Despite of what they are called, tiger nuts are not nuts. Rather, they are small root vegetables that look like nuts. In fact, they are also sometimes referred to as “earth almonds” because they look like almonds dug up from the ground.
Actually, tiger nuts have been around for millions of years now. These days, it is grown in many regions of the planet where the climate is mild. However, they are mainly cultivated in Africa and Spain, too, where they’re usually used as some of the ingredients for the production of a sweet-tasting beverage called “horchata”.
Despite of this, tiger nuts are not really that popular. The truth is they deserve way more attention than they are currently getting due to the fact that they offer so many health benefits, such as:
Lowered Constipation Risk
Nutrition experts say that tiger nuts pack more dietary fiber than the likes of rice bran and oats. This only means that it’s so much easier to keep constipation at bay by including tiger nut in your diet. Tiger nut is available in flour form, which enables it to be welcomed into your life in so many ways.
Reduced Risk of Heart Attack
Fiber present in tiger nuts also helps keep the arteries clean, which can be easily clogged by bad cholesterol. With the help of fiber-rich tiger nuts, it can be so much easier to dodge a heart attack which can strike when an artery supplying the heart muscles with oxygenated blood become congested with plaque and bad cholesterol.
Normalized Blood Pressure
It’s also important to keep the blood pressure within the normal range to prevent a heart attack from striking. One of the many nutrients found in tiger nuts is potassium, a well-known reducer of high blood pressure. Potassium works by causing the blood vessels to relax and dilate, enabling blood to flow freely through them.
Lifted Mood
Did you know that magnesium is sometimes referred to as the “mood mineral” because it actually helps lift the mood? Since tiger nuts contain good amounts of magnesium, their consumption can help in warding off depression. By the way, experts say that magnesium is involved with over 700 bodily functions!
Increased Antioxidant Protection
Excess free radicals can wreak damage to the health in a variety of ways. In fact, they are linked to the development of so many serious problems, from heart disease to cancer. Fortunately, there are antioxidants that are capable of neutralizing excess free radicals, and you can obtain them from many super nutritious foods such as tiger nuts.
Strengthened Bones
One of the many, many nutrients present in tiger nuts is calcium. Everyone knows that the said mineral is vital for keeping the bones strong and healthy, thus lowering a person’s risk of osteoporosis. Potassium, phosphorus and magnesium found in tiger nuts also work hand in hand with calcium in strengthening the bones.
Prevented Iron-Deficiency Anemia
Another mineral that can be obtained from tiger nuts is iron. According to experts, a diet that’s rich in iron is important for warding off anemia. It’s for the fact that iron is necessitated by the body for the production of red blood cells or RBCs which are the ones that enable the blood to carry oxygen molecules to the various parts of your body.
Boosted Protein Supply
Vegans and non-vegans alike can benefit tremendously from the consumption of tiger nuts because they supply the body with protein. Other than for building and repairing muscles, protein is also warranted for so many things. Some of them include keeping the skin young-looking and in creating certain types of enzymes and hormones.
