9 Incredible Health Benefits of Tiger Nuts
Also known as yellow nutsedge, earth almond, and chufa, tiger nuts are a superfood that trace their origins in ancient Egypt. Although they are not related to the tiger or nuts family, these tubers pack quite a powerful punch that is deserving of their moniker; Imagine a single food that enriches your body with almost all the essential nutrients you need and more. Therefore, whether you prefer them as flour, ice cream, milk or whole, eating tiger nuts is a sure way to a healthier and happier life. Here are 9 amazing health benefits of tiger nuts.
1. They Contain High Fiber Content
Fiber is an incredible and essential requirement in your body and should always make a significant portion of your diet. It contains a wide array of health benefits which include maintaining a healthy digestive system and making bowel movements much easier; this is what saves you from being constipated and other indigestion related conditions. Fiber also helps you check your body weight by increasing satiety; it makes you feel full faster and for a long period, therefore, reducing the need to eat more or frequently. Moreover, fiber regulates blood sugar and body cholesterol, keeping them at optimum levels. The good news is, tiger nuts contain higher amounts of dietary fiber than your typical fiber foods such as cabbage, oats and rice bran, making them a better option when it comes to optimizing your health.
2. They are a Rich Source of Magnesium
Magnesium is a critical mineral in your body, responsible for Initiation more than 300 biochemical reactions. A magnesium deficiency can have severe effects on your body including frequent muscle cramps, palpitations, seizures (even when you don’t have a seizure disorder), and a tingly sensation in your fingers and toes. This is because magnesium facilitates the proper functioning of your muscles and nerves. Therefore, tiger nuts provide the adequate amounts of magnesium needed for proper body functioning as it helps in regulating your heartbeat and therefore your blood pressure, working with protein to build and develop muscles for energy, and ensuring proper nerve impulses amongst other uses.
3. They are a Good Source of Potassium
Amongst the many health benefits of tiger nuts are regulating fluid balance and blood pressure, eliminating bloating and by reducing water retention, preventing kidney stones and protecting against stroke; all of these thanks to their high potassium content. According to the Food and Nutrition Board, potassium is essential for the proper functioning of cells and other body organs such as the heart and the kidney. A potassium deficiency causes vital organs to malfunction leading to undesirable results such as fatigue, constipation, and low blood pressure, which can culminate to worse medical conditions if left unchecked. Again, just like its fiber content, tiger nuts contain higher amounts of potassium than bananas, oranges, potatoes, and cucumbers; a superfood indeed.
4. They are a Remedy for Erectile Dysfunction
If you are a man struggling with erectile dysfunction (ED), you can always bring back the romp in your bedroom life by eating or drinking tiger nuts. The magic to holding out in bed or having a firm erection lies in the circulation of blood. When your body’s blood pressure is not functioning properly for various reasons, it fails to reach essential body organs including your sexual organs. Therefore, ensuring a steady heartbeat and optimal blood pressure, tiger nuts ensure proper blood circulation, curing erectile dysfunction(ED) in the process. In fact, for decades now, the natives of Ghana have been using these tubers to initiate sexual excitement and fix erectile dysfunction (ED) problems.
5. They Provide Vegetable Protein
Most body functions and processes would fail to operate if your body had no proteins. As such, your body needs large amounts of this macronutrient to stay alive and healthy. Proteins are essential for building and repairing muscles, skin, nails, hair, bones, blood…. the list is endless. The good news is, tiger nuts contains vegetable protein which is better than animal protein because of its low fat and cholesterol quantities. Therefore, giving yourself a treat of tiger nuts guarantees you the proteins you need without putting you at the risk of gaining excess body weight.
6. They Work as Prebiotics
Prebiotics are generally good for your gut because they work by eliminating the bad digestive bacteria in your digestive system. This, in return, boosts your digestion tremendously by allowing the good digestive bacteria to thrive. As such, eating tiger nuts will save you public embarrassments that result from frequent flatulence and belching due to excessive buildup of gas in your gut.
7. They are Good for Diabetes
Diabetes is a medical condition characterized by high blood sugar levels. The condition is often triggered by several reasons including obesity and other lifestyle choices such as the foods you eat. Therefore, due to their high fiber content, tiger nuts help in reducing body weight and regulating blood sugar and pressure which is necessary to avoid obesity and subsequent diabetes. Furthermore, people with diabetes can substitute carbohydrates, which are often responsible for high blood sugar, with tiger nuts and still get the required amount of sucrose without further harming their health.
8. They are a Rich Source of Vitamins C and E
Vitamin E is essential for protecting the body’s cells against radical damages and diseases such as cancer. As such, the vitamin helps to maintain the healthy and shiny skin that makes you beautiful. Likewise, vitamin C helps to fight off diseases by boosting your immune system. All these are among the health benefits of tiger nuts you can enjoy by adding them on your diet.
9. They Make Nutritious Tiger-nut Milk
Apart from all the above benefits of consuming tiger nuts, tiger nut milk stands out as a creamy alternative for people with lactose intolerance, therefore, effectively replacing cow milk. Good news is, you can easily prepare your own tiger nut milk from the comfort of your kitchen. Here is a step by step guide on how to do it.
How to Make Tiger Nut Milk
Ingredients
A cup of tiger nuts
one glass of water
Cinnamon
A sweetener of your choice (preferably honey)
Procedure
i) Soak your tiger nuts in a jar of water and cover it with a piece of cloth for 24-48 hours to make them soft.
ii) Wash and place the soft tiger nuts in a blender
iii) Add the other ingredients including your sweetener and blend until you have a thick and smooth mixture.
iv) Sieve or strain into a glass to separate the milk from the mixture.
v) That’s it; your tiger milk is ready for sipping.
All in all, this is just a tip of the iceberg when it comes to the health benefits of tiger nuts; talk about the complete package under one umbrella. There is no doubt; tiger nuts sure are a powerhouse when it comes to keeping you healthy and fit.
