Health Benefits of Sampalok
Rose May Pimentel in Health
Jan 21, 2022 • 3 min Read
Known for its sweet, sour, and tangy taste — Sampalok or tamarind in English is an excellent source of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Sampalok has played a key role in traditional medicine.
Sampalok is being used in sauces, marinades, chutneys, drinks, and desserts. In the Philippines, it’s candied and served as a sweet or it’s more commonly juiced used to flavor sinigang.
Here are some of the amazing benefits of sampalok:
1. May Protect Heart Health
A study has shown that sampalok may help in lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol. The fiber content in the sour fruit can help in scraping excess LDL cholesterol from the veins and arteries. Another research found that the fruit pulp may exert its hypocholesterolemic effect by increasing cholesterol outflow, enhancing LDL cholesterol clearance, suppressing triglyceride accumulation, and inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis. It can also project light on the potential antioxidative effects of sampalok which can protect against high cholesterol.
2. May Improve Digestion
Sampalok has long been considered a natural laxative, given its dietary fiber content. Eating it as a fruit or as a spice can increase the efficiency of your digestive system. The insoluble fiber bulks up your stool to move it through the smooth muscles of the intestinal tract. It can also act as a bilious substance for it can stimulate the activity of bile and bile acids that aid in the absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins in the small intestine. This ensures that food runs through your digestive tract smoothly possibly making it a powerful laxative if you’re suffering from chronic constipation. Sampalok also contain soluble fibers which have the opposite effect of insoluble fiber that assist in reducing loose stools.
3. May Aid in Weight Loss
One of the unique compounds called trypsin inhibitors, found in sampalok, may help in reducing your hunger. This protein has been known to suppress appetite. The extracts of this fruit might show promising signs as a weight-loss supplement.
4. May Help Manage Diabetes
A carbohydrate-heavy diet can increase the chances of uncontrolled glucose and insulin levels, which is a significant concern for those suffering from diabetes. Sampalok can inhibit the enzyme alpha-amylase, which mainly stops carbohydrates from being absorbed in the body. The high content of magnesium in sampalok may help to prevent or alleviate diabetes.
5. May Have Potentially Anti-inflammatory Capacity
A study denotes that lupeol content of sampalok is an inflammatory compound. This essential oil is connected to several anti-inflammatory capabilities, including the reduction of joint pain and inflammation, arthritis, rheumatic conditions, and gout. It may also reduce eye irritation, one of the most common forms is conjunctivitis, known as pink eye.
6. May Boost Immunity
One study shows the potent antioxidant properties of sampalok. Antioxidants can make sampalok a wonderful way to boost your immunity, which can help stave off microbial and fungal infections. It may also reduce the occurrence of parasites in the body due to its antiseptic and antimicrobial effects. It can be specifically linked to eliminating stomach worms in children in tropical areas where it is cultivated.
Wait no more and start including this wonderful fruit in your daily diet and enjoy its benefits!
Stay healthy and safe!
