Tiger nuts, also called chufa, yellow nutsedge or earth almonds, are not nuts, rather they are edible tubers. They’re the size of a chickpea but wrinkly with a chewy texture and sweet nutty flavour like that of coconut.
Tiger nuts can be eaten either raw or cooked. Common tiger nut food products include tiger nut flour, which is used for baking, and dried raw tiger nuts, which can be consumed as a crunchy snack. Tiger nuts are a good source of different nutrients and have been linked with varieties of health benefits.
Some of the health benefits of tigers but include.
1. Constipation
Tiger nuts are a rich source of fibre, this nutrient is contained in tigers but has been proved to help enhance digestion by increasing the frequency of stools and ward off constipation.
2. Breast-milk production
Regular intake of tiger nuts helps in boosting milk production in the body. Consuming tiger nuts by nursing mothers can help enhance breast milk production which can help in feeding their babies.
3. Heart health
Tiger nuts are packed with healthy fats, which are associated with low “bad” LDL cholesterol and high “good” LDL cholesterol.
4. Reduced blood sugar level
Tiger nuts help in keeping your blood sugar levels in check. Studies show that tiger nut extract help lessen your blood sugar levels. This is a result of the high fibre content of tiger nuts which may slow down the absorption of sugar in the gut.
5. Get rid of harmful free radicals
Tiger nuts are a good source of antioxidants needed to get rid of the harmful free radicals in the body. These free radicals are capable of triggering oxidative damage to the body which can lead to several diseases.