The Benefits of Cassava for Treating Cancer Are Still Dubious

So far, some people believe that the benefits of cassava in the medical world are as a cure for prostate and bladder cancer. In fact, there is not enough scientific evidence to support that statement. In tropical and subtropical countries, cassava is widely cultivated as an annual plant. In some developing countries like Indonesia, cassava is an important source of carbohydrates, after rice and corn. There are also countries that make it the main staple food.

What are the Cassava Content?

Cassava is a food ingredient that contains carbohydrates, calories, and protein. The benefits of cassava can also be obtained by the nutritional content of thiamine, folate, fiber, potassium, vitamin C, phosphorus, calcium, and niacin. The body needs carbohydrates like those in cassava as the main source of energy for the body. Before being absorbed by the body, carbohydrates are broken down into glucose (sugars). After that, the hormone insulin helps glucose to be absorbed by body cells. Glucose is finally used as fuel for the body to perform various daily activities. The remaining glucose will be converted to glycogen. This substance will be utilized by the muscles of the body and liver. Any excess glucose that is not used can be converted into fat. This energy reserve will be stored in the long term. The types of carbohydrates found in cassava include complex carbohydrates that have a good impact on health. Cassava is also rich in starch which is useful for feeding good bacteria in the stomach. So, cassava can be beneficial to support digestive tract health.

Relationship of Cassava with Prostate Cancer and Bladder Cancer

What about the assumption that cassava can help cure prostate and bladder cancer? Before looking deeper into the benefits of cassava, we first look at the discussion of these diseases.

• Prostate cancer

The prostate is a gland near the male vital organs. Its function is as a producer of fluid that nourishes and sends sperm. Prostate cancer usually grows slowly and rarely spreads to other organs. However, there are also types of prostate cancer whose growth and spread is very fast. The rapid growth and how far the spread of prostate cancer will determine the type of therapy the patient needs.

• Bladder cancer

Bladder cancer occurs when cells in the bladder grow abnormally, very rapidly, and are out of control. Cancer in this part usually starts in the lining of the bladder. These abnormal cells can spread to the bladder muscle wall and to other organs that are farther away, such as lymph nodes, liver and lungs.

In addition to surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, there are other ways in the treatment of prostate and bladder cancer, namely immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is a treatment that utilizes the immune system to treat diseases. In addition, hormone therapy is also one of the treatments for prostate cancer. Then what about the benefits of cassava? Although cassava was heralded as a cure for prostate and bladder cancer, it was not supported by clear scientific evidence. Not only is there no evidence of its effectiveness and safety, cassava can even be dangerous if consumed in excess according to a medical report. The report states the claim that the benefits of cassava can treat cancer because of the content of linamarin and lotaustralin glucosides, which then triggers the production of vitamin B-17 or amygdaline. Vitamin B-17 is claimed to kill cancer cells. Apart from these claims, a well-known cancer association states there is not enough scientific evidence that cassava or tapioca flour is effective for preventing or treating cancer. Another report also shows that the serum PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) which is high in prostate cancer sufferers does not experience improvement, instead it is increasing even though some prostate cancer sufferers have routinely consumed cassava. Therefore the benefits of cassava for cancer are still not reliable. Even so, you can still take advantage of cassava as an important source of carbohydrates to fuel the body in carrying out daily activities. Of course in moderation. Raw cassava contains cyanide which is a dangerous poison for the body, therefore limit consumption of cassava so that it is not excessive. Don't forget to peel the cassava skin, wash it clean and soak it for several hours then cook it at a high temperature to prevent the harmful effects of cassava.