Tamarind is a delicious fruit that has a sweet and sour taste. It is not just delicious but also packed with vitamins. It is rich in vitamin C which accounts for its sour taste, as well as vitamins E and B, iron, calcium, phosphorous, manganese, potassium, and dietary fiber. But wait, there's more. Tamarind is also a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. So how does tamarind exactly improve your health? Well, continue reading below to find out more.
Better Digestion
Traditional medicine considers tamarind as a natural laxative because it contains malic acid, tartaric acid, and potassium. Also, it helps relaxes the abdominal muscles that's why it is very useful in treating diarrhea. But, did you know that tamarind is also used to treat constipation? How is that even possible? The fruit is used to treat constipation while the leaves are used to help with diarrhea. But, that's not all. The bark and root can also be used to alleviate abdominal pain.
Helps Facilitate Weight Loss
If you are looking to shed a few pounds then look no further than the tamarind fruit. It is high in fiber but has no fat content. Additionally, the hydroxycitric acid in it helps suppress the appetite by inhibiting the enzyme responsible for converting carbs into fat and storing it in the body. A tamarind a day keeps the fats away.
Cardiovascular Health Benefits
The high levels of vitamin C, fiber, potassium in a tamarind all play an important role in keeping the heart healthy by reducing blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as scrapping excess LDL in the veins and arteries. Its high antioxidant content also helps combat free radicals that are known to cause heart diseases and other health conditions.
Blood Sugar Management
The enzyme called amylase is responsible for converting starch into sugar. Normally, this is a good thing because the body needs sugar to function. Think of it as the body's fuel. However, for people with diabetes, this is a big problem because they need to constantly monitor their blood sugar level. Tamarind has the capacity to inhibit this enzyme so it'll be much easier to control the fluctuations of their blood sugar.
Prevents Peptic Ulcers
Peptic ulcer is a very painful condition that affects the stomach and small intestine. Some studies show that tamarind can help treat and even prevent the development of ulcers because of the polyphenolic compounds found in its seed extract.
Better Skin
When used as part of your skincare routine, tamarind helps reverse the harmful effects of sunlight such as sunspots. This is because it contains alpha hydroxy acid which helps prevent acne and spots
Provides Liver Protection
A lifestyle that includes heavy alcohol intake and a calorie-rich diet can severely damage the liver. Fortunately, the use of tamarind leaves can help make this better. In fact, regular intake of tamarind extract may even reverse the condition.
Antihistaminic
Adding to tamarind's many health benefits, it also helps prevent asthma attacks, flu, and colds that are caused by viral infections or allergies. This is because of the natural antihistaminic properties of tamarind.
Anti-Inflammatory
The essential oil derived from a tamarind is often used to reduce joint pain and inflammation of conditions such as rheumatoid conditions, arthritis, and gout because of its anti-inflammatory properties. This is the main reason why it is used in many herbal remedies for inflammation.
Cancer Prevention
Free radicals encourage the growth of cancer cells. So to fight cancer, we must first eliminate these free radicals. Tamarind is a natural source of antioxidants that help the body fight free radicals. No free radicals; no cancer.
Immunity Booster
Vitamin C helps boost our immune system. Tamarind is packed with this important vitamin so daily consumption of this will ensure that you are always in tiptop shape. Additionally, tamarind has natural antiseptic and antimicrobial effects that help remove and even prevent the growth of parasites in the body. In fact, it has long been used in tropical countries that cultivate it to eliminate stomach worms in children.
A Word Of Caution
If you taking any blood thinners like aspirin and warfarin, you may want to take it easy on your tamarind consumption because it is also a blood thinner. Overconsumption of tamarind, together with your medication, will make it difficult to stop the bleeding if you get wounded.