10 Health Benefits of Eating Tamarind (Meethi Imli)

2022-08-29 17:00:27

Tamarind is a sweet and delicious fruit that has many health benefits. It comes from a shrub-like tree that has evergreen leaves and fruit and has a long, brown, hard shell on the outside. The pulp of the fruit is quite sticky and sweet.

The tamarind pulp is quite juicy because it tastes sweet and sour. Tamarind can either be eaten raw or ripe tamarind can be used as a dessert. The fruit can also be sun-dried and ground into a delicious spice to sprinkle over food as it adds a tangy and delicious taste to the dish.

Nutritional Values in Tamarind

Tamarind is a rich source of antioxidants, phytochemicals, and other essential nutrients, including vitamins A, C, E, K, B6, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and zero cholesterol.

Health benefits of Tamarind (Meethi Imli)

• Prevents liver damage-The active content of procyanidin in tamarind prevents liver damage from free radicals. The minerals like nickel, copper, selenium, manganese, and iron which help improve your body's defense mechanisms against oxidative stress. Tamarind also contains Vitamin E and selenium that protect the lipid content in liver cells from free radical attack.
• Relieves Nasal Congestion & Cold-According to Ayurveda, Tamarind (Imli) is useful in nasal congestion and cold due to its Ushna (hot) potency and Kapha balancing properties. It helps clear mucus from the respiratory tract and relieves nasal congestion and cold.
• Helpful in Weight loss-Tamarind is known to promote weight loss. This is because it is high in hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which is known to inhibit enzymes in the body that store all fat.
• Treats diabetes-Tamarind is a good remedy for diabetes. This essentially stops the absorption of carbohydrates in the body. When carbohydrates are digested, it begins to turn into sugar or fat, which diabetics need to control. In this way, tamarind can help control your blood sugar levels by keeping your diabetes under control.
• Relieves constipation-Tamarind is used as a laxative because of its high content of malic and tartaric acid. It has potassium bitartrate which, along with other active ingredients, helps relieve constipation. The tamarind bark and root extract have been shown to be effective in treating stomach ache.
• Improves heart health-Tamarind is very beneficial for heart problems. Fiber in tamarind can help lower cholesterol levels in your body. It removes all the excess bad cholesterol (LDL) that sticks in your blood vessels, preventing your heart from overloading or developing chronic heart disease.
• Treats malaria-Tamarind is widely used in traditional medicine for controlling fever. Fever caused by bacterial infection can be treated with tamarind extract. Its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties also play an important role in treating malaria.
• Helpful in digestion-Tamarind is high in fiber, which helps bulk up the stool, making it easier to move. It keeps your digestive system clean.
• Reduces inflammation-Tamarind, when used in essential oil form, is packed with anti-inflammatory properties. It can help relieve joint pain, arthritis pain, gout, and even arthritic conditions. It can even help reduce eye irritation. and infections such as conjunctivitis.
• Boosts immunity-Tamarind contains a large amount of vitamin C, which is a well-known antioxidant. Antioxidants help by eliminating the free radicals from the body. This leaves up your immune system to deal with other infections and illnesses, thereby increasing your overall immunity.
• Skin effective-Pulp and seeds of tamarind acts as a natural skin scrub. It has skin lightening properties which hydrate the skin and provide a positive impact of tamarind seed extract on the skin tone.

Side effects of using Tamarind (Meethi Imli)

• Regular consumption of tamarind in excess could cause fall in the serum glucose levels, leading to hypoglycemia.
• Tamarind can cause itching, rashes, inflammation, vomiting, and shortness of breath to those who are sensitive to this fruit.
• If you eat tamarind in excess, tooth enamel could get damaged.
• Using tamarind with certain medications like aspirin, non-steroidal drugs, anticoagulants, and anti-platelet drugs can lead to excessive bleeding.

Where is it found?

In India, Tamarind is found in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.