什麼是羅望子? 對健康有益的熱帶水果

Tamarind (scientific name: Tamarindus indica), also known as tamarind, tamarind, sour fruit, sour seed, asparagus, nine-layer bark, Thai sweet horn, sour plum tree, asen fruit

What is tamarind?

Tamarind is a hardwood tree scientifically known as Tamarind indica.

It is native to Africa, but also grows in India, Pakistan, and many other tropical areas.

The tree produces bean-like pods filled with seeds surrounded by fibrous pulp.

The flesh of the young fruit is green and sour. As it matures, the juicy pulp turns to a mushy consistency and becomes more sour and sweet.

Interestingly, tamarind is sometimes called "Indian date."

How is it used?

This fruit has many uses, including culinary, health and household uses.

culinary use

Tamarind pulp is widely used in cooking in South and Southeast Asia, Mexico, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. The seeds and leaves are also edible.

It is used in sauces, marinades, chutneys, drinks and desserts. It is also an ingredient in Worcestershire sauce.

Medicinal uses

Tamarind plays an important role in traditional medicine.

In drink form, it is commonly used to treat diarrhea, constipation, fever, and malaria. The bark and leaves can also be used to promote wound healing.

Modern researchers are now studying the plant's potential medicinal uses.

The polyphenols in tamarind have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These protect against diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

home use

Tamarind pulp is also used as a metal polish. It contains tartaric acid, which helps remove tarnish from copper and bronze.

It has high nutritional content

Tamarind is rich in many nutrients. One cup (120 g) of pulp contains:

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

It contains trace amounts of:

  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin K
  • Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
  • folic acid
  • Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)

It also contains 6 grams of fiber, 3 grams of protein, and less than 1 gram of fat. Contains a total of 287 calories.

Almost all of those calories come from sugar—but whole fruit often contains a lot of natural sugar. Despite its high sugar content, tamarind pulp is considered a fruit and not added sugar.

Added sugar has been linked to metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, and is what the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting.

It also contains polyphenols, which are naturally occurring plant compounds that provide health benefits. Many of these act as antioxidants in the body.

Different forms of tamarind

Tamarind is available in prepared forms, such as candies and sweet syrups.

You can also find pure fruit in three main forms:

  • Raw pods. These pods are the least processed form of tamarind. They are still intact and can be easily opened to remove the pulp.
  • Press blocks. To make these, the husks and seeds are removed and the pulp is compressed into chunks. These blocks are just one step away from growing tamarind.
  • Concentrates. Tamarind concentrate is the boiled pulp of the fruit. Preservatives can also be added.

Its antioxidants may promote heart health

This fruit can promote heart health in a variety of ways.

It contains polyphenols such as flavonoids, some of which can help regulate cholesterol levels.

One study in hamsters with high cholesterol found that tamarind fruit extract reduced total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.

Another in vivo animal study found that antioxidants in the fruit can help reduce oxidative damage to LDL cholesterol, a key driver of heart disease.

It is rich in beneficial magnesium

Tamarind is also relatively high in magnesium.

One ounce (30 grams), or just under 1/4 cup, of pulp provides 5% of the DV.

Magnesium has many health benefits and plays a role in more than 600 body functions. It can also help lower blood pressure and has anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects.

However, up to 20% of Americans don't get enough magnesium.

It may have antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial effects

Tamarind extract contains natural compounds that have antibacterial properties.

In fact, research shows that this plant may have antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial activity.

It is also used in traditional medicine to treat diseases such as malaria.

The antibacterial effect of tamarind is attributed to a compound called lupeol.

Tamarind candies may lead to unsafe levels of lead

Exposure to lead is dangerous, especially for children and pregnant women. It can damage the kidneys and nervous system.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cited tamarind sugar as a cause of several cases of lead poisoning in 1999.

The fruit itself does not contain lead. However, because it is acidic, it may cause lead to leach into food from some ceramic containers.

Although it contains fewer calories and less sugar than many other types of candy, it's still candy - making it the least nutritious form of tamarind.

How to eat tamarind

You can enjoy this fruit in many ways.

One is to simply eat the fruit from the raw pod, as shown in this video.

You can also use tamarind paste in cooking. You can prepare it from the pods or buy it as chunks.

The paste is usually mixed with sugar to make candy. Tamarind can also be used to make condiments such as chutney.

Alternatively, you can use frozen, unsweetened pulp or sweetened tamarind syrup for cooking.

