Tamarind is a fruit that goes well with countless dishes and cultures. Apart from being a tasty, tangy fruit, it is also loaded with goodness. Tamarind provides countless health benefits, especially for men. It can cure many chronic diseases as well as heal wounds. One must relish these amazing benefits of tamarind by adding it to their diet.
The sight of fresh, brown tamarinds is enough to take us down memory lane. Tangy, sweet, and yummy, tamarind is a comfort fruit that each of us has at least once relished in childhood. The tanginess of the fruit reminds us of all the good times we’ve spent as children. Well, who would’ve thought that the zesty fruit from our childhood is packed with goodness and virtue, especially for men’s health? As adults, adding tamarind to your diet is enough, as it can provide you with a good, healthy body.
Hailing from the greens of Madagascar, Africa, this tropical fruit is widely used to make stews, marinades, chutneys, sauces, and desserts. Moreover, in Ayurveda, tamarind has also been used to cure multiple health issues.
The seed and bark of this plant have medicinal properties too. In many cultures, the entire plant of tamarind has been used for different purposes.
Here are some of the health benefits tamarind can provide men:
Manages diabetes
If you have diabetes, it must be difficult to keep up with staying away from sweets. Want to know a fun way to get rid of that sweet tooth? Pop in a chunk of tamarind whenever you have a craving for sweets!
Tamarind contains alpha-amylase, an enzyme that prevents an abrupt spike in blood sugar levels. It is considered a great addition to the diet of diabetic patients. Moreover, it also has anti-inflammatory properties that are effective in cases of allergies.
Improves sexual health
Eating tamarind positively improves reproductive health in men. Vitamin C present in the fruit improves male fertility. Tamarind also contains magnesium and vitamin B6, which improve the quality and lifespan of sperm.
Improves heart health
Tamarind is found useful in improving heart health due to the presence of potassium, which is useful in maintaining steady blood pressure. Many men go through cardiac issues at an early age now. If you have issues with your cholesterol level, add tamarind to your cart, as it will eliminate the level of bad cholesterol.
However, a person with a poor heart condition must consult their physician before adding the fruit to their diet, as it may have side effects.
Protects liver
Poor liver conditions stem from a number of health and lifestyle choices. Many men suffer from bad livers due to unhealthy habits like alcohol consumption. Along with prescribed medicines, adding tamarind to your diet can improve your liver's health to a great extent.
Tamarind consists of niacin (B3), also known as nicotinic acid, which is essential for good liver health.
You can even prepare tamarind juice, which is full of goodness. All you need to do is throw some peeled tamarinds into a blender. Add some water and let the concoction mix well. After that, extract the liquid. Your easy-peasy tamarind juice is all set to do wonders!
Drink this juice every day to beat liver diseases like fatty liver and hepatitis.
Aids digestion
If you have poor gut health, you must consume tamarind, as it fuels bile production, a gastric fluid that generates digestion activities in our body. This leads to a quick and efficient digestion process. It also helps those suffering from diarrhea. The usefulness of fiber in tamarind is attainable when consumed as a whole fruit or in the form of a spice.
Nerve function
Tamarind contains vitamin B complex and thiamine, which are two crucial members of the vitamin family. These components allow improvements in the functioning of nerves and muscles. To keep nervous system disorders at bay, eat two tamarind seeds every day.
Helps with weight loss.
If you’re someone who’s working out tirelessly to lose weight and get those muscles, eat some tamarind!
Low in fat and rich in fiber, tamarind is a friendly companion on your weight loss journey. Flavonoids and polyphenols present in tamarind aid metabolism, which leads to weight loss. It also reduces cravings, which prevents the tendency to overeat.
How to consume tamarind
Don’t we all love to drink a steaming cup of tea? Next time you prepare your evening tea, do not forget to bring along some tamarinds to make a nutritious cup of tamarind chili tea.
From the bustling streets of Bangladesh, tamarind chili tea, or morich cha, is a delicious, healthy preparation. All you have to do is pour a cup of water, tea leaves, sugar, black salt, chopped green chillies, and your trusty tamarind extract. Bring all the ingredients to a boil for three to four minutes, and your tamarind chili tea is ready!
Conclusion
For years, our grandmothers and mothers have been using tamarind for medicinal and health purposes. A study by the World Health Organization proved that tamarind is a great source of amino acids, protein, and nutrients. Indeed, tamarind is full of goodness and nutrients!
You can consider tamarind more like a supplement to your regular food intake. Avoid aimlessly consuming the fruit in excessive amounts, as it may have harmful effects. Instead, consult a physician before consuming tamarind for health benefits.
Footnote
Study of the World Health Organization: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2221169115300885