Health Benefits of Tiger nuts

Tiger nuts are considered as super foods because it’s numerous health benefits. More over tiger nuts nutrient profile looks like that of human breast milk. They are allergen free, gluten free, lactose free, and packed full of resistant starch, which is a type of fibre that is pre-biotic. Consumption of tiger nut  can help prevent heart disease and thrombosis and is said to activate blood circulation and reduce the risk of colon cancer.

Tigernuts are not actually nuts as the name implies but tubers, however it shares  the same chemical composition and characteristics with tubers and nuts. Tiger nuts are excellent sources of dietary fibre, sugar, phosphorus, carbohydrates, fat, protein, potassium, zinc, sodium, calcium, magnesium and traces of copper, vitamin C and vitamin E.

Tiger nuts has a lot of health benefits some of  which are outlined below

Health Benefits of Tigernut

1.Contains Healthy Oil

Tiger nuts oil was found to contain 18 per cent saturated (palmitic acid and stearic acid) and 82 per cent unsaturated (oleic acid and linoleic acid) fatty acids. Oleic acid is a MUFA (monounsaturated fatty acid) that helps increase your body’s HDL cholesterol (1).

2. Weight loss tool

Tiger nuts can be used as a weight loss tool because it acts as a mild appetite suppressant as result of its high content of  resistant starch, a type of starch, which resists digestion. This helps keep us feeling fuller for longer, and also reduces the amount of calories we absorb from the food.

3. Controls Diabetes

Tiger nuts dose not cause spikes in blood sugar levels because calories are slowly released as a result of its high fibre content.

4. Boosts fertility

Tiger nuts boosts fertility in both male and female. Tiger nuts supplies the body with enough quantity of Vitamin E, vitamin C,  zinc and quercetin essential for fertility in both men and women. Tiger nuts has been found to stimulate sexual arousal and also improve sexual performance.

5. Act as  Diuretic

Studies has shown that consumption of tiger nuts promotes the production of urine.

6. Aids digestion

The fibre in tiger nut makes the digestive system to be in good working condition.  It facilitate the easy movement of food in the digestive tract.

7. Controls Blood Pressure

An amino acid, arginine present in tiger nut has been shown to be beneficial to those suffering from high blood pressure. Arginine  aids in conditions that are caused or made worse by restricted blood vessels such as clogged arteries, chest pain, erectile dysfunction, heart disease or failure, artery diseases, muscle cramps, and headache.2

8. Boost the immune system

Tiger nuts contains a type of starch that resist digestion often referred to as resistant Starch. Resistant starch helps our bodies to naturally develop probiotic (friendly) bacteria ensuring a strong immune system,” said Ludovica Vigliardi Paravia, spokesman for Organic Gemini 3

9. Reduces risk of colon cancer.

Tigernut is a good colon evacuator and cleanser because of its high fiber content. The faster waste products of digestion are evacuated the less likely they are to cause sickness and diseases

10. Promote Muscle and Nerve Functions.

Tiger nuts contains magnesium which is involved in more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. Magnesium helps promote normal muscle and nerve function,

11. Skin care

Tiger nuts oil can be used in the cosmetic industry for the production of skin care products because of its content of vitamin E. Vitamin E helps slow down the ageing of the body cells. It also favours the elasticity of the skin and reduces skin wrinkles.

12. Substitute for milk.

Tiger nut extract can be used as a substitute for milk by those suffering from lactose intolerance. Thus Tiger nuts milk can be used as an alternative source of milk in fermented products such as yogurt and others.

13. Detoxifies the Liver

The liver whose main function is to filter blood coming from the digestive tract, before passing it to the rest of the body is detoxifed by tiger nuts. Consumption of tiger nuts is essential for detoxifying the liver and eradicating toxins from the human body.4

14. Production of Confectionaries .

The flour of tigernut can be used in most baking and smoothie recipes, adding a sweet and nutty flavour, and is gluten-free, nut-free and dairy-free. It can also be used for cookies, brownies, cakes and even pizza dough.

15.Hair care

Tiger nuts are used in manufacture of natural hair products because of its antioxidants and moisturising properties. Its primary benefits to hair are protection and moisture. With its solid source of magnesium, tiger nuts help women suffering from magnesium deficiency, which can contribute to scalp hair loss. 5

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References

1. globalfoodbook.com/benefits-of-tiger-nuts-aya-ofio-aki-hausa-yellow-nutsedge-earth-almonds

2. jlr.org/content/38/9/1746.full.pdf

3. m.guardian.ng/…/tiger-nuts-boost-fertility-in-men-women-by-researchers

4.https://www.google.com.ng/amp/s/www.naij.com/amp/271563-69500.html

5. http://tessyonyia.com/2016/07/health-benefits-of-tiger-nuts-how-to-make-tiger-nut-milk-the-wonder-drink.html