Lotus is herbaceous, perennial aquatic plant belonging to Nelumbonaceae family. Scientific name: Nelumbo nucifera. 

It is popular as renkon in the Japan. Since centuries, lotus has held high esteem in the far East regions, especially in Chinese and Japanese cultures.

<Health benefits>

-Lotus root is one of the moderate calorie root vegetables. 100 g root-stem provides about 74 calories. Nevertheless, it composed of several health benefiting 

phyto-nutrients, minerals, and vitamins.

-Lotus rhizome is very good source dietary fiber; 100 g flesh provides 4.9 g or 13% of daily-requirement of fiber. Dietary fiber together with slow digesting 

complex carbohydrates in the lotus root help reduce blood cholesterol, sugar, body weight and constipation conditions.

-Fresh lotus root is one of the excellent sources of vitamin C. 100 g root provides 44 mg or 73% of daily-recommended values. Vitamin C is a powerful 

water soluble anti-oxidant. 

-It is required for the collagen synthesis inside the human body. Collagen is the main structural protein inside the body, required for maintaining integrity of 

blood vessels, skin,organs, and bones. Regular consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps the body protect from scurvy, develop resistance against viral

 infections, boosting of immunity, wound healing and to scavenge cancer causing harmful free radicals from the body.

-In addition, the root contains moderate levels of some of valuable B-complex group of vitamins such as pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), folates, niacin, riboflavin, 

pantothenic acid, and thiamin. 

Pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) acts as a coenzyme in the neuro-chemical synthesis in the brain which influences mood. Adequate pyridoxine levels help 

control nervous irritability, headache, and tension. It also cuts heart-attack risk by controlling harmful homocysteine levels in the blood.

-Further, the root provides healthy amounts of some important minerals like copper, iron, zinc, magnesium, and manganese. Copper is a cofactor for many 

vital enzymes, including cytochrome c- oxidase and superoxide dismutase (other minerals function as cofactors for this enzyme are manganese and zinc). 

Along with iron, it is also required in the production of red blood cells.

-Crunchy, neutral yet delicate flavor of root lotus is because of its optimum electrolyte balance. It composes agreeable ratio of sodium to potassium at the 

value 1:4. While  sodium gives sweet taste to the root, potassium acts to counter negative effects of sodium by regulating heart rate and blood pressure.