17 Amazing Health Benefits of Tamarind

Tamarind generally has many health benefits, but prolonged overexposure has been linked to several side effects of tamarind for females and males. Read on to learn more about the various health benefits and complexities.

Tamarind is well-known for adding a tangy flavor to dishes. Nowadays, it is widely used in almost every cuisine, including African, Asian, Middle Eastern, and Indian. Both the seeds and the leaves are edible. They are frequently used in the preparation of sauces, chutneys, beverages, and desserts.

But did you know what the benefits of tamarind seeds? Tamarind seeds are high in fiber and can help with digestion, hypertension, and other chronic problems. This tangy, sour-sweet tropical fruit also has medicinal properties. Tamarind was used in ancient medicine to treat malaria, constipation, diabetes, snake bites, and a variety of other chronic and acute medical conditions.

What exactly is tamarind?

Tamarind is usually known as a tropical fruit that is used as a flavoring agent for cooking purposes. It produces sweet and sour fruit pods, and a sticky pulp can be extracted around the seeds.

The flavor of tamarind can range from sweet and sour to tangy and tart, depending on the other ingredients used and how ripe the fruit is. If the tamarind is less ripe. Tamarinds become sweeter as they mature and ripen.

Nutritional composition of tamarind

The following nutritional information about tamarind (per 100g) is provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) [1] [2].

Calories	239 kcals
Carbohydrates	62.5 g
Sugar	38.8 g
Protein	2.8 g
Fats	0.6 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Vitamin A	2 mcg
Vitamin C	3.5 mg
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)	0.428 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)	1.94 mg

Uses & effectiveness of tamarind

Tamarind may be beneficial for the following conditions:

• Using eye drops containing tamarind seed extract, either alone or in combination with other ingredients, appears to help relieve dry eyes
• Constipation
• Fever and a cold
• Problems with the liver and gallbladder
• Stomach problems and discomfort
• Relieving the feelings of nausea, fainting, and vomiting during pregnancy
• Eliminating worms in the intestine
• Helps in relieving signs of fluorosis, a condition caused by consuming too much fluoride. Tamarind consumption increases the amount of fluoride removed from the body through urine.

Health benefits of tamarind

There are several health benefits of tamarind juice, seeds, and leaves for humans. You can get all of these benefits by including tamarind in your diet [3].

Beneficial for digestion

Tamarind juice is beneficial for your digestive system. It stimulates bowel movements and excretion, keeping your digestive system clean. Tamarind juice also protects the lining of the stomach and can help prevent pain ulcers and inflammation [4].

Helpful for heart patients

One of the most important health benefits of tamarind seeds is cholesterol reduction. Tamarind is extremely beneficial for cardiac problems because the dietary fiber in tamarind removes all the excess cholesterol that has accumulated in your veins and arteries, preventing your heart from developing chronic cardiovascular diseases.

Furthermore, tamarind is beneficial for heartburn because it contains vitamin C which is an excellent antioxidant.

Tamarind lowers blood pressure levels

Tamarind is also effective at increasing blood circulation. It is a good source of iron and is thought to be beneficial to your blood [5]. It ensures that your body has enough red blood cells, which helps all of your organs and muscles function properly. Having enough iron in your system can help you fight anemia, cognitive disorders, and stomach problems.

Tamarind is beneficial for nerve function

The health benefits of tamarind pulp include improved nerve function. This is because tamarind is high in vitamin B and thiamine. B vitamin complexes and thiamine have several health benefits, including improving nerve function and muscle development [6].

Promotes weight loss

The health benefits of tamarind fruit are well known to promote weight loss. This is due to its high concentration of hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which is known to suppress an enzyme in the body that stores all fat. Tamarind, according to one study, can also help you suppress your appetite by increasing the amount of serotonin in your system [7].

Diabetes patients can benefit from tamarind

Diabetes can be treated with tamarind [8]. It essentially prevents your system from absorbing carbohydrates, which are then converted into sugar or fat. Thus, controlling blood glucose levels and managing diabetes are the primary health benefits of tamarind leaves.

