Tamarind - The Calcium Pump

We all know tamarind as just a sweet and sour food used to make chutneys or added to curry preparations. But in terms of nutrition, it is by far a highly precious fruit for mankind.


Tamarind is a fruit that grows on the Tamarindus indica tree (a tropical fruit tree) in dry climates. The fruits are long and approximately 2 cm wide. The ripe fruit is filled with a sticky pulp.

As the fruit pods mature, they fill out a juicy brown or reddish-brown acidulous pulp. When fully ripe, the shells are brittle and can be easily broken. The pulp eventually dehydrates to a sticky paste enclosed by coarse strands of fiber.

This indigenous fruit tree grows well in semi-arid tropical harsh climatic conditions. It grows throughout India and is found in the states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Rajasthan and northeastern Indian states.

Unlike other fruits, the amazing fact about tamarind is that it is one of the richest sources of calcium and phosphorous amongst fruits and vegetables. On top of it, the fruit is extensively available and economical too. The fruit contains up to 73% edible pulp. Pulp is a rich source of calcium, phosphorous, and B vitamins like riboflavin, niacin and thiamine.

Due to various nutrient inhibitors present in the fruit, all of the calcium from the fruit is not available for absorption. But even if 50 percent of calcium is available to the body, we by far meet our daily recommendations by consuming less than 100 grams in a day.

Pulp of tamarind in India is used in several ways. It is used in the preparations of chutney, tamarind powder, puree, juice concentrate, jam, jelly, candies and pickles.

Nutrient content of Tamarind (per 100 grams of edible pulp)

Protein	2.3 g
Fiber	2.9 g
Calcium	3494 mg
Phosphorous	3478 mg
Vitamin C	44 mg

Generally most fruits contain 150 to 600 mg of calcium per 100 grams. On the other hand, tamarind contains nearly 3000 mg of calcium per 100 grams of edible fruit.

Consumption of a tamarind beverage, sherbet, can easily meet the daily calcium recommendations and help keep bones and joints healthy.

Other Health Benefits

Other health benefits of tamarind are:

Digestion:

The pulp of the ripe fruit is beneficial in the treatment of flatulence, vomiting and indigestion. An infusion of the pulp prepared by softening it in water is particularly useful for loss of appetite and lack of inclination for food intake.

Immunity:

Tamarind, which is rich in vitamin C, helps to build immunity and keep infections away.

Common cold:

Tamarind pepper rasam- a clear soup is considered an effective home remedy for colds in South India. It is prepared by boiling dilute tamarind water in a teaspoon of hot ghee and half a teaspoon of black pepper powder for a few minutes. The hot rasam has flushing effects. As one takes it, the nose and eye water and the nasal blockage is cleared.

Fever:

The pulp of tamarind is useful in treating fevers. A sherbet made by boiling 30 grams of pulp in half a liter of milk with the addition of a few dates, cloves, sugar, cardamom and a little camphor is found to be effective in fevers.

Sore throat:

Gargle of tamarind water is beneficial in the treatment of sore throat.