Why Tiger Nuts are SO good for you
Tigernuts are scrumptious little bundles of wholefood joy, and can be used whole, chopped, as flour or even made into a lovely, refreshing milky drink commonly enjoyed in Spain and around the Mediterranean.
Although they’re commonly called nuts, tigernuts are actually tiny, tuberous roots from an African plant of the sedge family, and they have many of the same nutrients and benefits of nuts without causing the allergic symptoms that nuts can cause in some people.
So what are the health benefits of tigernuts? Let’s have a look at some of the main ones:
They're high in resistant starch fibre
Resistant starch is a prebiotic fibre which feeds the friendly bacteria in your gut and helps to keep your digestive system running smoothly. This accounts for around one third of every tiger nut by weight. Prebiotics act as food for your body’s natural organisms, and help your gut’s natural probiotics thrive.
They're excellent for weight loss
The dietician Gina Consalvo says that the resistant starch in tigernuts passes right through the stomach and small intestine without being digested, and despite tigernuts’ calorie count, this may even help you lose weight by reducing blood sugar spikes and keeping you fuller longer than other foods with a similar number of calories.
Tiger nuts are incredible little bundles of nutrients, chief among which are minerals. This clinical investigation involved a mineral analysis that showed they contained (in descending order by weight) potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, sodium, iron, zinc and copper.
Tigernuts can slow down the ageing process
Tigernuts contain antioxidant vitamins like vitamin E as well as polyphenolic compounds which help prevent problems like premature ageing, blemishes, wrinkles and age spots.
A Chinese study found that tiger nut oil has very good antioxidant properties.
A powerful boost for the immune system
The Vitamin C and E in tigernuts helps to support your body’s immune response, and in a 2009 study, researchers evaluated tigernuts for their antibacterial activity against several human pathogens, including E.coli, staphylococcus and salmonella, and discovered they were very effective, even when the bacteria had developed resistance to antibiotics.
Tigernuts are great for digestion
The fibre and magnesium found in high levels in tigernuts contribute to a fabulous digestive system. They also promote a healthy response to bloating and digestive distress which is brought on by inflammation some people experience as a result of consuming dairy foods.
Tigernuts contain digestive enzymes like catalase, lipase and amylase, which can help alleviate indigestion, bloating and gas.
Have a look at our great range of tigernuts here.