The Essential Guide to Taro: The Anatomy of a Kalo Plant

Learn the parts of the taro plant and find out all the power-packed health benefits of eating it.

diagram resource: uh college of tropical agriculture and human resources

Taro Power

Gluten-free and high in fiber, taro is low in fat and its leaves are rich in vitamin A. Just one cup of cooked taro contains:

• 6.7g fiber
• 439mg potassium
• 3x more fiber than white potato
• 40mg magnesium
• Antioxidants! including cryptoxanthin and beta-carotene

That translates into power-packed health benefits. Taro can reduce the risk of diabetes and improve digestive health. It regulates insulin and glucose levels in your body, and prevents blood sugar from spiking. Fiber from taro can also help add bulk to get you going. Antioxidants keep free radicals at bay, improving vision health and reducing the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. Taro’s significant levels of potassium help facilitate healthy fluid transfers between membranes and tissues throughout the body. This helps to relieve stress and pressure on blood vessels and arteries.

Taro is high in carbohydrates, so don’t overdo it. Like all things, eat taro in moderation.

SEE ALSO: 

• The Essential Guide to Taro: Where to Buy Poi in Hawai‘i
• The Essential Guide to Taro: How to Volunteer at a Lo‘i
• The Essential Guide to Taro: 12 Local Dishes That Showcase the Versatility of Kalo
• The Essential Guide to Taro: Three Farms Connecting Culture with Community
• The Essential Guide to Taro: How Kalo is Eaten Around the World