8 Tamarind Benefits For Health And Beauty

Written by Lopa K26th Feb 2021
8 Tamarind Benefits for Health and Beauty

Are you tired of your mom adding imli aka tamarind to every single dish to give it an added sour flavour? Well, after this not only will you beg her to continue but will also want to add it to your skincare routine. Tamarind has several benefits from exfoliating your skin to managing diabetes and controlling weight gain.

 

What is the nutritional value of tamarind?

FAQs on tamarind health benefits

Tamarind has tons of health benefits as it is rich in way too many nutrients to list here. But to name a few that may catch your eye, it has catechin, AHAs, citric acid, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidizing properties. Well, let’s take a look at how this is going to help your health if you add it to your skincare routine and diet.

 

Tamarind health benefits: Why add it to your skincare and diet

FAQs on tamarind health benefits

Exfoliates and evens skin tone

Tamarind has AHAs and citric acid which help cleanse the skin of dead cells and other impurities. This natural exfoliator also evens your skin tone and hydrates it while reducing excess sebum which leads to oily skin. You can prep your skin with the Simple Booster Serum before exfoliating with tamarind.

Soothes skin

As mentioned, tamarind has several skin benefits since it is rich in vitamin A, C and flavonoids which prevent free radicals responsible for ageing. Applying tamarind pulp also soothes skin irritation and inflammations. You can top it off with the Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner for softer skin.

Mitigates liver injuries

Drinking tamarind juice also benefits liver issues like chronic inflammation or stress on the organ. Since it is an antioxidant and has vitamin E it protects the liver from free radicals. Did you know that tamarind also has magnesium, nickel and iron needed to strengthen your immune system?

Controls weight

Are you a sucker for sweets but cannot seem to control your weight? Well, tamarind is the only sweet and sour fruit that can control weight gain and obesity. If you are diagnosed with clinical obesity and are having a hard time losing weight, tamarind also cuts down bad cholesterol levels which is a consequence of this medical condition. It also curtails the activity of fatty acid synthase which is one of the factors responsible for weight gain in the first place.

Treats constipation

While many don’t mind constipation as a consequence of a fun meal, it can end up affecting your health. Your body ends up becoming a hub of toxins and which leads to tired and haggard skin. Boiling tamarind in water and drinking it is just the solution you need since it is a laxative. You can also pick a tastier option as rasam’s key ingredient happens to be tamarind.

Prevents microbial diseases

Tamarind truly is an all-rounder since it even treats the common cold and fever. Thanks to its anti-microbial properties it was used as traditional medicine and is now used as a home remedy to hasten recovery from cold and even malaria along with your prescribed medications. 

Manages diabetes

Yes, tamarind has tons of shocking benefits as it can also help manage diabetes! It reduces sugar levels and does wonders on inflamed pancreatic cells which is a major cause of diabetes. It also helps restore lost insulin by regenerating new pancreatic beta cells.

Helps hypertension

Even the seeds of tamarind can be used since the plant is known to have anti-hypertensive tendencies. And so, eating it can control blood pressure, reduce the risk of clogged arteries and treat abnormal lesions on the artery walls. Its anti-inflammatory properties not only benefit the skin but also prevents cardiovascular diseases which can be caused due to hypertension.

 

Fun Facts about Imli

FAQs on tamarind health benefits

  • Tamarind has probably been a part of your life since your childhood from sour dishes like rasam to munching on imli candies. But did you know that it did not originate in India but in Africa?
  • While it has not been scientifically proven, tamarind has been used as an age-old remedy for snakebites!
  • Once again, Indians truly are experts at trusting home remedies before scientific and clinical research took over medical treatments. In many cultures, tamarind was used to prevent blood clotting and haemorrhage.

 

How to use tamarind?

FAQs on tamarind health benefits

Method 1: Using fresh tamarind in cooking

  • Boil 30 gms of tamarind in 100 ml of water. You can also simply soak it in water for 10 minutes.

  • Squeeze the tamarind till it becomes a pulp and strain the juice. 

  • Voila, you’re done! Add it to any dish to give it a tangy taste like a curry or rasam.

Method 2: Dry and use tamarind in cooking

  • Leave tamarind in the sun till it’s semi-dry. 

  • Put it in a glass jar and fill it with water.

  • Leave it in the fridge for the night.

  • The next day, squeeze it till it becomes a pulp. Store it in the fridge and use it in your cooking whenever you want.

Method 3: Apply tamarind to skin

  • Make a pulp out of the tamarind and apply it to your face. You can also add turmeric to the pulp since it has healing properties maximizing the full benefits of tamarind. 

  • Keep the paste on your face for 15 to 20 minutes and then wash it off with a mild cleanser like Ponds Bright Beauty Spot-less Glow Face Wash.

  • You can apply tamarind to your face thrice a week.

 

FAQs on tamarind health benefits

FAQs on tamarind health benefits

1) What are the benefits of eating tamarind?

There are several health benefits to eating tamarind like curing liver injuries, aiding weight loss and managing diabetes. Refer to the article above for the benefits of this fruit in detail.

2) What are the side effects of tamarind?

There are some side effects as too much tamarind can corrode the tooth enamel, cause acid reflux, allergic reaction and narrow blood vessels. It is advised to eat it in small portions.

3) How much tamarind should I eat daily?

You can eat 10 gms of tamarind a day by adding it to your cooking.

4) Can tamarind help me sleep?

While there is no concrete clinical result, tamarind has been known to be used as an age-old remedy to treat insomnia since it has magnesium, a mineral needed to induce sleep.

Lopa K

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