7 Health Benefits of Eating Tamarind (Imli)

Tamarind is regarded as having a great importance in a multitude of delicious dishes, whether sweet or savory all over the world. Tamarind is derived from a tree which grows only in sub tropical and tropical zones. Consequently, given where you are located geographically, you may not have become as familiar with this excellent fruit as some other common ones.

Tamarind is packed with vitamin A, vitamin C, antioxidants, fiber, and minerals which are all essential for the body. Tamarind, which is also used therapeutically has many benefits to the body such as preventing heart disease, increasing the efficiency of the immune system and slowing down the aging process on the skin.

Registered dietitian and nutritionist Dr Ushakiran Sisodia explains what are the health benefits you get if you include tamarind fruit into your diet.

What is Tamarind?

The Tamarind tree produces a pod-like fruit called Tamarindus indica. This fruit is widely recognized for its distinctive sweet-sour taste. It has a color – brown and a hard coating on its outside. The inside part contains a pulpy substance that envelops the seeds.

Tamarind is consuming all over the world for food flavor especially in Asia, Africa, Latin America and its widely used in many other cuisines. It is an important part of quite a number of dishes be it as a savory or for sweetening them. In addition, the pulp can be utilized as a base for products such as chutneys, beverages among others.

However, tamarind does not only serve an exotic flavor but also prevents from other kinds of diseases because of the presence high vitamins minerals and antioxidants….

7 Health Benefits of Tamarind

Here are some of the potential and proven health benefits of adding tamarind to your diet:

1. Anti-aging

Since there are plenty of antioxidants in tamarinds, they can help in neutralizing all kinds of free radicals that cause damage in cells hence making sure you have no wrinkle at all and keep looking young for a longer period of time.

2. Improving Gut Health

Tamarinds have a lot of dietary fiber which can help prevent constipation and make it easier to have regular bowel movements. Their high fiber content increases the amount of feces you produce during defecation while reducing the force required for passing out feces at the same time.

In addition, studies have shown that tamarind seed has an anti-ulcer effect. Tamarind is loaded with polyphenolic compounds which have very strong antioxidative effects thereby preventing gastrointestinal illnesses and maintaining healthy intestine walls.

3. Weight Management

Despite its calorie denseness, research suggests that tamarinds can help in losing weight if eaten in small amounts as part of a proper diet. Along with their positive influence on fat metabolism, they are known to also interfere with the process of absorption of fats by the human body.

Besides, this fruit contains lots of dietary fibers thereby aiding in appetite suppression and consequently making an individual remain full throughout the day.

4. Managing Diabetes

Tamarind possess an ability to manage diabetes since it has advantageous characteristics. By delaying sugar absorption in the digestive system, tamarind, packed with a lot of fibers, could assist regulating blood sugar levels.

Moreover, tamarind seem be capable of reducing hypoglycemia hence ensuring that the diabetic patient maintains normal body sugar. Integrating tamarind into a balanced diet may promote diabetes management in an all natural tasty manner.

5. Promotes Eye Health

The health of eyes can be supported by consumption of tamarinds, which contain vitamin C and A antioxidants, significant in keeping proper eyesight. Ocular oxidation pressure as well as age related damages on ocular tissues are protected by these antioxidants. Zinc and copper are jut but examples of more other vital minerals required for sight that are contained in tamarinds.

6. Boosting Immune System

Tamarinds are full of necessary vitamins that help the immune cells to grow and develop well include vitamin C and A. Its properties promote quick healing after illnesses like flu or common cold.

In addition to that, there are various researches has proven that tamarinds possess a wide range of antibacterial properties effective in treating diseases caused by bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, paratyphoid among others. The number of benefits that come with eating these fruits including enhancing immunity and treating infections cannot be counted.

7. Preventing Cancer

Tamarinds contains antioxidants, the polyphenols that help fight those unwelcome chemicals inside us, free radicals. This way tamarinds assist in protecting responsible cells while at the same time preventing any progression toward cancer.

Ways To Eat Tamarind

There are various delicious ways to enjoy tamarind:

• Tamarind Chutney: Mix tamarind pulp with jaggery, spices and a bit of ginger for blending into a tart chutney. A good accompaniment to samosas, pakoras and the like are these snacks.

• Tamarind Juice: Get the tamarind pulp and combine it with water, sugar and a pinch of salt. Enjoy this refreshing and tangy drink on a hot day.

• Tamarind Candy: Mix sugar with salt and apply it on tamarind pulp to dry. Such sweet and sour sweets are a real joy.

• Tamarind Sauce: You can make a tasty sauce for spring rolls, dumplings, or grilled meat by mixing tamarind pulp with soy sauce, garlic, and some other condiments.

• Tamarind Rice: Prepare the rice by finishing cooking it with the tamarind paste and adding spices, peanuts and vegetables. This South Indian delicacy, known as Puliyogare, has an exceptional taste.

• Tamarind in Curries: In curries, vegetable dishes, or meat, Tamarind is often included as it offers a tart and slightly acidic flavor on vegetables or meats.

Potential Side Effects

Eating too much of tamarinds can give you some health side effects because they are extremely acidic. It is possible for individuals who consume high levels of tamarind acid and hypoglycemic drugs concurrently to experience digestive issues, and develop low blood sugar.

Final Words

In the preparation of sauces, curries or soups and as candied, tamarind is a staple ingredient in many parts of the world such as the Indian and South East Asian cuisines. Those with digestive disorders, heart related issues including diabetics will find this fruit very useful because it has a lot of antioxidant vitamins and minerals.

It is not recommended for children and pregnant women so it is important to eat this versatile fruit in moderate amounts to prevent some health side effects.

[Please note: The above is generic advice, and it’s always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet, especially if you have underlying health conditions.]