THE 10 MOST IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS OF TAMARIND - NUTRITION - 2024

Some of the main characteristics of tamarind are its high nutritional value, its purifying capacity, its anti-inflammatory power, or its ability to protect the liver and heart.

Tamarind is the fruit of a tree in the legume family that was originally cultivated in tropical regions of Africa, specifically Sudan.

It is believed that it arrived in Asia approximately 5,000 years ago, and 4,500 years later it arrived in America with the Spanish conquerors.

Today, the main tamarind producer in the world is India. In America, the main producers are Mexico, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico.

The tamarin is a long pod similar to the fruit of the bean, with an acid pulp that is protected by a brown shell. They get to measure between 8 and 15 centimeters in length.

Unripe, it is green and bitter, but when it is ripe (10 months after flowering), it is a brown paste with a sweet-sour taste. It has a juicy pulp that is combined with fibers. Its seed is hard and brown in color.

It is born from a lush tree that can measure up to 20 meters in height and that grows in territories 1,200 meters above sea level.

It has adapted to the dry seasons, but grows or develops little in humid tropical climates, and does not withstand very cold climates.

Its name means Indian date or dry date in Arabic, but its scientific name is Tamarindus indica.

10 main characteristics of tamarind

Some of the main characteristics of this fruit are:

1. Nutritional value

Tamarind, after dried figs and dates, is the fruit with the highest potassium content with 570 mg per 100 grams.

Another high value in its content is represented by tartaric acid, which gives it its characteristic acidity.

Tamarind also contains vitamins C, B1, B2, B3, B5, K, and B6, and minerals like selenium, phosphorus, iron, copper, calcium, folate, sulfur, zinc, and magnesium.

It also provides carbohydrates, vegetable protein, soluble fiber and organic acids. This tropical fruit has 287 calories.

2. Versatility

It is widely used in the preparation of sweets, jams and sauces. It can also be used as a spice if allowed to dry and ground. Its intrinsic content gives it medicinal properties.

The seeds and leaves of tamarind are also edible.

3. Purifying capacity

It is a fruit that when consumed with a certain frequency can have slightly laxative effects. It is also used to eliminate gastrointestinal parasites.

Its content of pectin and carbohydrates contributes to make it a cleanser of the digestive system, excellent to accompany slimming diets.

It is also capable of increasing the efficiency of the digestive system, increasing the volume of stool and stimulating biliary activity and the production of gastric juices, which accelerates digestion.

4. Antipyretic

In many places this fruit is used to lower fever and also to attack the cause of discomfort.

For the first, just consume 15 g of pulp, while in infusion, it also helps to fight the virus that causes fever.

5.Tonic

Due to its ability to help regain the balance of electrolytes, after someone has made some physical effort, it is an excellent tonic.

It also helps to restore the tone of those who have suffered diarrhea or vomiting.

6. Antioxidant

Tamarind reduces the impact of free radicals, those by-products of cellular metabolism that are linked to heart disease and other health conditions.

7. Liver and cardiovascular protector

Tamarind helps to decongest the fatty liver and can be included in the treatment of biliary disorders.

It also plays an active role in the prevention of urinary tract infections and kidney stones.

Research has been conducted on the active role that tamarind has in regulating cholesterol in the blood.

Due to its iron content, it guarantees the red blood cell count and, therefore, adequate oxygenation of the muscles and organs.

While the fiber and potassium they contain, it reduces blood pressure.

It also helps control fluctuations in blood sugar levels.

8. Anti-inflammatory

The pulp, the leaves and even the flowers of the tamarind in an infusion, helps reduce inflammation and pain in the joints, as well as inflammation of the gums or gingivitis.

9. Adjuvant in eye health

Tamarind is well known as a remedy to cure conjunctivitis, but it turns out that it also works to relieve dry eyes, when used as drops (made from the seed).

10. Dermal bleach

Along with parsley, it is the vegetable used by many to lighten blemishes on the skin.

In the same way, it is used in the treatment of burns in the form of powder mixed with vegetable oil.

What additional properties are found in tamarind?

Although there is not extensive scientific evidence for the list that follows, the truth is that many people use tamarind for such purposes:

-Analgesic.

-Antitussive.

-Exfoliating

-Remove the hangover

-Prevents and improves hemorrhoids

-Strengthens the immune system.

-Helps in the prevention of

-It is beneficial for cleaning the skin in depth (making a peeling to which we add coffee, sugar or bicarbonate).

-Helps improve blood circulation.

Whatever the presentation you prefer or the use you want to give it, it should be consumed fresh and in case you need to store it, it should not be refrigerated for more than 18 hours (as long as no sugar is added).

It is worth saying that tamarind is contraindicated in people who consume anticoagulants or aspirin.

References

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2. Tamarind: medicinal uses and nutritional properties. Recovered from: ecoagricultor.com
3. Bengoa Foundation (s / f). Tamarind. Recovered from: fundacionbengoa.org
4. Healthline (s / f). Tamarind. Recovered from: healthline.com
5. National Institute of Nutrition (1999). Food Composition Table for practical use, National Institute of Nutrition of Venezuela. Recovered from: fundacionbegoa.org
6. Lelyen, Ruth (s / f). Tamarind benefits for human health. Recovered from: vix.com
7. Organic facts (2015). 7 Amazing Benefits Of Tamarind. Recovered from: organicfacts.net
8. Sunday magazine (s / f). Healing properties of tamarind. Recovered from: revistadominical.com.ve