Tamarind is a tropical fruit native to Africa and is grown in the tamarind tree also known scientifically as Tamarindus indica. It also grows in tropical countries like India. It grows in bean-like pods in which the fruit surrounds its seeds and as it ripens it becomes a paste in texture and consists of a sweet-sourish flavor. Tamarind is used in medicine, and cooking and can be used as a metal polish because it is rich in tartaric acid.

Furthermore, here are the nutrients it consists of:

• Magnesium: 26% of the daily value (DV)
• Potassium: 16% of the DV
• Iron: 19% of the DV
• Calcium: 7% of the DV
• Phosphorus: 11% of the DV
• Copper: 11% of the DV
• Vitamin B1 (thiamin): 43% of the DV
• Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): 14% of the DV
• Vitamin B3 (niacin): 15% of the DV

Here are the benefits:

• One study has shown that tamarind extract has lowered total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglycerides.
• It is able to reduce oxidative damage to LDL cholesterol which causes heart disease.
• As shown above, tamarind is relatively high in magnesium and since magnesium is a main chemical in more than 600 body functions it can reduce blood pressure, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic effects.
• In a 2014 animal study, tamarind decreased the process of Renal Cell Carcinoma which is cancer in the kidneys.
• It is able to protect the liver thanks to the antioxidants called procyanidins that counter free radical damage to the liver.

References

Kim Rose-Francis. (2023). What Is Tamarind? A Tropical Fruit with Health Benefits. Healthline.

Nicola Shubrook. (2023). Top 6 health benefits of tamarind.