9 Benefits Of Tamarind And How To Prepare The Water

Tamarind is a tropical fruit from Africa that is also consumed in Asia, Central and South America, characterized by its sour taste and high caloric intake. Its pulp is rich in vitamins A and C, fiber, antioxidants and minerals, being excellent for eye and heart health.

This fruit can be eaten raw or can be used to prepare sweets, juices, and other beverages, such as liquors. In some regions of the world, tamarind is also used to season meat or fish, for example. 

The health benefits of tamarind could include:

Helping to reduce LDL bad cholesterol, as it contains antioxidants and saponins that favor its decrease, thus preventing the emergence of cardiovascular diseases and taking care of heart health;

Help control diabetes, when ingested in small portions, this occurs because it possesses hypoglycemic activity, it is believed that it could be thanks to its fibers that reduce the absorption of sugar in the intestine;

Prevent early aging, as it provides antioxidants that prevent the damage caused by free radicals to cells;

Possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, because it apparently inhibits several biological processes involved in inflammation, and in the case of pain activates opioid receptors. This could be beneficial to treat inflammatory diseases, stomach pain, sore throat and rheumatism;

Take care of visual health, as it provides vitamin A, preventing macular degeneration and cataracts

Strengthen the immune system, as it provides vitamin C and A, both are important micronutrients to increase and stimulate the body’s defense cells. It also has antibacterial properties against Salmonella paratyphoid, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi, and Staphylococcus aureus and anthelmintic against Pheretia Posthuma;

Improve gastrointestinal health, being able to be beneficial both for people with constipation and to treat diarrhea and dysentery, because it contains pectins and gums, as well as other components that can help in the treatment of these problems;

Promote healing, as it provides vitamin C, vitamin A and has anti-inflammatory properties that promote skin regeneration;

Promote weight gain in people who are underweight, thanks to its caloric intake. In addition, it not only provides energy but is also an excellent source of essential amino acids (except tryptophan), so it also provides protein;

Despite its caloric intake, some studies have also verified that in small portions and in conjunction with a proper diet could promote weight loss, due to its effect on fat metabolism.

These benefits can be obtained through the consumption of its seeds, leaves, fruit pulp or tamarind peel, depending on the problem to be treated.

Tamarind nutritional information

The table below shows the nutritional composition per 100 g of tamarind:

To obtain the benefits indicated above, tamarind should be included in a balanced and healthy diet. 

Recipes with tamarind

Some recipes that can be prepared with tamarind are:

1. Tamarind water

Ingredients:

5 tamarind pods;

1 liter of water.

How to prepare:

Place the liter of water in a pot and add the tamarind pods, boil for 10 minutes. Strain and let cool in the refrigerator. 

2. Tamarind juice with honey

Ingredients:

100 g tamarind pulp;

1 large orange;

2 glasses of water;

1 teaspoon of honey.

How to prepare:

Blend the orange juice with the tamarind pulp, the 2 glasses of water and the honey.

To make the tamarind pulp, peel 1 kg of tamarind, place in a bowl, with 1 liter of water and leave to soak overnight. The next day, place everything in a pot and cook for 20 minutes or until the pulp is very soft, stirring from time to time.

3. Tamarind sauce

This sauce is excellent to accompany beef, pork, fish and seafood. Some people also use it as a dip spread. 

 Ingredients:

10 tamarinds or 200 g of tamarind pulp;

1/2 cup of tamarind pulp;

1/2 cup of tamarind pulp;

1/2 cup of tamarind pulp.e water;

2 tablespoons of white vinegar soup;

3 tablespoons of honey soup.

How to prepare:

Remove the peel from the tamarinds, scoop out the pulp and remove the seeds. Place the water in a pot over medium heat, once the water is hot, add the tamarind pulp and reduce to a simmer. Stir for a few minutes and then add the vinegar and honey, continue stirring for about 5 more minutes or until the desired consistency is reached. Remove from heat, blend the mixture so that it is free of lumps and serve.

Possible effects and contraindications

Tamarind when consumed in excess can cause wear of tooth enamel, being a very acidic fruit, it could also cause gastrointestinal disorders and could cause hypoglycemia in diabetics who ingest this fruit in conjunction with medication.

The intake of tamarind should be avoided in people taking anticoagulants, aspirin, antiplatelet drugs and ginko bioloba, as it could increase the risk of bleeding. Also, people taking medication to regulate sugar should consult a doctor before ingesting it.