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A leguminous tree, Tamarind, is native to tropical Africa. The fruit from the tree has many culinary uses and recognized health benefits.
The tamarind fruit is eaten whole when ripe or used as an ingredient in foods and beverages. In spice form, tamarind is used widely in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. Tamarind water is made by boiling the pulp from a tamarind pod.
Among the many health benefits attributed to tamarind are those associated with the digestive system. Tamarind is high in dietary fiber, the consumption of which is crucial to maintaining digestive health. The benefits of fiber contained in tamarind is accessible when consumed as a whole fruit or in spice form.
Eating tamarind as a fruit or in spice form also can enhance the efficiency of the digestive system overall. Tamarind is said to stimulate gastric fluids or juices, which results in a healthy acceleration of the digestive process.
Tamarind is both a natural laxative and works to reduce the symptoms of diarrhea. Used regularly, tamarind works to prevent either of these two unpleasant conditions from developing in the first instance.
The high fiber content of tamarind is said to be effective at reducing LDL or bad cholesterol in a person’s body. The potassium contained in tamarind is thought to be useful in reducing blood pressure, or in maintaining a healthy blood pressure.
Tamarind is also rich in vitamin C, which has many benefits. Among them is a reduction of free radicals in a person’s body. Reducing the level of free radicals is thought to enhance overall heart health.
Tamarind is rich in thiamine, one of the most important components of the vitamin B complex. Thiamine enhances overall nerve and muscle function. Nerve and muscle enhancement assist a person in remaining active.
Tamarind contains hydroxy citric acid or HCA. HCA contributes to weight loss because it is thought to inhibit an enzyme in the body responsible for accumulating or storing fat. In addition, tamarind is thought to suppress a person’s appetite to some degree because of the presence of the serotonin neurotransmitter in the fruit.
There is also evidence to suggest that tamarind can be helpful in regulating blood sugar levels. As a result, tamarind can be helpful in maintaining blood sugar fluctuations that plague a person suffering from diabetes. Tamarind can be a helpful addition to a diabetic diet plan.
Another health benefit associated with tamarind is improved blood circulation. Tamarind is a good source of iron—a single serving is 10 percent of the recommended daily requirement of the mineral. The iron contained in tamarind improves the healthy functioning of red blood cells in the blood. Properly functioning red blood cells ensures the proper nourishment and oxidation of organs and muscles in the body. Tamarind is also thought beneficial in staving off anemia—particularly in women.
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