Slowly but steady, tiger nuts are becoming known for their properties and health benefits and not only for being the main ingredient from which Valencian horchata is made. These benefits were already known by the ancient Egyptian, Persian and Chinese empires, which already used the tiger nut for their medical value for healing purposes.Tiger nuts are also known as chufa nuts or earth almonds. They are small root vegetables (also called tubers). The presence of stripes on their exteriors gives them the name tiger nuts. If you are considering drinking this nuts juice regularly, here are things you should know about it.
(a) Tiger nuts have shown to improve heart health due to their healthy fat content. They contain 64% oleic acid; which contains high amounts of omega-9 fatty acids. These Omega-9 fatty acids are shown to raise levels of “good” HDL cholesterol and lower levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol. Tiger nuts may also lower your risk of heart disease and having a heart attack by improving your blood circulation.
(b) Tigernut is an aphrodisiac, very good for the libido in both male and female. It is rich in arginine which is also good for sexual health, arterial and heart health.
(c) The presence of magnesium in tiger nuts help in the fight against tooth decay and osteoporosis, prevention of menstrual problems and maintenance of a stable body pH.
Are there any downsides to tiger nuts?
According to Cleveland clinic, people with digestive issues such as IBS or sensitivities to high-fiber foods might experience some gas, bloating, cramping, or diarrhea if you eat too many tiger nuts. Raw tiger nuts are also higher in anti-nutrients like phytates, oxalates, saponins, and tannins that may reduce the amount of vitamins and minerals your gut can absorb. You can soak them, boil them, or toast them to increase their nutritional value if you’d like. Other than that, there aren’t many drawbacks.