Arrowroot is a starch obtained from a root system of several tropical plants, traditionally Maranta arundinacea, but also Florida arrowroot from Zamia pumila. It can be consumed in the form of biscuits, puddings, jellies, cakes, hot sauces, and also with beef tea, milk or veal broth.

Here are the 7 health benefits of arrowroot.

1.     Arrowroot can help you sleep better.

Arrowroot has been known to help an individual sleep with its high content of magnesium, which is a mineral that is directly linked to improving the quality, duration, and tranquility of sleep. Arrowroot also helps regulate the metabolism to help reduce sleep disorders and the occurrence of insomnia.

2.     Arrowroot can contribute to maintaining a healthy blood pressure.

Arrowroot has an incredibly high potassium to sodium ratio. One cup of arrowroot contains 545 milligrams of potassium, compared to 31.2 milligrams of sodium. This helps the blood vessels relax and maintains proper blood pressure, especially for individuals with hypertension.

3.     Arrowroot can contribute to improving kidney health.

Arrowroot contains a substantial amount of potassium, which is very helpful for cleaning or washing out the toxic depositions in the kidneys.

4.     Arrowroot can help strengthen your heart.

Elevated levels of homocysteine are a risk factor for heart attack, stroke, or peripheral vascular disease and are found in between approximately 30 percent of patients with heart disease. The folate in arrowroot lowers the levels of homocysteine in the blood. Arrowroot is rich in magnesium. This mineral helps the blood vessels relax and improves blood flow in the body.

5.     Arrowroot is loaded with B-vitamin components.

Arrowroot is a good source of B-vitamin complex elements like riboflavin and niacin. Niacin has been known to increase an individual’s “good” cholesterol and reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems. A deficiency of niacin leads to Pellagra - a disease characterized by diarrhea, dementia, dermatitis, and insomnia.

Also, arrowroot contains folate, which can help the body produce healthy red blood cells and prevents anemia. Folate is also essential for aiding rapid cell division and growth, such as during infancy and pregnancy. A deficiency of folate in pregnant women can lead to the birth of underweight infants and may also result in neural tube defects in newborns.

6.     Arrowroot can assist in red blood cell formation.

Copper and iron are essential for new blood cell formation. A deficiency in iron can lead to anemia, fatigue, and muscular weakness.

7.     Arrowroot can help improve brain functioning.

The amount of iron in arrowroot lead to increased hemoglobin production and increases blood flow. Proper amounts of oxygen and iron in the brain lead to increased cognitive performance and a decrease in cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.