Tamarind belongs to the dicotyledonous family Rosaceae, and is an evergreen tree native to tropical Asia and North Africa. It has a unique taste that harmonizes well with sweet and sour, and is widely used as a main ingredient in various sauces including Worcestershire sauce, jam, and beverages. In Thailand, the Philippines, and India, which are the main distribution regions, it is widely used as a spice ingredient for soups, stews, salads, and various meat and noodle dishes.
Tamarind is also known to have various beneficial effects on the body as it is rich in various vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. It is said that it has been widely used as a medicine to treat various diseases since ancient times in major mountainous regions due to these excellent effects. Now, let’s take a look at the main effects of tamarind and the side effects to be aware of when ingesting them one by one.
Tamarind’s main benefits
1. Gut health
The dietary fiber rich in tamarind not only helps the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestine, but also promotes the movement of the large intestine, reducing the time it takes for feces to pass through the large intestine, which is effective in helping to facilitate bowel movements. It is said that it helps a lot in removing sukbyeon stuck to the intestinal wall without being discharged in time through the peristaltic movement of the intestine. In addition, the rich dietary fiber of tamarind adsorbs harmful substances and toxins in the intestines and helps to excrete them, which is said to help prevent colon-related diseases and lower the risk of colorectal cancer.
In addition, by the complex action of dietary fiber and various vitamins and minerals contained in tamarind, it facilitates digestion and at the same time emulsifies fat to increase the activity of bile, which helps digestion and absorption. It is known to be very helpful.
2. Prevention of vascular disease
The dietary fiber contained in tamarind is said to be good for intestinal health as well as blood vessel health. It not only helps to reduce LDL cholesterol level, which is the cause of inflammation by penetrating into the inner wall of blood vessels, but also helps in the discharge of waste products from the blood vessels, thereby helping to prevent various vascular diseases. In addition, the rich potassium in tamarind works by balancing sodium, helping to maintain normal blood pressure and improving the smooth flow of blood.
3. Anti-inflammatory
When inflammation, which corresponds to a normal immune response, is excessively generated, the risk of various chronic diseases and metabolic diseases is increased. It is said that tamarind has an excellent effect in reducing inflammation that is excessively produced by vitamin C and essential oil, which are abundant in tamarind, which causes damage to tissues in the body. It is also said to be effective in preventing various inflammatory diseases, including arthritis, due to its excellent anti-inflammatory action. It is said that it has been widely used as a medicine for the treatment of inflammation in main producing areas including India.
4. Weight loss
Tamarind is rich in hydroxytrinic acid (HCA). This HCA component is involved in inhibiting the activity of an enzyme that plays an important role in the stage of carbohydrate conversion from fat. It is said that it can help weight loss by inhibiting the accumulation of visceral fat and body fat by blocking the synthesis and production of fat through this enzyme inhibitory action. In addition, HCA component is one of the neurotransmitters and also affects the secretion of serotonin, a hormone related to appetite, so it is said that weight loss effect is obtained through appetite suppression.
Other benefits and side effects
Tamarind contains vitamins A and B2, including vitamin C, so it not only improves blemishes on the skin, but also has a whitening effect that brightens the skin. Tamarind also contains AHA, which is said to have a good effect on exfoliating the skin. In addition, it is reported that tamarind also contains components of the vitamin B group that are involved in various body metabolism, so it helps to improve nerve function and create muscles. In addition, various effects such as the improvement of diabetes through blood sugar control, the improvement of anemia through the production of red blood cells rich in iron, and the reduction of body heat are also among the main effects of tamarind.
Although tamarind has various benefits, there are also side effects to be aware of. It is recommended not to consume large amounts at once if you are taking anticoagulants or have high blood pressure, as it thins blood and prevents clotting by lowering blood pressure. In addition, while the cool nature of tamarind acts to lower the body heat, it is recommended to consume in moderation because people with a cold constitution can have problems if consumed in excess.
