Casava

Related Terms

Acetone cyanohydrins, aipim, akpu (Nigeria), alpha-galactosidase, atti?k?, balanghoy (Philippines), bankye (Twi), beta-galactosidase, cassaba, cassada, cassava, chickwangue, cu san (Vietnam), cyanide, cyanogenic glucoside, cyanogenic glycoside, cyanohydrins, farofa, foufou, fufu, gari, glucosides, glycosides, hydrogen cyanide, hydroxynitrile lyase, kamoteng kahoy (Philippines), kappa (India), kassav (Haiti), khoai m? (Vietnamese), Lactobacillus plantarum, lafun, linamarase, linamarin, lotaustralin, macaxera (Brazil), mandi?o (Paraguay), mandioca, Manihot esculenta, Manihot esculenta Crantz, Manihot esculenta Grantz, Manihot utilissima, manioc, manioca (Polynesia), maniok (Sri Lanka), manioke (Polynesia), mihogo (Swahili), mogo (Swahili), mushu (China), singkong (Indonesia), tapioca, thiocyanates, ubi kayu (Malaysia), ugburu (Nigeria), yucca, Yuccabrevifolia Engelm.
Note: Cassava is a food and is often consumed as a flour. It is found in foods such as bread, pasta, tapioca, and fufu.

Background

Cassava (also known as manioc or yucca) is a vegetable that grows in tropical countries. It is an important food source for an estimated 600 million people worldwide, especially in developing countries. Cassava is an important food during drought or famine and is believed to provide more than a third of caloric content in Africa. Cassava is a staple in the humid and subhumid areas of tropical Africa.
Cassava contains high levels of cyanic glycosides. These toxic substances are removed during processing to prevent them from being converted to hydrogen cyanide, which may cause diseases and sometimes death. Researchers are working to create a form of cassava that has reduced levels of cyanic glycosides, as well as higher nutritional value, as a way to reduce malnutrition and chronic illness in developing countries.
At this time, there are no high-quality studies that support the use of cassava for any medical condition. Some research suggests that cassava salt solutions may help rehydrate children who suffer from acute diarrhea.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Cassava salt solutions have been shown to help rehydrate children who are suffering from mild dehydration caused by acute diarrhea. These solutions are easy to make, readily available, and cheaper than the World Health Organization/Oral Rehydration Solution (WHO/ORS). However, more well-designed studies are needed before firm conclusions can be made.

 C


Cassava salt solutions have been shown to help rehydrate children who are suffering from mild dehydration caused by acute diarrhea. These solutions are easy to make, readily available, and cheaper than the World Health Organization/Oral Rehydration Solution (WHO/ORS). However, more well-designed studies are needed before firm conclusions can be made.

 C


Manioc flour, which comes from cassava, has been studied for its potential anti-inflammatory effects. However, there is a lack of evidence supporting cassava's use for this condition. Further research is needed.

 C


Manioc flour, which comes from cassava, has been studied for its potential anti-inflammatory effects. However, there is a lack of evidence supporting cassava's use for this condition. Further research is needed.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
There is no proven safe or effective dose for cassava in adults.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Cassava may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Cassava may also interact with contraceptives (birth control), iodine, and thyroid agents.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Bakare-Odunola MT, Mustapha A, Aguye, I. Effect of Nigerian meals on the pharmacokinetics of chlorpropamide in type II diabetic patients. Eur.J.Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2008;33(1):31-35.
Balakrishnan V, Unnikrishnan AG, Thomas V, et al. Chronic pancreatitis. A prospective nationwide study of 1,086 subjects from India. JOP. 2008;9(5):593-600.
Barceloux DG. Cyanogenic foods (cassava, fruit kernels, and cycad seeds). Dis.Mon. 2009;55(6):336-352.
Failla ML, Huo T, Thakkar, SK. In vitro screening of relative bioaccessibility of carotenoids from foods. Asia Pac.J.Clin.Nutr. 2008;17 Suppl 1:200-203.
Faintuch J, Horie LM, Barbeiro HV, et al. Systemic inflammation in morbidly obese subjects: response to oral supplementation with alpha-linolenic acid. Obes.Surg. 2007;17(3):341-347.
Gilani GS and Nasim A. Impact of foods nutritionally enhanced through biotechnology in alleviating malnutrition in developing countries. J.AOAC Int. 2007;90(5):1440-1444.
Ibero M, Castillo MJ, Pineda F. Allergy to cassava: a new allergenic food with cross-reactivity to latex. J.Investig.Allergol.Clin.Immunol. 2007;17(6):409-412.
Idibie CA, Davids H, Iyuke SE. Cytotoxicity of purified cassava linamarin to a selected cancer cell lines. Bioprocess.Biosyst.Eng 2007;30(4):261-269.
Mian C, Vitaliano P, Pozza D, et al. Iodine status in pregnancy: role of dietary habits and geographical origin. Clin.Endocrinol.(Oxf) 2009;70(5):776-780.
Nyirenda DB, Chiwona-Karltun L, Chitundu M, et al. Chemical safety of cassava products in regions adopting cassava production and processing--experience from Southern Africa. Food Chem.Toxicol. 2011;49(3):607-612.
Roman GC. Autism: transient in utero hypothyroxinemia related to maternal flavonoid ingestion during pregnancy and to other environmental antithyroid agents. J.Neurol.Sci. 11-15-2007;262(1-2):15-26.
Sautter C, Poletti S, Zhang P, et al. Biofortification of essential nutritional compounds and trace elements in rice and cassava. Proc.Nutr.Soc. 2006;65(2):153-159.
Sidibe H. [Reflections on mental retardation and congenital hypothyroidism: effects of trace mineral deficiencies]. Sante 2007;17(1):41-50.
Siritunga D and Sayre R. Transgenic approaches for cyanogen reduction in cassava. J.AOAC Int. 2007;90(5):1450-1455.
Thomson JA. The role of biotechnology for agricultural sustainability in Africa. Philos.Trans.R.Soc.Lond B Biol.Sci. 2-27-2008;363(1492):905-913.