You can also use this fruit instead of lemon to add sourness to savory dishes.

generalize

Tamarind is a popular sweet and sour fruit around the world.

It contains many beneficial nutrients.

The two best ways to enjoy this fruit is to eat it raw or use it as an ingredient in delicious dishes.

Review

All comments are moderated before being published

HealthyPIG Magazine

View all
皮質醇管理:如何控制皮質醇?我們能夠自行管理或調節劑量嗎?

皮質醇管理:如何控制皮質醇?我們能夠自行管理或調節劑量嗎?

皮質醇是一種在壓力反應中發揮重要作用的激素,適量的皮質醇可以幫助我們應對壓力和維持健康。然而,過量或長期的高皮質醇水平可能會對身體帶來負面影響。以下我們將探討如何控制和管理皮質醇,包括自然方法、藥物干預、以及測量皮質醇的方式。 1. 自然方法調節皮質醇 壓力管理技術:研究顯示,冥想、深呼吸...
皮質醇是什麼?它如何影響我們的身體與日常生活?

皮質醇是什麼?它如何影響我們的身體與日常生活?

皮質醇(Cortisol)是一種由腎上腺分泌的激素,通常被稱為「壓力荷爾蒙」。它的主要功能是幫助身體應對壓力情境,並且在多種生理過程中扮演重要角色。皮質醇的釋放受腦部下丘腦-垂體-腎上腺軸(HPA軸)控制,這是一個調節人體反應於壓力的系統。 皮質醇對身體的影響 當我們處於壓力下時,皮質...
為什麼我們在緊張時總是忍不住吃零食?科學解密壓力性飲食行為

為什麼我們在緊張時總是忍不住吃零食?科學解密壓力性飲食行為

當人們感到緊張或壓力時,經常會無意識地吃零食,這種行為主要涉及大腦的多巴胺系統、情緒反應以及身體的生理需求。以下是背後的幾個主要原因: 壓力荷爾蒙的影響:壓力會觸發皮質醇的釋放,這種壓力激素會引發人們對高糖和高脂肪食物的渴望。這些食物能帶來短暫的愉悅感,因為它們能刺激大腦分泌多巴胺,讓人感...
光學治療濕疹 - 全面總結

光學治療濕疹 - 全面總結

簡介 光療使用光波來治療某些皮膚問題。皮膚會暴露於紫外線 (UV) 光下一段設定的時間。光療利用人造的紫外線光源,紫外線也來自陽光。當與一種叫做甲氧補骨脂素的藥物一起使用時,這個程序稱為 PUVA 光療。 紫外線光能夠抑制皮膚中的免疫系統細胞,對於因免疫系統過度反應引起的皮膚問題有幫助。可以使...
什麼是「操縱者」?

什麼是「操縱者」?

操縱者,也可以說成「擅用手段的人」,「心機重的人」。操縱者利用欺騙、影響或者其他形式的心理操控來控制或影響他人,以達到自己的目標。他們的行為通常包含使用隱蔽、間接或偷偷摸摸的手法來獲得他們想要的東西,往往是以犧牲他人為代價。以下是一些常見的特徵和手段: 欺騙: 他們可能會說謊或扭曲事實來誤...
什麼是肌肉抽搐?你需要去看醫生嗎?

什麼是肌肉抽搐?你需要去看醫生嗎?

肌肉抽搐,也稱為肌束顫動,是指身體各部分出現不自主的肌肉收縮。以下是肌肉抽搐的原因、症狀及管理方法的詳細介紹: 肌肉抽搐的原因 壓力和焦慮 高水平的壓力和焦慮會導致肌肉緊張和抽搐。身體對壓力的反應會觸發神經系統,導致肌肉不自主地收縮。 疲勞 過度使用或劇烈運動後的肌肉疲勞會導致肌...
蘋果與牙齒健康:保護牙齒的小技巧

Apples and Dental Health: Tips to Protect Your Teeth

Apples are widely loved for their rich nutritional content and refreshing taste. However, apples' acidic and sugary content may also have an impact...
蘋果籽的毒性:它們真的有毒嗎?

Apple Seed Toxicity: Are They Really Poisonous?

Apple seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, compounds that break down in the body to produce cyanide, which has raised concerns about the toxicity o...
有機蘋果與傳統蘋果:哪個更健康?

Organic apples vs. conventional apples: Which one is healthier?

Apple is one of the common fruits in our daily life, but when choosing, many people are confused whether to choose organic apples or traditional ap...