Tapioca starch, also known as tapioca flour, derived from the cassava root, is a popular ingredient known for its versatility and health-friendly qualities.

Commonly used in cooking and baking, it offers more than just texture and thickness — it provides several practical and nutritional advantages.

Below are some of the key benefits of using tapioca starch.

1. Supports natural weight control

In tapioca starch, there is a special type of carbohydrate called resistant starch – a type of starch that is not digested in the small intestine like regular starch.

This resistant starch will go straight to the large intestine, where it becomes a food source for beneficial bacteria. When fermented, they create short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate, acetate, propionate – these substances can increase satiety, reduce inflammation, promote metabolism and support food intake control.

Therefore, if you are in the weight loss phase, you can add 1 cup of diluted tapioca starch every day to your diet, drink 30 minutes before the main meal to help reduce cravings, support more effective energy control.

2. Cool and detoxify the body from the inside

Tapioca starch is known as a cool food, helping to purify the body on hot days.

When diluted, tapioca starch has good water retention capacity, while providing beneficial minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium… to help regulate body temperature and reduce the feeling of heat in the body.

If your body is in a state of mouth ulcers, acne, or feels uncomfortably hot, you can mix 1-2 spoons of tapioca starch with cool water, stir well, no sugar needed, drink once a day. Can be used for 3-5 days, then rest for a few days to avoid excessive cooling.

3. Improve metabolism

Thanks to its ability to slow down digestion and support insulin regulation, tapioca starch helps stabilize blood sugar and metabolize energy more effectively.

This is very important for those at risk of metabolic disorders, diabetes or obesity, because it helps reduce the burden on the pancreas and improve insulin sensitivity.

Drinking tapioca starch about 30 minutes before breakfast or lunch will help slow down the absorption of starch from the main meal, thereby reducing post-meal blood sugar spikes.

4. Good for intestinal microflora

Resistant starch in tapioca starch is not digested in the small intestine, but will reach the large intestine to become a food source for beneficial bacteria.

When beneficial bacteria thrive, they create a healthy intestinal environment, helping to digest better, prevent constipation, bloating and strengthen immunity.

Those who often experience indigestion and bloating can use tapioca starch 2-3 times/week as a gentle way to nourish a healthy gut from within.

Is it good to drink cassava starch every day?

Tapioca starch is very cool, helps to cool and detoxify, but is cold. If you drink it every day continuously, especially for people with weak digestive systems, low blood pressure or have just recovered from illness, you are prone to bloating, cold stomach, and diarrhea.

Therefore, we should only drink 1 glass/day, and not use it for many days in a row. We should rest for 2-3 days before using it again, so that the stomach has time to recover.

When the weather is hot, instead of abusing tapioca starch, drink enough water, supplement light electrolytes, or alternate with other cool drinks such as corn silk water, roasted black bean water… which will be safer and more effective for health.