Tamarind (Tamarindus indica), also referred to as Imli, is a tropical fruit present in Mexican, Asian, Caribbean and Middle Eastern cuisines. Tamarind is sort of a flexible ingredient and will be used to make sauces, soups, jams, pickles, sweets, desserts and dips.
But along with serving as a flavoring ingredient, it also helps treat many medical conditions. Due to its dietary properties, tamarind is usually used as a natural treatment.
Tamarind improves heart health, lowers cholesterol and is filled with antioxidants. But does tamarind help with diabetes? What are the advantages of sweet tamarind for individuals with diabetes?
How Much Tamarind Is Good For You? You can find all of the solutions in this text.
A healthy link between tamarind and diabetes
Vitamins and antioxidants contained in tamarind may reduce the chance of developing chronic diseases. These antioxidants cleanse the body of internal and external toxins corresponding to free radicals and activate key digestive enzymes. In addition, it reduces oxidative stress.
As a result, it might protect against cancer, heart problems, neurological problems, and hyperglycemia. It gets all its goodness from vitamin C, beta-carotene and polyphenols.
Tamarind pulp is wealthy in minerals corresponding to magnesium, which improves insulin sensitivity. This makes it suitable for controlling blood sugar levels. In addition, potassium and polyphenolic substances corresponding to flavonoids present in tamarind pulp help reduce inflammation and improve cardiovascular health.
What does the research say?
Tamarind has a low glycemic index of 23, indicating that it doesn’t cause a blood sugar spike. This is crucial for people living with diabetes. Tests proves that tamarind has an antidiabetic effect.
Tamarind’s medicinal uses play a task in greater than 600 bodily functions. Studies indicate that it has antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties. The antibacterial properties of tamarind are linked to a compound called lupeol.
investigations show that traditional medicine made extensive use of tamarind. It was often used as a drink for fever, malaria, diarrhea and constipation. Tamarind can be significantly wealthy in magnesium. Tests suggests that magnesium improves fasting and postprandial glucose levels and insulin sensitivity.
You can eat tamarind at any time of the day. Due to its high concentration of magnesium, tamarind will help improve sleep. Tamarind juice is most useful when consumed just before bedtime. You can eat 10 grams of tamarind per day.
Is sweet tamarind good for diabetes?
Sweet Tamarind can be referred to as Meethi Imli in Hindi. Its flavor is distinctive as it will possibly be utilized in many Indian recipes as a spicy or savory-sweet condiment, especially in chutney form. They will also be present in mouth-watering chaat dishes.
The glycemic index (GI) of sweet tamarind is lower than 55; due to this fact, it’s a super fruit for individuals with diabetes to eat. They will be eaten sparsely, though they contain natural sugars.
This is because they’re less harmful to the body than processed ones. Nutritionists claim that sweet tamarind has a positive effect on blood sugar levels and may even prevent spikes.
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Possible unwanted effects of tamarind
Hypoglycemia in diabetics
According data, tamarind (Tamarindus indica) has a hypoglycaemic effect. In addition, tamarind can effectively regulate blood sugar levels. But excessive consumption may cause hypoglycemia, a pointy drop in glucose levels.
As a result, if you could have diabetes, be sure you watch your blood sugar levels. You also needs to seek the advice of your doctor before using tamarind-based supplements with diabetes medications. This will assist you to avoid problems.
It affects tooth enamel
The acidic components of tamarind can eventually damage the enamel.
As a result, the teeth are damaged. Unfortunately, overeating tamarind can damage tooth enamel. In addition, tooth sensitivity is because of the exposure of the nerves in this fashion.
Tamarind Seed Side Effects
Eating large amounts of tamarind seeds has been linked to oral submucosal fibrosis, leading to abnormal collagen buildup and restricted mouth opening.
Tamarind seeds have useful dietary properties, but in addition they contain anti-nutrients, especially within the seed coat. Therefore, remove the seed coat and roast the seeds well before consumption. However, tamarind unwanted effects are very rare.
Allergic reactions
One of the worst unwanted effects of tamarind is allergy. Some symptoms include nausea, vomiting, rash, swelling, and itching. As a result, it is best to seek the advice of your doctor and stop consuming tamarind for those who experience any discomfort after consuming it.
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Application
Like all the things else, it’s essential eat tamarind sparsely. It is a low glycemic index (GI) food that’s tasty and savory. In addition to being sinfully delicious, it’s a super fruit for individuals with diabetes to eat.
Although they contain natural sugars, a small amount of tamarind can do wonders on your health. In addition, sweet tamarind has a positive effect on blood sugar levels and may even prevent spikes.
The HealthifyMe app is an all-in-one fitness and health tracking platform. It combines cutting-edge technology to provide users the tools to watch and alter their food and water intake and exercise.
In addition, this tool can measure blood glucose levels. You can watch how your blood glucose changes throughout the day as soon as you employ a CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor).
Maintaining healthy and normal blood sugar levels is vital to stopping long-term, serious health problems corresponding to heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease. So the subsequent time you are feeling like eating more chaat, pickle or an entire sweet tamarind, check your blood glucose with HealthifyPro 2.0.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Does tamarind raise blood sugar?
A. Sweet tamarind is a fruit that individuals with diabetes can eat since it has a glycemic index of lower than 55. However, remember that blood sugar levels may drop too low if tamarind is taken together with diabetes medications.
Q. What happens for those who eat an excessive amount of sweet tamarind?
A. There is not any denying that anything in excess isn’t useful. However, tamarind has a more sour taste that may harm your teeth if consumed in large amounts.
Q. What will occur if we take tamarind daily?
A. The advisable each day intake of tamarind is 10 g. Tamarind is amazingly useful for health, protects the liver and heart against diseases and increases immunity. Tamarinds are fat-free and high in fiber. Since tamarind accommodates flavonoids and polyphenols, consuming it usually can assist you to drop some pounds.
Q. Can tamarind treat diabetes?
A. Tamarind helps control blood sugar levels and protect against the results of diabetes. However, consuming tamarind together with diabetes medications may cause dangerously low blood sugar levels. As a result, keep an in depth eye in your blood sugar levels.
Auxiliary sources
1. Arshad MS, Imran M, Ahmed A, Sohaib M, Ullah A, Nisa MU, Hina G, Khalid W, Rehana H. Tamarind: a diet-based strategy against lifestyle-related diseases. Science Food Nutr. Sep 27, 2019;7(11):3378-3390. doi: 10.1002/fsn3.1218. PMID: 31762991; PMCID: PMC6848808.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6848808/
2. Zohrameena, Shaikh and Mujahid, Mohd and Bagga, Paramdeep and Khalid, Maad and Hasan, Noorul and Ahmad, Nesar and Saba, P. (2017). Medicinal uses and pharmacological activity of Tamarindus indica. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 5. 121-133.
3. Bhadoriya SS, Ganeshpurkar A, Narwaria J, Rai G, Jain AP. Tamarindus indica: A level of potential explored. Pharmacogn Rev. 2011 Jan;5(9):73-81. doi: 10.4103/0973-7847.79102. PMID: 22096321; PMCID: PMC3210002.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3210002/
4. Barbagallo M, Dominguez LJ. Magnesium and Type 2 Diabetes. World Diabetes J. Aug 25, 2015;6(10):1152-7. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v6.i10.1152. PMID: 26322160; PMCID: PMC4549665.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4549665/
5. Krishna RN, Anitha R, Ezhilarasan D. Water extract Indian tamarind fruit pulp has an antihyperglycemic effect. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2020 Sep-October;10(5):440-447. PMID: 32995322; PMCID: PMC7508317.
