This tropical evergreen tree is native to Africa, but it can now be found in places like Mexico, Australia, and South Asia. Pod-like fruits grow from these tall trees and, as they mature, they go from green and sour to brown and juicy with a sweet-and-sour pulp. It’s used in Indian cooking and also popular as a folk remedy, as previously noted. Here Rose Lidell, Food.news, reflects on health benefits of tamarind:

“Tamarind is a superfood often used in Asian, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking. This sweet and sour fruit isn’t just delicious, it offers many health benefits such as boosting your heart and digestive health!

Tamarind, the tropical superfruit

Known to science as Tamarindus indica, tamarind is a tropical fruit that grows in trees native to the tropical regions of Africa, particularly Sudan. Italso grows in various regions like India and Pakistan.

Tamarind develops in pods with long, brown shells. It’s in these pods bear sticky, fleshy and juicy pulp of the tamarind fruit can be found. The fruit has an incredible taste that may range from sweet to sour and tart to tangy. It’s said to taste like a date combined with lemon and the fruit can sometimes make the back of your jaw tingle.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), raw tamarind provides the following essential minerals:

• B-vitamins (Folate, niacin, riboflavin and thiamine)
• Calcium
• Iron
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Sodium
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K
• Zinc

If you want to start using tamarind in your recipes, read on to learn more about its various health benefits!

Helps promote weight loss

The results of one study have revealed that tamarind water extract can help prevent obesity. Tamarind contains unique compounds called trypsin inhibitors that may help reduce your hunger. This protein can suppress your appetite by increasing the release of the neurotransmitter serotonin. While research is still ongoing about this potential benefit, experts are hopeful that the extracts of this fruit can soon be used as a natural weight-loss supplement.

Boost your digestive health

Tamarind is also used as a natural laxative because it is full of dietary fiber. Eating tamarind as a fruit or cooking with it as a spice can help boost your digestive health, particularly since it contains insoluble fiber that bulks up your stool. This type of fiber makes it easier for stool to move through the smooth muscles of your intestinal tract.

Helps manage diabetes

Following a diet full of carbs can increase the chances of uncontrolled glucose and insulin levels. This can be a concern if you have diabetes. Thankfully, tamarind can inhibit the enzyme alpha-amylase that helps stop carbs from being absorbed in your body. One study suggests that consuming the superfruit regularly can help control these fluctuations.”

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Read More … Article Source: https://www.food.news/2021-03-05-6-health-benefits-tamarind-sweet-sour-superfruit.html