In many cultures around the world, tamarind (Tamarind Indicas) trees are prized for their beauty and fruit. Given that their fruit is a pod-like structure like a bean, tamarind trees are categorized as leguminous plants. The pulp of this bean starts out sour and ripens into a very sweet pulp. People eat the fruit raw and also cook with its pulp.
Tamarind trees’ leaves, beans, bark, and wood can all be used in a variety of ways. In addition to Worcestershire sauce, tamarind is a common ingredient in numerous dishes from Asia, South and Central America, Africa, and the Caribbean. It can be found in a lot of chutneys, sauces, desserts, and drinks. Yes, there are many health benefits of tamarind, here we will explain to you how it will benefit you in different ways –
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Health Benefits Of Tamarind
Tamarind is utilized in conventional medicine, although more investigation is required to ascertain its medicinal advantages. Your health can be improved by a variety of nutrients found in tamarind pulp.
Tamarind Improves Tissue Health
Amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein, are essential for the body to generate and repair tissues. Therefore, since the human body is unable to manufacture some amino acids, people must get them from their diet. Tamarind contains significant amounts of all essential amino acids, save tryptophan.
Tamarind Helps Cancer Risk Reduction
Antioxidant-rich diets are advised by scientists for a variety of benefits, including a lower risk of cancer. The DNA of cells can be shielded from damage by antioxidants. According to scientists, damage to DNA is the root cause of many malignancies. Plant phytochemicals have antioxidant properties. Beta-carotene is one of many phytochemicals found in abundance in tamarind. (Source)
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Tamarind Helps To Improve Brain Health
There are eight similar-functioning vitamins in the B vitamin category. All dissolve in water, thus the body doesn’t keep them. Without using supplements, you ought to be able to receive enough B vitamins from food. The full spectrum of B vitamins is necessary for optimum health. For the brain and neurological system to function properly, they are very important. B vitamins are abundant in tamarind, particularly thiamine and folate. Tamarind does not contain B12, like other plants. (Source)
Tamarind Enhance Bone Health
The bone density of those who consume adequate magnesium in their diets is higher than that of those who do not. Many people, particularly teenagers and people over 70, do not consume enough magnesium. Magnesium can be found in abundance in tamarind. (Source)
Additionally, it has more calcium than many plant-based diets. Together, these two minerals and weight-bearing activity may reduce the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures. Calcium utilization in the body requires vitamin D. Vitamin D is not significantly present in tamarind.
Nutrition And Nutritional Values Of Tamarind
According to the National Nutrient Database of the United States Department of Agriculture, 100g of Tamarind has the following nutrients (USDA). (Source)
- Water 31.4 g
- Energy 239 kcal
- Energy 1000 kJ
- Protein 2.8 g
- Total lipid (fat) 0.6 g
- Ash 2.7 g
- Carbohydrate, 62.5 g
- Fiber, total dietary 5.1 g
- Sugars, total including NLEA 38.8 g
- Calcium, Ca 74 mg
- Iron, Fe 2.8 mg
- Magnesium, Mg 92 mg
- Phosphorus, P 113 mg
- Potassium, K 628 mg
- Sodium, Na 28 mg
- Zinc, Zn 0.1 mg
- Copper, Cu 0.086 mg
- Selenium, Se 1.3 µg
- Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid 3.5 mg
Side Effects Of Tamarind
Tamari has a number of nutritional and physiological advantages, but it also has certain drawbacks. When used with certain medications, such as aspirin and other anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet treatments, tamarind can increase the risk of bleeding and become quite deadly.
Regularly consuming high amounts of tamarind can also produce a considerable drop in our serum glucose levels, which is known as hypoglycemia. Additionally, one of the most typical tamarind side effects is allergy or hypersensitivity. Many people who are hypersensitive to the components of this fruit end up experiencing a variety of symptoms after consuming it, including rashes, itching, inflammation, stinging, lightheadedness, fainting, vomiting, and shortness of breath, etc.
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