia and Yellow Ocumo.

It is a lactiferous, unarmed herb that prefers tropical and sub-tropical climates with well-drained and fertile soils. The roots are tuberous, fibrous, and fairly extensive. The fruit of this plant is a small and yellow berry. It is widely used for consumption purposes and added to various recipes.

History

Inherent to Northern South America, it extends to Mesoamerica and the Caribbean and then introduced everywhere to Asia, Africa, and the Pacific.

Firstly, it was cultivated in Tropical America which spread in the mid-1800s to Africa. It is also cultivated in the Philippines.  They are quite famous in Cuba and Puerto Rico.

It is considered as one of the oldest root crops in the world which was brought first to the Marshall Islands at the time of the Japanese administration. Within the last century, different varieties are introduced to the Marshall Islands.

Plant

Yautia is an herbaceous, stout, and perennial herb that grows up to 1.5-2 m in height. The plant has arrowhead to heart-shaped leaves which are glabrous, 90 cm long, and 60 cm wide. The leaves are thick and dark green. The stems are thick, underground, and tuberous. Tubers have dark brown-orange skin which possesses wiry hair. The flesh inside the corm is white. The spathe is 15-25 cm long whereas the spadix is 15 cm in length.

Health Benefits of Yautia

Yautia is rich in copper, vitamin B6, carbohydrates, potassium, and iron. It is considered as the lowest allergenic food which makes it a good diet for people who experience various food allergic situations. It enhances energy and maintains the level of blood sugar. It helps to maintain the gut and manages blood pressure.

1. Brain health

The pathways such as galactose and dopamine are affected by the copper. These neurotransmitters help to maintain energy, a happy mood, outlook, and focus. The deficiency of copper leads to fatigue, low metabolic activity, poor mood, and problems in concentration. Copper helps to utilize antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, Vitamin C, tyrosinase, and ascorbate oxidase. These help to prevent the damage caused by free radicals in the brain and also slows down the aging process and neurodegenerative disease.

2. Thyroid problems

Copper is essential for the function of the thyroid because it balances the activities of the thyroid by working with other minerals such as calcium, potassium, and zinc. It also prevents the health conditions such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. If any of the minerals are excessive in the body then one can suffer from thyroid which leads to weight loss or gain, fatigue, change in appetite or body temperature, and other symptoms.

3. Promote mood

The research shows that Vitamin B6 has a serious impact on the production of GABA neurotransmitters and serotonin in the brain. These hormones help to maintain the mood and prevent fatigue, pain, anxiety, and depression. So vitamin B6 helps to prevent mood disorders.

Vitamin B6 helps to produce the hormones which cure the brain diseases and mood disorders that arise from the deficiency in the neurotransmitter functions. The supplement of Vitamin B6 uplifts the mood, less pain, energy, and concentration problem.

4. Cure anemia

Vitamin B6 is essential for the production of hemoglobin in blood because the red blood cells assist in transporting oxygen to the cells and also mobilize iron. Anemia is the situation caused due to the low presence of red blood cells and results in aches, pain, and fatigue. An adequate intake of Vitamin B6 reduces the symptoms of anemia and also prevents it from developing.

5. Blood vessels

Vitamin B6 assists in the regulation of homocysteine levels in the blood. The high amount of homocysteine levels results in inflammation, heart disease, blood vessel disease that results in a heart attack.

The homocysteine that develops in the absence of vitamin B6 could damage the blood vessel linings which may lead to a stroke or heart attack. The homocysteine levels are reduced when vitamin B6 is the intake of folate. It also helps to maintain the cholesterol and blood pressure level which are the main causes that lead to heart disease.

6. Heart ailments

Potassium manages the heart activity which balances the circulation, rhythm of heartbeats, and blood pressure. The studies have shown that a diet that is rich in sodium and low in potassium contributes to hypertension, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular diseases. Potassium combines with the minerals such as magnesium and calcium which helps to prohibit the buildup of fluid in the cells. The deficiency of potassium leads to chest pains, irregular heartbeats as well as cardiac arrest.

7. Kidney ailments

The high intake of potassium reduces the chances of forming kidney stones. Kidney stones are caused due to the low presence of potassium and the opposite relationship between calcium and potassium. The excess calcium is excreted in the presence of a low level of potassium through urine which passes through the kidneys. Kidney stones are deposits of calcium that could be reduced in urine to combat kidney problems.

8. Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the deficiency of iron increases the chances of premature birth or an underweight newborn that experiences various health problems such as poor cognitive development and delay growth. The study shows that the high intake of iron reduces the chances of the underweight newborn by 8.4 percent in comparison to those who do not.

9. Enhance immunity

Vitamin B1 tones the wall muscles of the digestive tract. The digestive tract helps to absorb nutrients from the foods that enhance immunity and prevent sickness. Vitamin B1 also assists in the hydrochloric acid secretion that is vital for the digestion of food as well as nutrient absorption.

10. Detoxification

Kidneys eliminate the organic molecules in the blood. It is essential for the functioning of kidneys and eliminates waste and toxins through the urine. The digestive organs and kidneys depend upon the electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium and phosphorus to balance sodium, fat and water in the body. Phosphate is found in the body as phosphate ions by blending with other electrolytes.

Traditional uses

• The large leaves are used in Peninsular Malaysia to provide relief from fever.
• The inflorescence sap is used in Palawan to cure wounds and also as an antidote for stings and insect bites.
• It was used in northwest Amazonia to cure snake bites.

Precautions                                                                                                

• The sap of this plant could provide irritation to the skin.
• Calcium oxalate crystals are found in Yautia which could irritate the throat and mouth if it is ingested.

How to Eat         

• The shredded leaves are added to the ingredients and are cooked either by boiling, steaming, frying, or baking.
• The corm is added in soups, stews, or boiled like a potato.
• It is also used in dishes such as guanine, sancocho, alcapurrias, and mondongo.
• In Netherlands and Suriname, the shredded root is cooked in an oven with fruit juices, chicken, spices, and salted meat.
• Yautia flour is a substitute for wheat flour for making quick loaves of bread, cookies, and other items.
• Yautia is used as a thickener for stews and soups.
• The root could be peeled, sliced, and fried like chips or pureed for a cold or hot soup.
• The root of Yautia could be dried and ground to flour.
• They are boiled, baked, steamed, fried, grilled, mashed, pureed, creamed, in soups, chowders, stews, salads, and barbecued.
• The corms are peeled, dried, and ground to meal or flour to make puddings.
• Yautia is used to brew beer due to its high content of carbohydrates.

References

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