If you could choose the flavour of your life, what would it be? For us, it would be totally tamarind. Khatti-meethi imli keeps life happy and sweet but excitingly tangy. This versatile fruit is a DESi favourite used in cuisines across the country: it goes in the chutney for the amazing samosa, is the star of heavenly pulihora (tamarind rice), makes delicious pickles and of course, (drumroll) super yummy candy!
Plus, our beloved sweet tamarind has many health benefits. What could be better? Read these health benefits of tamarind to get seven reasons to eat tamarind - as if you need any more!
1. It’s super nutritious
Tamarind may be small but it packs a nutritious punch. It’s rich in minerals like magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus, which your body needs for hundreds of functions. The health benefits of tamarind also include its many B-complex vitamins, especially vitamin B1 (thiamin), which takes care of your nerve cells.
2. Improves heart health and blood circulation
If you feel like tamarind goes straight to your heart, you’re not too wrong. Tamarind has antioxidants called polyphenols that help regulate cholesterol, keeping your heart healthy. Plus, the high potassium content controls blood pressure and heart rate, and iron makes sure your red blood cells (RBCs) production factory runs smoothly.
3. Boosts immunity
An awesome health benefit of tamarind is that it powers up your immune system. With its rich nutrient content, including Vitamin C and antioxidants, tamarind boosts your immunity and helps your body fight diseases.
4. Acts as a natural laxative
Tamarind acts as a natural laxative to help fight constipation. Plus it has fiber, which keeps things, ahhem, moving smoothly in your digestive tract. So the next time you’re struggling to go -- you know what to do.
5. Helps with weight loss
This is yet another sweet tamarind health benefit that everyone loves. Tamarind has this enzyme called hydroxycitric acid (HCA) which inhibits fat storage in your body and regulates appetite, helping you lose weight.
6. Fights inflammation to protect you from serious illnesses
Tamarind is a total boss. Its high magnesium content plus the polyphenols give it anti-inflammatory properties. These protect you against serious problems like heart disease, cancer, diabetes and reduce inflammatory pain from arthritis and rheumatic conditions.
7. And also fights pesky infection-causing microbes
The health benefits of tamarind include its antifungal and antibacterial properties, which keep you safe from fungal and bacterial illnesses. In fact, researchers at IIT found that tamarind seeds even have anti-viral properties that may be used to develop a medicine to fight the chikungunya viral infection. Virus, bye.
In short, tamarind is awesome. Your body loves the healthiness, and your tongue loves the taste. Can’t wait to get your hands on yummy tamarind? At GODESi, we’ve got you covered. Check out our amazing Imli Pop tamarind candy, made with tamarind, jaggery and spices straight from the rural kitchen. Get snacking!
