Fact Check: Is Sabudana Made from Worms and Worst Food?

An Instagram reel claims that Sabudana is Made from Worms and the Worst Food. The claim is FALSE.

Claim

In an Instagram reel, it is claimed that Sabudana is Made from Worms and the Worst Food.. In the reel by iamraavyasarda, it is said, "Sabudana is basically a paste made from worms, yet people eat it during fasting periods. Just today, my mother-in-law told me that tomorrow is Ekadashi, so sabudana will be prepared. I said, fine. But first of all, sabudana is not originally an Indian item. It is made by mixing certain roots. It entered Indian cuisine only around 1940.

India has always been a fertile land with abundant crops. Everything grew naturally here, so there was never any need to bring in such half-baked substitutes. These things usually come from places where nothing grows, where there’s no rainfall. Think about it—when food is left to rot, worms naturally infest it. Sabudana is made in a very unclean way, and worms inevitably get ground into it, just like coffee is known to contain cockroaches. In the same way, sabudana inevitably has worms.

On the one hand, you say wheat contains starch, potatoes contain starch, starch increases weight—and yet during fasting you avoid meals and eat only pure starch. It has no nutrition at all. And I say, when you are worshipping God, why eat sabudana? Eat rice or roti instead. Sabudana is the worst—people should not eat it, they should understand it’s not good for health."

The reel can be accessed here.

Fact Check

The claim is FALSE. Sabudana is not made from worms but from cassava root starch; it is hygienic, and though low in protein and fiber, it remains a safe, gluten-free, easily digestible carbohydrate widely consumed during fasting in India.

Is Sabudana Made from Worms and the Worst Food?

The claim that sabudana (tapioca pearls) is made from worms, is unhygienic, and has no nutritional value is FALSE. Sabudana is not made from worms, but from the starch extracted from the roots of the cassava plant. While it is low in protein and fiber, it serves as a gluten-free, easily digestible source of carbohydrates, which is why it is often consumed during fasting periods in India.

Sabudana, commonly known as tapioca pearls, is produced from the starch of the cassava root. The roots are thoroughly cleaned, peeled, and crushed to release the starch. This starch is then soaked, settled, and dried into a fine powder. The powder is blended with water to form a dough-like paste, which is passed through sieves to shape small pearls. These are sun-dried and polished to achieve their smooth, round form. Sabudana is a popular ingredient in fasting foods and Indian snacks. Sabudana is entirely plant-derived, safe for consumption, prepared hygienically, and has no association with worms.

Another claim made in the video is that sabudana is "nutritionally void." This claim is false.While sabudana is not rich in protein, fat, or micronutrients, it is far from being devoid of nutritional value.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, It is a high-carbohydrate food that provides 358 kcal and 88.7 g of carbohydrates per 100 grams, making it a valuable source of quick energy—especially during fasting. It contains small amounts of protein (0.19 g), fat (0.02 g), fiber (0.9 g), and sugars (3.35 g). Although its calcium (20 mg) and iron (1.58 mg) content is modest, sabudana still contributes energy and minor nutrients. Thus, it is more accurate to describe it as energy-dense but low in other nutrients, not nutritionally void.

Further, a study in the Encyclopedia of Grain Science found that tapioca starch contains about 17% amylose. Good quality starch showed a pH of 4.7–5.3, moisture content of 10–13.5%, and uniform whiteness. It demonstrated high viscosity, effective binding properties, a bland taste, and required moderate cooking temperatures during extrusion.

In conclusion, the user’s claims are FALSE and lack both scientific evidence and medical consensus. Sabudana, or tapioca pearls, is completely safe to eat and is made from plant-based starch. It is not derived from worms but from the starch extracted from cassava roots. Although low in protein and fiber, sabudana is a gluten-free, easily digestible source of carbohydrates, which is why it is widely consumed during fasting in India.

Responding to the claim Dr Divya Tripathi, Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies said, "This is entirely False and Misleading. Sabudana is a completely plant-based food, produced from the starch of the cassava root. The roots are carefully cleaned, crushed, and the starch is extracted. This starch is then processed into pearls through soaking, sieving, and drying. At no point are worms involved sabudana is 100% vegetarian, hygienically prepared, and completely safe to consume.

From a nutrition perspective, sabudana is not “void” as often claimed. While it is naturally low in protein, fat, and fiber, it is rich in carbohydrates, making it an excellent source of quick energy. This is why it is a popular food during fasting periods in India, where its easy digestibility and energy density help sustain the body. In addition, sabudana provides small amounts of calcium, iron, and dietary fiber, adding modest micronutrient value.

We can say Sabudana is neither made from worms nor nutritionally empty. It is a safe, vegetarian source of energy that plays a meaningful role in traditional diets. Rather than dismissing it, sabudana can be enjoyed as part of a balanced and mindful eating pattern."

Dr Aman Rathore, DNB, Critical Care Medicine, Max Super Speciality Hospital, further added, “Sabudana is often misunderstood. It is not made from worms but from the starch of the cassava root. While it is low in protein and fiber, it is a clean, plant-based source of carbohydrates that is easily digestible and gluten-free. That’s why it is widely used during fasting, illness recovery, or when light meals are recommended. Calling it the ‘worst food’ is a myth moderation and smart pairing make it a healthy energy-giving option.”

Medical Dialogues Final Take

The claim that sabudana is made from worms, unhygienic, non-Indian, and nutritionally void is FALSE and lacks scientific evidence or medical consensus. Sabudana is a plant-based starch extracted from cassava, widely used across India for its energy-boosting properties, especially during fasting. It is safe to eat when prepared hygienically and can be part of a balanced diet when combined with nutrient-rich ingredients.

Hence, the claim by the user is FALSE