Ethnopharmacological values of cassava and its potential for diabetes and dyslipidaemia management: knowledge survey and critical review of report

Abstract

Background:Beyond nutritional values are the pharmacological potentials of cassava comparative with other staple carbohydrate plant-based foods such as wheat. The knowledge of applicability to diabetes and its cardiovascular complications management seems not just limited but unacknowledged. As a preliminary study, a community’s knowledge of pharmacological value of cassava is investigated.Methods:Descriptive observational study using questionnaire-based “cross-sectional” survey was conducted. 136 Participants completed the survey and 101 respondents were selected for evaluation. Open-ended questions were used qualitatively to generate experience and view cassava values for diabetes and dyslipidemia. While categorical (yes or no) questions were used quantitatively to generate numerical results for diabetes, critical reanalysis of a report data was performed, especially comparing carbohydrate/fiber and fat/fiber ratios of cassava with wheat in view of dyslipidemia.Result:On the positive side, 42% of the participants believe that cassava has medicinal values. This includes 6% (among the 42) who believes that the plant is useful in treating diabetes and 24% who do not know it may be useful in diabetes management. Critical review showed that cassava may contribute up to sixteen times more fiber and four times less digestible sugar, as well as carbohydrate/fiber and fat/fiber ratios being 14 and 55 times less than wheat.Conclusion:There is evidence that relative to wheat flour meal, for instance, cassava contributes less fat and much more fiber. Since fat is pro-obesity, which in turn is pro-diabetic/metabolic syndrome; and fiber is anti-dyslipidemic; cassava has pharmacological values to be appreciated over some carbohydrate plant-based foods.

Knowledge and Beliefs about Herb/Supplement Consumption and Herb/Supplement–Drug Interactions among the General Population, including Healthcare Professionals and Pharmacists: A Systematic Review and Guidelines for a Smart Decision System

“…Most studies used a correlational/comparative design. Specifically, 37 followed a cross-sectional design [ 2 , 7 , 10 , 30 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 ] ( Table 1 ) and two followed experimental designs [ 43 , 94 ] ( Table 2 ). Three studies used qualitative methodology [ 95 , 96 , 97 ] and two used mixed-method (qualitative and quantitative) research designs [ 98 , 99 ] ( Table 1 ).…”

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz): A Systematic Review for the Pharmacological Activities, Traditional Uses, Nutritional Values, and Phytochemistry

“…49 Cassava is believed to be useful in treating snake or scorpion bites due to its bioactive chemical contents in different cultures, such as India and Papua New Guinea. 78 It is also consumed as a wheat alternative in Western cuisine for patients diagnosed with celiac disease. 79…”

“…49 Cassava is believed to be useful in treating snake or scorpion bites due to its bioactive chemical contents in different cultures, such as India and Papua New Guinea. 78 It is also consumed as a wheat alternative in Western cuisine for patients diagnosed with celiac disease. 79 Various methods of cassava utilization for food are adopted in South America and West Africa, including grating and pounding cassava tubers into a pulp, shaping them into pies or cakes, cooking in various ways, and making soups and drinks.…”

Health values of cassava compared to wheat and yam in relation to diabetes and dyslipidaemia management

“…In a previously published critical analysis, it was reported that carbohydrate or fibre and fat or fibre ratios are negligible in the raw products, but highest in wheat flour and higher in yam relative to cassava flour. 41 That is, evidence has been presented that, all things being equal, cassava flour may contribute the least fat and most fibres while yam flour follows. It was concluded that since fat is pro-obesity and pro-diabetic, while fibre is antidyslipidaemic; wheat may possess the least pharmacological values relative to the indigenous carbohydrate food crops of Delta State Nigeria.…”