Article

Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is the fifth most important root crop in tropical and subtropical regions, valued for its nutritional, medicinal, and cultural significance. Its corms, rich in starch and bioactive compounds such as anthocyanins with antifungal and antioxidant properties, serve as a major dietary energy source. The crop is highly digestible due to its fine starch granules and mucilaginous gums, making it suitable for diverse food preparations. Taro leaves further enhance their nutritional profile by providing protein, minerals, fibre, and low calories. This review synthesizes evidence from ethnobotanical studies, nutritional analysis, and food security research, highlighting the health-promoting metabolites distributed across different plant parts and their potential applications in food and medicine. The data are presented narratively to highlight nutritional significance, therapeutic potential, food application, and security. Therefore, this review may serve as a valuable resource for future researchers to explore molecular aspects and to develop effective strategies for the nutraceutical and functional food of this important species.