Tamarind is one of the most popular and cherished fruits in South Asia. It is a natural dried food and its name means “date of India” as the fruit is very similar to the dried fruits dates. This exotic fruit can be found in a brown curved pod that grows on trees and is full of small brown seeds and sticky pulp which turns into a sticky paste. They are naturally processed and pressed into small balls and sugary water, syrup or even salt is added. However, this type of processed tamarind loses some of its natural health benefits and has a change in its profile (become less natural and healthy).
If you are looking to eat tamarind for the excellent health benefits, it is much better to buy and eat it when it is fresh from growing and still in the pod. It is a delicious dried fruit to snack on like this and provides a wide range of wonderful health benefits.
For a long time now, dried fruit including tamarind has been used to make medicine and treat medical problems. From helping to ease stomach pain, improving digestion, helping sore throats, fevers, and sunstroke, tamarind has been used for a long time to help treat all of these medical problems. One of the major uses is for its laxative effects due to its ingredients. The leaves of tamarind also have health benefits and often dried or boiled to help swollen joints, boils, and sprains.
Many studies have been carried out to see how effective tamarind is with helping medical problems. As well as being a key ingredient in food dishes including curry, it is popular to snack on or to be turned into syrup and juice.
Digestion
Some of the ingredients and nutrients in tamarind include tartaric acid, potassium, and malic acid. These ingredients have components and properties to help improve the digestive system and promote a healthy digestive system. Problems such as diarrhea, constipation and abdominal pains can be caused by a bad digestion system. Tamarind is often used to help relieve abdominal issues as well as digestion problems. The fruit is also rich in fiber which helps to move food through the digestive system as well as preening constipation and promote regular bowel movements.
The fruit itself can be eaten to help relieve constipation whereas the leaves can be used to help treat diarrhea. The root and bark are used to help reduce abdominal pain. It works by relaxing the abdominal muscles help to elevate diarrhea problems.
Weight Loss
Tamarind is great for anyone who is trying to lose a few pounds. They are excellent healthy snacks that can provide the sweet taste that people often crave from candy or sugary unhealthy processed snacks. This natural fruit is rich in fiber and has no fat content making it a great snacking option. Studies have found that people who have consumed this delicious fruit on a daily basis were able to lose weight better than people who did not have tamarind in their diet. The flavonoids and polyphenols that are packed in tamarind are the reasons why they can help people lose weight. The hydroxycitric acid found in tamarind helps to reduce appetite which can also lead to weight loss.
Heals Wounds
Tamarind is used around the world to help heal wounds. If you have a cut, scratch or sore on the skin, by applying the leaves or bark from a tamarind tree, it can help heal problems. Tamarind is packed full of antiseptic and antibacterial properties that will help heal the wounds.
Pregnancy Nausea
Tamarind is safe for consumption by pregnant women and can often help decrease the bad symptoms that pregnant women experience including nausea and sickness. It helps cure morning sickness, upset stomachs, and constipation thanks to the high levels of fiber which also helps in the development of the fetal.
So if you’re looking for a healthy snack that is packed full of essential vitamins and minerals and has the potential to help boost your health, tamarind is for you. It can be chewed and eaten as a normal snack or mixed into food. However you choose to consume it, you will be able to benefit from the excellent health benefits.
References:
30 Amazing Benefits Of Tamarind (Imli) For Skin, Hair, And Health
10 Health Benefits Of Tamarind (Imli) Fruit, Juice, And Seeds