Tamarind fruit benefits the immune system

Tamarind is a good source of vitamin C which has numerous health benefits as an antioxidant. Tamarind greatly helps in the elimination of free radicals in the body, thereby improving overall immunity.

Free radicals can also cause certain types of cancer, so eating tamarind can help protect you against cancerous cells as well [9].

Antifungal properties of tamarind

Tamarind also contains antimicrobial properties, which means it can help protect you from microbial and fungal infections [10]. It has antiseptic properties, which can reduce the number of disease causing organisms in your body.

Anti-inflammatory properties of tamarind

When used in the form of essential oils, tamarind has a wide range of anti-inflammatory properties. It can help with joint pain, arthritis pain, and even rheumatic conditions [11]. It can even help you reduce eye irritation and cure infections like pink eye.

Can help with exfoliation and skin lightening

Since ancient times, the pulp of the tamarind fruit has been used as a natural skin scrub. Because of the presence of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), which moisturize your skin, tamarind promotes smoother and lighter skin [12].

Tamarind benefits for females

Tamarind is very beneficial to females in terms of both physical health and sexual health. The following are the benefits of tamarind sexually for females:

Tamarind promotes fertility

Tamarind is used to improve female fertility because it contains a lot of minerals and vitamin C. Tamarind’s anti-oxidant properties benefit sexual health by increasing female fertility.

Tamarind benefits sexually for females

Tamarind contains magnesium and vitamin B6, both of which are beneficial to female fertility and the sexual life of females. Tamarind and other foods high in Vitamin C can help increase the production of free radicals, resulting in sexual benefits such as increased fertility.

Tamarind increases breast size

Tamarind promotes breast enlargement. Consuming sour foods such as tamarind, oranges, and other fruits helps to increase breast size. Eating sour tamarind regularly promotes natural breast growth. Daily consumption of 4-5 tamarind pieces after breakfast for one week helps in naturally increasing breast size and is effective in increasing breast size in teenage girls.

How to eat tamarind?

When it comes to flavoring a dish, a little tamarind goes a long way. Tamarind has a distinct sweet and sour flavor that improves, balances, and complements many dishes. Tamarind can be cooked in a variety of ways.

Tamarind is frequently sold in ethnic or general stores in blocks of compressed pulp. Simply tear a piece of the pulp off, soak it in hot water, and mash it with your fingers. The brown sweet-sour liquid is then strained to obtain the brown, sour juice, which is then added to whatever recipe you wish to use it in.

Alternatives to tamarind

The following are substitutes for tamarind. These are the following:

• lime juice 
• white wine
• rice vinegar mixed with an equal amount of light brown sugar.

This produces the sweet and sour effect but lacks the extra flavor provided by tamarind, so it depends on how much tamarind is used in the recipe, and we would suggest that this alternative is best when only small amounts of tamarind are used.

Disadvantages of tamarind

While most of us are unaware, there are a few things to keep in mind if you consume tamarind frequently. The following are some of the potential dangers and side effects of tamarind.

Occurrence of allergic reactions

One of the most common tamarind side effects is allergy or hypersensitivity. Many people are allergic to the ingredients in this fruit and develop rashes, itching sensations, inflammation, fainting, vomiting, shortness of breath, and other symptoms after eating it.

Can harm your tooth enamel

According to studies, if you consume too much tamarind, the acid component will corrode the enamel of your teeth [13].

Acid reflux causes

When we consume tamarind, the acid levels in our gastrointestinal tract, particularly in our stomach, rise. If you are already experiencing digestive issues, you should avoid them. Otherwise, you will develop severe acid reflux.

Reduces blood sugar levels

Tamarind has the potential to lower blood sugar levels. There is a fear that tamarind will interfere with blood sugar control. If you have diabetes and use tamarind, you must keep an eye on your blood sugar levels [14].

How many tamarinds should you consume?

There isn’t enough reliable information to determine an appropriate tamarind dose. Keep in mind that natural products are not always safe, and dosages can be extremely crucial. 

Therefore, before consuming tamarind, make sure to read the product label and consult your healthcare professional.

FAQs

What is the nutritional composition of tamarind?

