Tamarind – What is It and What is It Good For?

Have you ever heard of tamarind pods? They come from the tamarind tree (hence their name) which was originally found in Africa, but nowadays it is practically everywhere. It is used in African, Asian, Mexican, Australian, South American, and Arabian cuisine. In the Latin countries, such as Mexico, they refer to it as ‘tamarindo’. These brown pods have a sticky pulp that is sour and sweet in flavor and is completely edible. It is used as the tangy component in many dishes, beverages, desserts, sauces, syrups, and even candy.

A Natural Cure?

Did you know that tamarind has a long history of being used by many cultures as a folk remedy? Its list of purposes goes on and on, among which are its supposed natural antibiotic properties. Tamarind can be used to treat many versatile health issues, such as sunstroke or a sore throat. Studies conducted on animals claim that tamarind has even shown potential when it comes to lowering both blood sugar levels and cholesterol. Still, human studies are needed to confirm this fully. But for all the good it does, keep in mind that tamarind still represents a source of carbs, and thus, one must be careful with how much they consume. Also, it’s best to integrate it into a healthy, well-balanced, daily diet. The best way to consume it is in the form of a condiment to add some extra flavor to your dishes or drinks, or eaten plain and in small amounts. Tamarind is truly worth our while, as it is abundant in vitamin C and vitamin B, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, riboflavin, fiber, and thiamine. So, it’s no wonder why certain studies have witnessed its positive effects on one’s kidneys (which are especially susceptible to damage if one happens to be diabetic). And while we’re on diabetes, it has huge potential when it comes to lowering blood glucose levels. All of this, coupled with its antioxidant effects, make tamarind one of Mother Nature’s generous gifts. We should take advantage of all the possible benefits it might offer our health.

Where to Find It

You can purchase it in many forms, including block, pod, sauce, or paste form. There are plenty of stores that have it, but your safest bet would be to check in Asian and Mexican markets. There shouldn’t be any added sugars or ingredients involved, but check the label, just to be on the safe side. And while we’re on tamarind products with added sugar, Mexican sweets, syrup, and drinks have plenty of it. So, make sure to steer clear of those as you’d be defeating the purpose of buying something healthy. We hope this information has proven useful to you. Source: Very Well | Web MD