Health Benefits of Arrowroot Powder

 Arrowroot powder is the extract or starch of arrowroot or also called the obedience plant. Arrowroot means meal of meals to the Caribbean Arawak people and was their staple food. Many people believed that arrowroot got its name from its use as a wound treatment caused by poison arrows. And back in the 1850a arrowroot starch was used to make photographic printing papers.

A 100g of arrowroot floor contains 88.1g of carbohydrates, 3.4g dietary fiber 0.10g fat but only 0.3g of protein. There is 40mg of calcium, 11mg of potassium and 7mcg of folate. So there isn't much nutritional value in arrowroot. But even though it isn't very nutritious, it is easily digestible.

One of arrowroot health benefits is it doesn't contain gluten. This makes it beneficial for people with gluten intolerance. It's a good substitute for wheat floor in bakinggluten free recipe. But if you intend to buy arrowroot cookies or crackers, you have to check the ingredients. Most of them include whole wheat flour or enriched flour.

Arrowroot powder is now mainly used for thickening clear and creams sauces, gravies, soups, pie fillings, puddings and fruit fillings. Compared to corn starch, you only need to use half the amount to thicken your dish. The other advantage it has over corn starch is that the color remains clear when you add it in unlike corn starch which turns a milky or cloudy color. And it doesn't change the flavor of your dish because it is tasteless.

One of the other benefits of arrowroot is it is very low in calorie. It is almost fat-free. So adding arrowroot starch to sauces is very welcoming for diet conscious people.

Some Chinese medicine stores do sell the root. It makes a delicious soup when boiled with meat and scallops or any other ingredients. It may ease upset stomachs and diarrhea. Arrowroot paste which is a mixture of arrowroot flour with water has been used as a herbal remedy to treat gangrene, spider bites and irritation caused by smallpox.