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      Cassava

      Cassava intolerance may be due to its resistant starch, cyanogenic compounds, or fiber content. Avoid it for 8 weeks, try supplements like probiotics or digestive enzymes, and retest. Potatoes or plantains are excellent alternatives.

      🌿 What Is Cassava?

      Cassava, also known as yuca, is a starchy root vegetable widely consumed in tropical regions. It’s a staple food used to make tapioca, cassava flour, and chips. Cassava is rich in carbohydrates, vitamin C, and resistant starch but low in protein and fat.

      🤔 Why Do I Have an Intolerance to Cassava?

      Sensitivity to cassava may result from:

      • Resistant Starch: Cassava contains a high amount of resistant starch, which can ferment in the gut and cause gas or bloating in sensitive individuals.
      • Natural Cyanogenic Compounds: Raw cassava contains cyanogenic glycosides that can convert to cyanide if not properly processed or cooked, potentially causing adverse reactions.
      • Cross-Reactivity: Individuals sensitive to other starchy root vegetables (e.g., sweet potatoes or yams) may also react to cassava.
      • High Carbohydrate Content: Cassava’s dense starch may overwhelm digestion in individuals with sensitive stomachs or carbohydrate malabsorption.

      🛠️ What Can I Do About It?

      • Avoid cassava and products derived from it, like tapioca or cassava flour, for 8 weeks to allow symptoms to subside.
      • Carefully read food labels, as cassava is often used in gluten-free products and snacks.
      • Gradually reintroduce cassava after 8 weeks and monitor for symptoms before retesting.

      💊 Which Supplements Can Help?

      • Digestive Enzymes: Assist in breaking down starches in cassava, reducing bloating or discomfort.
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      • Probiotics: Improve gut microbiome balance and reduce fermentation-related gas caused by resistant starch.
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      • Activated Charcoal: Helps alleviate bloating and gas associated with poorly digested starches.
      • L-Glutamine: Repairs gut lining and soothes inflammation from food sensitivities.
        glutamine_powder

      🌟 Why Might I Have an Intolerance to Cassava but Not Other Starchy Vegetables?

      • Resistant Starch Levels: Cassava contains a higher concentration of resistant starch than other root vegetables like potatoes.
      • Cyanogenic Compounds: Cassava’s natural toxins (removed during cooking) may still trigger reactions in some individuals.
      • Fiber Content: The fiber in cassava may irritate sensitive digestive systems more than softer starchy vegetables like squash.
      • Processing Effects: Cassava is often processed into flour or tapioca, concentrating certain compounds that might not be present in other starchy vegetables.

      🍽️ Popular Dishes and Alternatives

      Dishes:

      • Cassava fries or chips
      • Cassava flour bread
      • Tapioca pudding
      • Boiled or mashed cassava

      Alternatives (if tolerated):

      • Potatoes
      • Sweet potatoes
      • Butternut squash
      • Plantains