Black velvet tamarind |
Icheku |
The fruit has a black velvety outer shell, which when cracked reveals an orange coloured sticky pulp which can be licked, as depicted in the picture below:
Cracked black velvet tamarind |
The icheku fruit gets softer and lickable when it is soaked in water and the water penetrates it. It is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It is particularly rich in the following:
COMPONENTS:
VITAMINS: Vitamin A, C, Folic Acid, Thiamine, Niacin, Riboflavin, Tartaric Acid etc.
MINERALS: Copper, Potassium, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium etc.
ANTIOXIDANTS: Beta carotene, Alpha carotene, Beta-Cryptoxanthin, Lutein, Tartaric Acid.
HEALTH BENEFITS:
(1) LOWERS CHOLESTEROL LEVEL: The pulp of the black velvet tamarind is rich in dietary fiber, like pectin, tanins, mucilage etc, these reduce bad cholesterol in the body.
(2) PREVENTS HYPERTENTION: Black velvet tamarind is known to be rich in potassium, this helps to control heart beat and blood pressure.
(3) BOOSTS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM: The velvet tamarind is rich in vitamins C and other antioxidants, and vitamin C helps to fight against microbial and fungal infections.
(4) PREVENTS CONSTIPATION: The black velvet tamarind, due to its richness in dietary fiber, helps prevent constipation. The fiber adds bulk and arguments bowel movement.
(5) HELPS CONTROLS DIABETES: The velvet tamarind can help treat diabetes, by reducing the blood sugar levels and intensifying insulin sensitivity
(6) HEALTHY FOR EYES: The pulp of the black velvet tamarind is rich in CAROTENOIDS, which are ANTIOXIDANTS, such as Beta-carotene, Alpha carotene, Beta-Cryptoxanthin and Lutein, this is basically because of its colour component, which falls into the category of orange coloured fruits. The beta and alpha carotene are converted to vitamin A, this helps to maintain a healthy mucous membrane and maintain healthy eyes, with regards to prevention of cataracts, good vision and age related macular degeneration. The Lutein content is equally good for eye health.
(7) PREVENTS CANCER: The black velvet tamarind is rich in antioxidant beta-cryptoxanthin, because it is orange coloured in nature. This, exhibits antioxidant qualities which has been linked to cancer prevention and reduced risk of developing inflammatory disorders such as Rheumatoid arthritis.
(8) MAINTAIN GOOD BODY METABOLISM: The black velvet tamarind as you know, is rich in vitamins including THIAMINE, VITAMIN A, FOLIC ACID, NIACIN, RIBOFLAVIN and of course VITAMIN C, But as much as all these act as antioxidants to fight free radicals, the vitamins also help the function for enzyme metabolism of human body. TARTARIC ACID is also another antioxidant found in black velvet tamarind, it helps protect the human body from harmful free radicals and it is also what gives it it's sour taste.
(9) ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PROPERTIES: The decoction of the stem bark of the black velvet tamarind is said to have analgesic properties; such that it can be used to reduce menstrual pain and also inflammation in the bronchial tubes that arises due to bronchitis. It has also been seen to be effective in reducing pain associated with pile.
(10) CURE FOR MALARIA: The leave extract according to various studies is said to inhibit the growth of plasmodium falciparum, which is known to be the root cause of malaria. Hence taking a decoction of the leaves can cure malaria.
WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT THE BLACK VELVET TAMARIND:
BLACK VELVET TAMARIND JUICE: For those who do not like licking this tasty tamarind, you can actually get it juiced, to look as depicted in the picture below:
Black tamarind juice |
Black tamarind juice |
----1 cup peeled black tamarind
----1 cup warm water
----1 tsp honey (optional)
METHOD
----- Soak peeled tamarind in warm water above for 10 mins
----- Stir properly with a spoon
----- Sieve, Add honey, chill and serve.
The Black Velvet Tamarind, a seasonal fruit is rich in various vitamins and minerals as well as antioxidants. The Black Velvet Tamarind, simple, common, neglected, but loaded with unimaginable health benefits; can actually perform oxidative processes in the human body, thereby exhibiting the properties of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial functions in the body for a better glowing health and a better lifestyle. For your eye health, cholesterol level reduction, constipation, diabetes and general body metabolism, avail yourself the benefits of fruits in season such as the black velvet tamarind for a better glowing health and lifestyle.
CAUTION: As always fruits and vegetables should be taken in moderation. Just the recommended quantity.
(a) Gastric ulcer patients should take black velvet tamarind with caution, because two much acid will add pain to the ulcer
(b) Also, too much dietary fiber intake might not be good for the digestive system, this is to avoid excessive laxation within the system.
A question was put to me on my facebook account by Dave Josh , if I can scientifically backup my claims on this post?
ReplyDeleteI will start by stating what science is. SCIENCE is said to be the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of physical and natural world through observation and experiment. NATURE on the other hand is the phenomenon of the physical world, collectively, including plants, animals, landscape etc. Food science equally embraces the methodology used in physical science. Science questions and investigates nature. Natura continues where physical science stops. Food science made us to understand the components of most foods, fruits and vegetables, such components such as vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Food science also gives us an indepth knowledge of fruits and vegetables, colours and components. This is only against the backdrop that we all know that all things are created by God, plants and animals alike, and God has embedded all that man needs in fruits and vegetables to live a healthy glowing life
Ever wondered why spinach is so green( ugu, waterleaf, okra, egg garden leaves etc) and blueberries are so blue? The reason is because of PHYTOCHEMICALS (this substances only occure in nature, in plants and they provide us with numerous health benefits. Scientists also believe that phytochemicals provide the color to various fruits and vegetables while also interacting with vitamins minerals and other health nutrients to provide the human body with several benefits. This is why coloured fruits and vegetables can provide heart healthy benefits and also reduce the risk of several lifestyle diseases.
A simple experiment of the claims made so far in the write ups in this blog with regards to fruits and vegetables and it's ability to keep at bay certain ailments and diseases is like thus:
Take a look at your stool after blood tabs or capsules, which are scientifically produced, then take a look at your stool after eating or consuming green leafy vegetables and fruits such as ugu(Telfairia occidentalis), garden eggs, avocado pears etc, The outlook is same, which means those fruits and vegetables are rich in folate, folic acid and any other claim thereof.