Most of us are pretty familiar with the tropical fruit called tamarind and there are plenty of reasons to love it. Before we get to the benefits, it’s important to note that tamarind is quite a popular fruit, even beyond the Caribbean region. Originating in Africa, it is also popular in India, Thailand, South Asia and Mexico.
Lots of Pluses
If the tamarind’s widespread availability does not impress you, its beneficial qualities, which are quite numerous, certainly will. First off, it’s rich in the following essential vitamins: Thiamine, Iron, Magnesium, Calcium, Vitamin C, Potassium.
Tamarind has been proven to help with weight loss, the lowering of blood pressure and it even helps with the prevention of diabetes, all of which are hugely important to many of us here in St. Lucia.
Benefits You Can Feel
Not only do the tartaric acids in tamarind give a zing to your taste buds, there’s also evidence that its antioxidants destroy threatening radicals in your system.
In addition, tamarind is known to ease stomach discomfort and aid in digestion, and it’s also used as a laxative. Certain tamarind preparations are even used to treat fevers, sore throats, inflammation, swollen joints and lots of other conditions!
Used in More Ways than One
Tamarind is, of course, known for being a versatile fruit. With the right methods you can use it as a dessert or even a candy, the most famous one being tamarind balls. Another popular tamarind delicacy is tamarind jam.
As with anything though, too much tamarind can be harmful, especially considering that it has a high calorie count, so consume in moderation!
