Raw ube contains roughly 140 calories, 27g of carbohydrates, 4g of fiber, and notable amounts of vitamin C and potassium per 100g — similar to other yams, but slightly sweeter due to marginally higher natural sugar content.
Ube nutrition facts (per 100g, raw)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~140 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | ~27 g |
| Dietary fiber | ~4 g |
| Protein | ~1.5 g |
| Fat | <0.2 g |
| Vitamin C | ~17 mg |
| Potassium | ~816 mg |
Figures are approximate and based on USDA yam data, since ube-specific databases are limited; actual values vary by variety and ripeness.
How preparation changes nutrition
Boiling and steaming (see how to cook ube) preserve most of the nutrient profile above. Once made into ube halaya or ice cream, added sugar, milk, and butter substantially raise the calorie and sugar content — these desserts should be treated as treats, not health foods.
Where the health benefits come from
Ube's purple color comes from anthocyanins, antioxidant compounds linked to several potential health benefits. For a closer look at what the science actually supports, see our dedicated ube benefits page.
How ube compares nutritionally to taro
Ube and taro have broadly similar calorie counts, but taro tends to be more fibrous while ube is slightly sweeter. Full comparison on our purple yam vs taro page.
