Keen on making an attempt our FREE 7 Day Wholesome Food regimen Plan? Click on right here and select between our meat eaters, vegetarian or vegan meal plans.
What’s Tamarind?
Tamarind is a kind of tropical fruit that comes from the tamarind tree, which is native to Africa but additionally grows in different tropical areas, together with India. The tamarind tree produces bean-like pods that include seeds and a fibrous pulp. As these pods ripen, the flesh turns into pasty and takes on a candy and bitter style.
Tamarind might be greatest identified for its use in Asian, Mexican, and Caribbean dishes, and is mostly bought as a paste or puree, however it can be bought as uncooked pods, a pressed block, and tamarind focus.
Uncover our full vary of well being advantages guides and skim our tamarind glossary web page for extra info. Additionally take a look at our assortment of tamarind recipes.
Dietary advantages of tamarind
100g tamarind accommodates roughly:
• 238 kcal/1011 KJ
• 2.3g of protein
• 62.5 g carbohydrates
• 5.1g fiber
• 0.6g fats
• 1.9mg niacin
• 14ug folic acid
• 3.5 mg vit C
• 30IU of vitamin A
• 628 mg of potassium
• 74mg calcium
• 92 mg magnesium
• 2.8mg iron
What Are 6 Main Well being Advantages Of Tamarind?
1. A wealthy supply of antioxidants
The pulp of tamarind is wealthy in quite a few phytonutrients that act as highly effective dietary antioxidants and will improve the effectiveness of the physique’s pure defenses. Antioxidants are wanted to scale back the inflammatory influence of oxidative stress.
2. Might Have Anti-Most cancers Properties
In a 2014 animal examine, tamarind seed extract decreased each oxidative stress markers and the development of renal cell carcinoma. This is because of its antioxidant impact, and tamarind seed extract has antioxidant enzyme induction properties and a cancer-related blockade impact of signaling pathways.
3. Might Enhance Coronary heart Well being and Ldl cholesterol
Being wealthy in polyphenols and flavonoids, tamarind has been proven to decrease LDL ldl cholesterol and lift HDL ldl cholesterol, thereby decreasing the chance of atherosclerosis. The dried pulp was additionally discovered to have antihypertensive results and decrease diastolic blood strain.
4. Supplies protecting advantages to the liver
Fatty liver illness, or hepatosteatosis, is on the rise within the Western world, and tamarind fruit extract has a protecting impact on the liver, because it accommodates antioxidants known as procyanidins that counteract free radical harm to the liver.
5. Supplies pure antimicrobial advantages
Pure compounds current in tamarind extract can be utilized as a pure antimicrobial agent in opposition to pathogenic microorganisms. Specifically, a substance known as lupeol has been recognized for its antibacterial properties.
6. Might have antidiabetic results
The anti-inflammatory impact of tamarind seed extract has been proven to offer potential protecting advantages and enhance blood sugar regulation in folks with diabetes.
Is tamarind secure for everybody?
As a meals, tamarind is within the legume household and so could trigger an allergic response in some folks. Tamarind could decrease blood sugar ranges and so must be used with warning if in case you have diabetes. It will possibly even have a laxative impact if consumed in giant quantities.
Learn how to use tamarind
The simplest approach is to purchase tamarind paste and use it to make sauces, marinades, curries and different dishes equivalent to pad Thai. If utilizing a compressed block, tear off the required quantity and soak in heat water for 10 minutes. Then combine it collectively, pressure by a sieve, discard the pulp and use the liquid. For tamarind focus, combine 15 ml of tamarind with 4-6 tablespoons of heat water.
Why not strive a few of our tamarind recipes?
Tamarind Shrimp Curry
Tomato & tamarind fish curry
Khatti dhal
Indian spiced salmon
Nicola Shubrook is a dietary therapist and works with each non-public shoppers and the company sector. She is an accredited member of the British Affiliation for Diet and Way of life Drugs (BANT) and the Complementary & Pure Healthcare Council (CNHC). Learn extra at urbanwellness.co.uk.
All well being content material on bbcgoodfood.com is for common informational functions solely and shouldn’t be handled as an alternative to the medical recommendation of your personal doctor or different healthcare supplier. If you’re involved about your common well being, you must contact your native healthcare supplier. See our web site phrases and circumstances for extra info.