The tamarind, known as Tamarindus indica L., is a fruit with a sour taste that we all love. It is so popular in Mexico that we use it to prepare fresh waters, spicy sweets, and other dishes and snacks.

In addition to being the perfect ingredient for drinks, snacks, and sweets, tamarind has multiple health benefits. If you crave a tamarind drink, here’s why it’s a good idea to consume it and what tamarind is used for, you will be surprised!

What is tamarind?

According to experts, tamarind is a legume native to Africa, although it is also produced in countries such as Mexico, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Costa Rica, among others. It is characterized by a sour and sweet taste that fascinates everyone who tries it.

This delicious fruit arrived in our country during the Spanish colonization. Its cultivation spread throughout all tropical areas of the country, becoming an essential ingredient in Mexican cuisine.

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Tamarind: vitamins and minerals

Tamarind is rich in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, making it the ideal option for preparing teas, fresh waters, and other dishes.

Tamarind contains significant amounts of:

• Calcium
• Copper
• Phosphorus
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Potassium
• Vitamin B1
• Vitamin B2
• Vitamin B3

Medicinal uses of tamarind

For hundreds of years, tamarind has been an essential ingredient in traditional medicine. For example, tamarind tea has been used to treat constipation, diarrhea, fever, and even malaria. On the other hand, the bark of the tree and the leaves are also used to accelerate the process of healing.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, this legume also has laxative, diuretic, astringent, antipyretic, and antiseptic properties. It is also used to make home remedies to treat liver diseases, asthma, alcohol intoxication, digestive issues, hypertension, headaches, colds, coughs, whip burns, hemorrhoids, vomiting, jaundice, sores, inflammation, and bleeding.

In the case of Western medicine, scientists have found that tamarind is rich in polyphenols, a substance rich in antioxidants and with anti-inflammatory properties. Thanks to its effectiveness, this substance has benefits for the heart, cancer, and diabetes. As you can see, the medicinal properties of tamarind are numerous.

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The benefits of tamarind

Different scientific studies have shown that this tropical fruit has many health benefits, so we recommend including it in your diet as soon as possible; you won’t regret it.

Tamarind against hypertension

Because tamarind contains large amounts of magnesium, it becomes a good option for controlling hypertension and, to top it off, it is also beneficial for diabetics.

Reduces the risk of cancer

According to scientists, we should all consume a significant amount of antioxidants daily, as this substance helps decrease the negative effects of free radicals, which translates to a lower likelihood of developing cancer. Therefore, since tamarind is rich in antioxidants, we recommend enjoying fresh teas and waters, but remember not to add too much sugar.

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Tamarind for a healthy brain

In addition to helping control blood pressure and being a great antioxidant, tamarind is also perfect for the brain, as this fruit is rich in B vitamins, which are necessary for the proper functioning of the brain and the nervous system.

Strong bones

Since tamarind is rich in magnesium and iron, it becomes a perfect food for taking care of your bones; however, you should also consume vitamin D.

Antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties

According to scientific research, tamarind extract contains natural substances that combat microbes. On the other hand, other studies have indicated that the tropical fruit may have antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties.