A look at “25 Incredible Health Benefits of Black Velvet Tamarind” Black Velvet Tamarind: A Nutritious Fruit with Amazing Health Benefits
If you’re looking for a fruit that’s packed with nutrition and offers a unique taste, look no further than black velvet tamarind. This fruit, also known as Dialium Guineense, is a type of tamarind with a hard, black velvety shell, orange sticky pulp, and a flat, circular brown seed. In this article, we’ll explore the many health benefits of black velvet tamarind and show you how to incorporate this delicious fruit into your diet.
25 Incredible Health Benefits of Black Velvet Tamarind
#1. Cures malaria
One of the health benefits of black velvet tamarind is to cure malaria. The decoction of black velvet tamarind has the ability to inhibit the growth of plasmodium falciparum which is the main cause of malaria. Therefore the malaria patient will be quickly recovered.
#2. Treats gastric ulcer
The other benefit of black velvet tamarind for human health is to treat gastric ulcers. The black velvet tamarind increases gastric mucus secretion to care for gastric ulcer and protect the colon from the cancer cell. of course, the intake should be in the recommended serving amount.
#3. Prevents hypertension
Black velvet tamarind is known to contain potassium. Potassium is able to control the heartbeat and make the heart easier in pumping blood. In the other words, black velvet tamarind is able to reduce the risk of hypertension.
#4. Anti-inflammatory
It can be said that almost all kind of tamarinds contains vitamin C. one of the benefits of Vitamin C contained in the pulp of black velvet tamarind is to help fights against microbial infection. In addition, it can also reduce inflammation in bronchial tubes because of bronchitis.
#5. Cures toothache
Black velvet tamarind also helps to solve mouth problems such as toothache. The compounds in black velvet tamarind are able to clean plaque, caries, and bacteria which are the main cause of toothache.
#6. Relieves menstrual cramps
Women commonly got menstrual cramps during their period. To relieve the cramps, they usually take some analgesic medicine. However, don’t you know that black velvet tamarind can provide you with a natural analgesic source? Well, one of the health benefits of black velvet tamarind is that it has significant analgesics to relieve pains, including pain during menstruation.
#7. Treats diabetes
As included in the Diabetes Treatments With Natural Sources and Activities, black velvet tamarind is also beneficial to treat generative diseases, such as diabetes. It is able to lower blood sugar and increase insulin sensitivity.
#8. Cures hemorrhoid
Among all the nutritious values of black velvet tamarind, one of these is useful to treat hemorrhoids or piles. Ethanol contained in black velvet tamarind is very good for hemorrhoid treatment. It will reduce inflammation and gradually shrinks the abscess.
#9. Increases antioxidant
Tamarind is loved for its particular refreshing sour taste. Like the other tamarind varieties, Nigerian black velvet tamarind also has a sour taste. The taste comes from tartaric acid which also acts as an antioxidant. We know that antioxidant is very beneficial to fight free radicals. It can be an inference that the antioxidant we get from consuming black velvet tamarind is able to prevent aging and protect from many diseases.
#10. Boosts immune system
Antioxidant added with vitamin C is a good combination to perform the health benefit of black velvet tamarind. The combination is very useful to boost the immune system of our body. Therefore, the long-term consumption of black velvet tamarind the recommended intake will ensure long-term health from microbial and fungal infection.
#11. Improves lactation
For new mothers, the amount of breast milk is very important. Sometimes they get difficulty increasing the amount of breast milk. However, consuming black velvet tamarind might be the solution to the problem, since the fruit pulp of black velvet tamarind is able to increase milk secretion.
#12. Treats wound
Among all kinds of acids contained in black velvet tamarind, ascorbic acid is one of the beneficial acids for the human body, especially to treat wounds. This kind of acid will protect the wound form bacteria so that it is able to prevent infection on the wound.
#13. Nourishes skin
Besides treating wounds well, the ascorbic acid of black velvet tamarind is also able to stimulate the growth of healthy skin. It is also able to nourish the skin when we consume black velvet tamarind regularly.
#14. Lowers cholesterol level
The other health benefit you can get from consuming black velvet tamarind is fulfilling your need for dietary fiber. The dietary fiber from the sticky pulp of Black velvet tamarind is very useful to reduce the bad cholesterol in the blood.
#15. Maintains good digestion
Related to the digestive system, the benefit of black velvet tamarind you can take is the supply of dietary fiber. Dietary fiber is able to increase bulk and bowel movement so that we are able to prevent constipation. It is also able to bind toxins from the digested food and protect the digestive organs.
#16. Maintains good metabolism
Black velvet tamarind is rich in vitamins including thiamin, vitamin A, folic acid, niacin, riboflavin, and most important vitamin C. besides acting as an antioxidant to fight free radicals, these vitamins also help the function for enzyme metabolism of the human body.
#17. Cures dry eyes
According to research, the compound contained in the black velvet tamarind decoction is similar to the mucin in the eye. Mucin is a good mucus for our body. This fluid is in charge to protect and moistures the cornea. Therefore, the black velvet tamarind’s compounds is now planned to be used as one of the ingredients for eye drop as the treatment for dry eyes.
#18. Prevents anemia
The next health benefit of black velvet tamarind is the iron found in it. The amount of iron in the black velvet tamarind is able to boost red blood production which is needed to prevent anemia.
#19. Useful for pregnant women
It is amazing that these tiny fruits actually have anti-abortifacient components. It prevents abortion for pregnancy. therefore, it is recommended for women with a new pregnancy, as it will strengthen the pregnancy. it also contains vitamin A which is beneficial for pregnancy as included in Benefits of Vitamin A during Pregnancy
#20. Treats bronchitis
According to research, black velvet tamarind is also able to treat respiratory problems such as bronchitis. the symptoms of acute bronchitis can be read in Symptoms of Bronchitis. Bronchitis patients can treat the disease with black velvet tamarind.
#21. Maintains healthy kidney
Black velvet tamarind is also a good diuretic. black velvet tamarind is able to bind the toxin and optimize urine excretion in the kidney. it will also prevent kidney stones disease. To be aware of the symptom of kidney stones, you can read Symptoms of Kidney Stones From Small
#22. Lowers body temperature
One of the health benefits of black velvet tamarind which has been used as a traditional aid is to lower body temperature. People from long ago soaked black velvet tamarind in water, and drink the water to reduce fever.
#23. Relieves diarrhea
A study on black velvet tamarind reveals that the fruit has astringent action of which able to check the excessive discharge of body fluid such as diarrhea.
#24. Fights harmful microorganisms
As the black velvet tamarind has pulp and seed in it, each part has its own benefits for health. For example, the pulp has strong antimicrobial to fight against many harmful microorganisms.
#25. Reduces micro-nutrient deficiency
An unhealthy lifestyle makes people unaware of the need for nutritious food. Some people prefer something instant that is able to quickly fill their need for food without considering the nutrition contained in it. This kind of habit leads to micronutrient deficiency.
As we know we need those micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Our daily food does not always contains the required amount of nutrient. On the other hand, black velvet tamarind is able to be used as an option to fulfill the need for micronutrients as the nutritional values contained in it.
Cautions of Black Velvet Tamarind
Black velvet tamarind is known to lower blood sugar. Therefore, for those with diabetes, it is suggested that you watch your black velvet tamarind intake since it may interfere with your effort to regulate your blood sugar. In addition, for those who plan to have surgery, it is better to stop the black velvet tamarind intake two weeks before the surgery, since it might also interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery.
Nutrients of black velvet tamarind
Further, the Journal of Food Biochemistry published that the composition of black velvet tamarind’s seed and pulp respectively is listed as follows:
- Moisture 5.9 and 4.9
- Organic matter 97.5 and 98.2
- Dry matter 94.1 and 95.1
- Crude protein 15.7 and 4.2
- Crude fat 5.4 and 2.6
- Ash 2.5 and 1.8
- Crude fiber 6.6 and 2.2
- Total carbohydrates 70.6 and 86.6
- Ascorbic acid 6.4 and 35.7
What is Black Velvet Tamarind? (Origin)
Black velvet tamarind is a seasonal fruit and is native to Africa, especially those in tropical areas like West African countries, and has the scientific name of Dialium indium or Wild Dialium Guineense.
It is often regarded as Nigerian velvet tamarind or African velvet tamarind and is known locally in Igbo as Icheku, In Yoruba as Awin, and in Hausa as tsamiya-kurm. It is also called licki-licki by some people.
It is also grown in other African countries such as Senegal, and Ghana, known as Yoyi, and its cultivation, has extended to other tropical Asian countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.
Its physical characteristics include a black velvet shell that is hard and brittle, the orange pulp that is sticky when moist, and a circular flat seed that is brown in color.
Medicinal Uses of Black Velvet Tamarind
Though it is not scientifically proven, locally, black velvet tamarind has been used to treat many ill-health conditions, which is said to have proven effective, including the root, leaves, and bark of the black velvet tamarind tree.
It is used in the treatment of malaria and diabetics as it reduces blood sugar, is used as a pain reliever, treats bronchitis, and much more.
Downsides of Black Velvet Tamarind
Since black velvet tamarind is good for the body, those with a history of gastric ulcers should take it moderately not to aggravate the condition.
For diabetic patients, the intake of this fruit should be in moderation. Though it is good in reducing the sugar level in the blood, it might make it lower than the normal level rather than regulating it.
Conclusion
Black Velvet Tamarind is not as common as other fruits like oranges, bananas, apples, etc., because it is a seasonal fruit, and even most times, it is neglected by many people. Still, it contains many vitamins that many of the popular fruits and come with other health benefits.
See Also | 12 Incredible Health Benefits And Nutrition Facts of Garden Egg Leaves
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