By AgroNigeria
Locally called ofio, tiger nuts are edible tubers popular among the average Nigerian as a packaged roadside product purchased either dried and crispy, or wet and soft.These nuts are marble-sized wrinkled orbs that grow very close to the surface of the soil. Also called yellow nutsedge, chufa nuts or earth almonds, they belong to the small root vegetable (or tubers) family.
They are so-called “tiger nuts” because of the stripes on it external coating. Tiger nuts are natural nuts that can either be chewed or drank as milk after processing.
While these nuts maybe commonplace, there are many amazing health benefits you probably have not heard of.
In this article, we unwrap some amazing health benefits of this edible tuber.
• Helps Maintain Healthy Digestive System
Tiger nuts contain a lot of fibre which are quite helpful in keeping the digestive system healthy as well as in preventing constipation.
They are also beneficial to the gut because they act as prebiotic, in other words, they stimulate the growth of good bacterial in the digestive tract.
• Prevents Diabetes and Keeps the Body in Shape
Tiger nuts provide healthy and balanced dietary fibers that do not inflate the level of sugar level in the blood. This makes them an excellent diet for preventing diabetes.
Also, studies have shown that the nuts are rich in resistant starch fibres that pass through the stomach and small intestine without being digested.
This means that they can aid weight loss by reducing blood sugar spikes and help the body to remain full for a longer period of time than other foods with the same number of calories.
It is also important to add that those suffering from high sugar levels in the blood need insoluble fibre which is found abundantly in tiger nut milk.
• Source of Magnesium
Magnesium are necessary to adhere calcium to the bones to fight osteoporosis – a medical condition in which the bones become brittle and fragile from loss of tissue, typically as a result of hormonal changes or deficiency of calcium or vitamin D.
Magnesium also helps in the prevention of tooth decay.
In addition, the nutrient helps the body to maintain a stable acid-base balance (pH), develop the muscles, prevent menstrual complications (in women), and keeps the kidney healthy.
• Excellent Source of Plant Protein
Tiger nuts has some concentration of plant protein which is an important nutrient in building and repairing body issues.
Diets high in plant protein are linked with many health benefits such as lowering the incidence of fat and cholesterol, body weight, and blood pressure levels
It also helps to normalize bowel movements due to its healthy amount of fiber, reduces the risk of stroke, cancer and health diseases.
• Packed with Potassium
Tiger nut also contains potassium which helps the body to process carbohydrates, controls blood pressure, ensures proper functioning of the body cells and keeps vital organs of the body healthy.
• Contains Amino Acids
Amino acid, arginine, is also found in tiger nuts. This nutrient is beneficial to people suffering from high blood pressure.
• Produces Antioxidant Vitamin E
The presence of Vitamin E, a good antioxidant that helps protect the body from damages caused by free radicals, is another reason tiger nut is a recommended dietary item.
• Boosts the Immune System and Helps to Fight Infections
•Tiger nut is an excellent substitute for cow milk.
Studies have shown that people who are lactose-intolerant can consider tiger nut milk as alternative dietary item because tiger nuts do not contain lactose and are rather rich in calcium.
Above are some of the health benefit of tiger nuts to help you understand the nutritional power it holds. When next you find them in the market, just know you are purchasing treasure.
