Tiger nuts are also called nutsedge, tiger nutsedge or earth almond. For over 4000 years, the little delights have been doing their fair share of keeping the body in check.
Although they are called nuts, they are not actually nuts but tubers which grow just under the surface of the soil.
For many, tiger nuts are just one more category of nuts you pass by and not give a second thought to, but with the recent craze about eating healthy and exploring every healthy option, you might want to give a thought to tiger nuts.
In many parts of Africa, tiger nuts along with certain other nuts are used to make a drink that is mostly used as an aphrodisiac to induce pleasure amongst married couples. Here are some other awesome things you get when you eat tiger nuts.
1. Tiger Nut Milk Can Replace Cow Milk
For so many people who are lactose intolerant, the joy of taking cow milk is cut short when you remember what will happen afterwards. But the good news is, the milk gotten from tiger nuts is as natural as they come and can replace real/cow milk without any of the side effects. This is mostly because it does not contain lactose, rather, it contains plenty of calcium.
2. Tiger Nuts Are Very High In Fibre
With the craze about eating healthy and losing weight at it’speak, you might want to try tiger nuts for your weight loss journey. Tiger nuts contain a lot of fibre which is quite helpful in keeping the digestive system stimulated for evacuation whenever it is needed. This, in turn, helps with problems of constipation.
It also aids weight loss especially since the fibre found in tiger nuts is superior to those in other weight loss recommended foods such as whole grains. Moreso, fibre enhances satiation which makes a person eat less than they ordinarily would.
3. It Is Rich In Magnesium
magnesium is highly vital for the normal functioning of the body, as it is required to carry out more than 300 biochemical reactions in the human body. It also helps with muscle and nerve function and the proper functioning of the immune system. Magnesium also helps to regulate the heartbeat and maintain a healthy blood pressure levels.
The magnesium tiger nuts provide enables calcium to fight osteoporosis and tooth decay, it also helps with the daily dose of energy in the body and works with protein in the body to build and develop muscles.
Moreover, Magnesium helps care for the kidney, caters to menstrual cramps in women and aids PH balance to avoid infections.
4. It Helps Control Blood Pressure
Another wonderful health benefit of tiger nuts is that the nuts are high in amino acids, especially one called arginine, which has been shown to be beneficial to those suffering from high blood pressure. Arginine keeps the blood vessels wide enough to allow the normal flow of blood.
5. Tiger Nuts Are Rich In Vitamins C and E
Tiger nuts provide vitamin e to the body which helps protect the body from damages and guards against radical diseases such as cancer, coronary diseases and initial signs of the ageing process.
6. It Aids Digestion
Tiger nuts help to deal with issues that concern the digestive system. They alleviate issues like stomach cramps, irritable bowels, and other stomach issues. They are also used in traditional medicine for curing diarrhoea and flatulence. Moreover, they are also quite helpful in treating dysentery and indigestion.
7. It Makes The Skin Glow
The high content of Vitamin E in tiger nuts is just what you need for a healthy glowing skin. Vitamin E prevents wrinkles and premature aging, it keeps the skin glowing and forever young.
8. It Prevents Cancer
Vitamin E also contains unique antioxidant properties which protect the body from free radicals which are the molecules with an unshared electron. Unshared electron interacts with oxygen to create reactive oxygen species which is damaging to the body.
Vitamin E also protects the body by stopping the development of reactive oxygen species. Research has proven that vitamin E has colorectal cancer prevention properties
9. It Helps Control Diabetes
The high non-soluble fibre contents of Tigernuts helps diabetic patients to regulate the sugar levels in their blood. Recent studies have demonstrated that fiber doesn’t elevate the sugar levels in the blood as the carbohydrates do.
10. It Works as a Prebiotic
While tiger nuts help fight bad bacteria in your body, they also assist your digestive tract by acting as a resistant starch prebiotic. Prebiotics function by serving as energy sources for the positive gut bacteria that keep your entire digestive system running smoothly.
Because a rapid shift in gut microflora can temporarily upset your stomach, it’s a good idea to introduce resistant starch prebiotics into your diet gradually. This can help you avoid any temporary gas or bloating you could experience otherwise. Eaten in good, healthy doses, tiger nuts have also been known to relieve flatulence and diarrhoea, so you shouldn’t be too worried about brief bloating.
How To Make Tiger Nut Milk
Now you know what Tiger nut is and the benefits it offers. Let’s take a look at how to make the amazing, delicious and healthy tiger nuts milk.
Ingredients
- One cup of tiger nuts (soaked for 24-48 hours)
- A glass of water
- Cinnamon
- Honey
Directions
- Soak the tiger nuts in a bowl of water and cover the bowl with a cloth.
- Let it hydrate for 1-2 days.
- Wash and put nuts in a blender.
- Add the spices and the sweetener of your choice to the blender.
- Blend the nuts well until the mixture becomes thick and smooth.
- Now sieve the tiger nut milk into a serving glass.
- Your tiger nut milk is ready to drink.
Bonus Tip
A step away from the Tigernut milk, Tigernuts along with some other nuts are equally used to make a drink which is used as an aphrodisiac in many countries of Africa. Tiger nuts act as an agent for arousal. Its effects as an erectile stimulant and aphrodisiac in men have recently gained renewed interest. This is a good way to get you all limbered up for sex. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- Tiger nuts
- Coconut
- Dates
- Ginger (Optional)
Directions
- Soak the tiger nuts overnight
- Wash and soak your dates to soften it
- Wash and slice your coconut to pieces (This aids blending)
- Wash the tiger nuts properly
- Remove the seed of the date
- Pour everything into the blender and blend with little water
- Sieve the paste
- Chill and drink.