A 100-gram serving of tamarind contains:

• Calories: 239 kcals
• Protein: 2.8g
• Fats: 0.6g
• Carbohydrates: 62.5g
• Sugar: 38.8g

In addition, tamarind contains essential vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B1 (Thiamin), and Vitamin B3 (Niacin).

 Is it good to eat tamarind every day?

Eating tamarind daily may help you lose weight, boost your immunity, and protect your liver and heart from various disorders. Tamarind is high in fiber and low in fat, making it beneficial to human health in general. But remember to consume tamarind in moderation only.

What does tamarind cure?

Tamarind has several health advantages. Tamarind is used to treat signs and symptoms of constipation, liver and gallbladder problems, and stomach disorders. It is also used to treat fevers and colds. Tamarind is sometimes used by women to treat nausea caused by pregnancy. It is used to treat intestinal worms in children too.

Does overconsumption of tamarind cause adverse reactions to health?

Tamarind is generally considered safe for human consumption. On the other hand, overconsumption of tamarind can cause medical conditions and allergic reactions such as rashes, itching, inflammation, vomiting, and so on.

Wrapping Up

Tamarind is a popular sweet and sour fruit that is used all over the world. You can either eat it raw or use it as an ingredient in savory dishes to enjoy this tropical fruit. Tamarind is generally considered to be safe, as there are numerous tamarind benefits for male and women, but excessive exposure to tamarind can lead to chronic lung problems.

References

1. U.S. Department of Agriculture, “FoodData Central: Tamarinds, raw”. U.S. Department of Agriculture , Agricultural Research Service, (2018).
2. Jaspher Okello. “Mineral composition of Tamarindus indica LINN (tamarind) pulp and seeds from different agro‐ecological zones of Uganda.”   Food Sci Nutr vol. 5,5 (2017): 959-966.
3. Muhammad Sajid Arshad. “Tamarind: A diet‐based strategy against lifestyle maladies.”   Food Sci Nutr vol. 7,11 (2019): 3378–3390.
4. National Library of Medicine. “Mucoadhesive role of tamarind xyloglucan on inflammation attenuates ulcerative colitis.” National Center for Biotechnology Information, (2018).
5. National Library of Medicine. “Effect of Tamarindus indica fruits on blood pressure and lipid-profile in human model: an in vivo approach.” Pubmed.gov, (2008).
6. National Library of Medicine. “The Role of Neurotropic B Vitamins in Nerve Regeneration.” Pubmed.gov, (2021).
7. Sedigheh Asgary. “Evaluation on the Effects of Tamarindus Indica L. Fruit on Body Weight and Several Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Obese and Overweight Adult Patients: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.”   Int J Prev Med vol. 11 (2020): 24.
8. Viroj Wiwanitkit. “Hyperglycemia in poor controlled diabetes from crude tamarind herbal pill: a case study.”   Asian Pac J Trop Biomed vol. 1,1 (2011): 79-80.
9. National Library of Medicine. “Antitumor and Immunopotentiating Activity of Polysaccharide PST001 Isolated from the Seed Kernel of Tamarindus indica: An In Vivo Study in Mice.” National Center for Biotechnology Information, (2012).
10. National Library of Medicine. “Antimicrobial activity of extracts from Tamarindus indica L. leaves.” National Center for Biotechnology Information, (2010).
11. National Library of Medicine. “A Combination of Tamarindus indica seeds and Curcuma longa Rhizome Extracts Improves Knee Joint Function and Alleviates Pain in Non-Arthritic Adults Following Physical Activity.” National Center for Biotechnology Information, (2019).
12. National Library of Medicine. “Cleansing lotion containing tamarind fruit pulp extract. II. Study of cumulative irritation effects in human.” Pubmed.gov, (2007).
13. National Library of Medicine. “A Rare Case of Tamarind Seed Induced Oral Submucous Fibrosis in a 12-Year-Old Indian Boy.” National Center for Biotechnology Information, (2016).
14. Uzukwu Emmanuel Uchenna. “Tamarindus indica seeds improve carbohydrate and lipid metabolism: An in vivo study.”   J Ayurveda Integr Med vol. 9,4 (2018): 258-265.