Top 10 Health Benefits Of Tamarind

Tamarind has been used by several ancient civilizations. For culinary purposes and for medical reasons, tamarind has built quite a reputation over the years.

Grown in abundance in tropical places, the tree is now cultivated around the world. The fruit appears in a pod and when opened, it contains a sticky pulp and seeds. If you’re cooking with it, you would realize a little goes a long way. Tamarind has a strong sweet and tangy taste.

Here are the Top 10 Health Benefits Of Tamarind

1. Improves Digestion
Abdominal pain? Feeling constipated? Tamarind is going to solve all your abdominal issues. In traditional medicine, tamarind has been used as a laxative because it contains tartaric acid, malic acid, and potassium.

2. Aids Diabetes
Tamarind seeds might hold the answer to people suffering from diabetes. An extract from the seed was found to be anti-inflammatory in nature. That’s not all. It even stabilizes blood sugar levels and reverses damage of the pancreatic tissue associated with diabetes.4Also, an enzyme known as alpha-amylase present in tamarind was proven to reduce blood glucose leve

3. Reduces Weight
Looking to shed a few kilos? Pick up a tamarind! It’s rich in fiber and has no fat content. In fact, one study proved that eating tamarind daily helped in weight reduction. This is because it is loaded with flavonoids and polyphenols.6Also, tamarind contains hydroxycitric acid, which reduces your appetite by inhibiting amylase, an enzyme responsible for converting carbohydrate into fat.7

4. Prevents And Treats Peptic Ulcers
Peptic ulcers are painful sores that appear in the stomach and small intestine. A study revealed that tamarind seed extract has a protective effect on ulcers, thanks to its polyphenolic compounds. These particular compounds were also found to prevent ulcers.

5. Strengthens The Heart
It turns out tamarind is a very heart friendly fruit. One study revealed that flavonoids present in tamarind lowered LDL “bad” cholesterol and raised HDL “good” cholesterol levels. It also prevents the buildup of triglycerides (a type of fat) in the blood. Its high potassium content makes it useful against blood pressure.

6. Fights Cancer
Tamarind is rich in antioxidants. One study found out an extract from the tamarind seed reduced the severity of acute kidney failure and kidney cancer because of its antioxidant property.

7. Heals Wounds
Several countries around the world use the leaves and bark of the tamarind tree for wound healing – thanks to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties. One study found out in just 10 days the wounds were completely healed using a tamarind seed extract.

8. Clears Up The Skin
Tamarind is great for the skin. It is proven to protect the skin from ultraviolet damage from the sun. Traditional uses of tamarind include using it on the face and skin for reducing acne or other scars. It contains alpha hydroxy acid that works as a great exfoliating agent to get rid of dead skin cells and clear clogged pores

9. Treats Cold, Cough, And Asthma
A nasty cough troubling you? You might want to try tamarind. It was found effective to deal with allergic asthma and cough because of its antihistaminic properties. Also, it’s a rich source of vitamin C, which can boost the immune system to prevent colds.

10. Protects The Liver
It turns out tamarind cares for your liver too. One study found out that a liver damaged from drinking excessive alcohol had become better just by using tamarind leaves.15A diet rich in calories also leads to a fatty liver. Another study revealed that the daily consumption of a tamarind extract reverses the condition.