Earth almonds are also names for the same edible tuber known as a tiger nut in some parts of the world. They’re the size of chickpeas and have a chewy feel comparable to that of coconut.
Traditional Egyptian medicine and food relied on tiger nuts, which were one of the first plants to be domesticated.
Health benefits include improved digestion, a reduced risk of heart disease, as well as lower blood pressure and a lower risk of colon cancer.
Tiger nuts have been shown to have a number of new health benefits.
1. nutrient dense
According to Healthline, A wide range of nutrients and plant compounds can be found in tiger nuts.
Depending on the type, they have different nutrient levels. Tiger nuts come in three varieties:
Black, brown, and yellow.
Additionally, the antioxidants found in tiger nuts help your body fight off diseases like cancer and heart disease by slowing down the signs of aging and oxidative stress.
Tiger nuts’ antioxidant content can be increased by germinating them beforehand.
Tiger nuts contain antinutrients such as oxalate, saponin, and tannins, which can reduce the absorption of nutrients in the gut. These substances are found in high concentrations in these nuts.
Prior to ingesting the tubers, germinating or roasting them reduces their antinutrient levels, making it easier for your body to absorb and utilize the various nutrients they contain. It’s possible that this will help with digestion.
2. Help with digestion.
When it comes to fiber content, they’re particularly abundant in insoluble fiber, which goes through the intestines metabolized. Bulking your stools with insoluble fiber reduces the risk of constipation.
Tiger nuts are also said to contain resistant starch, a form of fiber that feeds the good bacteria in your intestines, making digestion more efficient.
Tiger nuts may also have digestive enzymes, like catalase, lipases, and amyloses, that help people digest their food and ease symptoms like bloating, flatulence, and diarrhea, which can be caused by eating too much food.
Remember that tiger nuts’ high fiber content can produce gas or bloating at first, but this should subside quickly. Those who want to give them a try should start with small amounts and work their way up.
3. It has the potential to lower blood sugar levels.
Tiger nuts have been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels.
According to research, tiger nut extract may help lower blood sugar levels in animals. The high fiber content of the tubers may slow the absorption of sugar in the intestine.
Protein in tiger nuts has significant levels of the amino acid arginine, which has been linked to increased insulin production and sensitivity, two aspects of blood sugar regulation.
However, the amount of arginine used in the human study (9 grams) is much more than the 1 gram of protein found in a single serving of tiger nuts.
It has also been shown to stop the activity of enzymes that break down carbohydrates in the intestines.
Some blood-sugar-lowering diabetes drugs may have an effect on your digestive system as a result of this. However, more studies need to be done on humans to see if this helps lower blood sugar levels.
4. It may improve heart health.
Additionally, tiger nuts may be beneficial to your heart health.
Why? Because they have a similar fat profile to that of heart-healthy olive oil, which has a high concentration of monounsaturated fats.
Lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and higher HDL (good) cholesterol levels have been related to a diet high in monounsaturated fats. Reduced risks of heart attack, stroke, and mortality due to heart disease are also linked to them.
Tiger nuts have also been linked to a lower risk of heart disease because they improve blood flow and reduce the risk of blood clots.
5. may strengthen your immune system and aid in the fight against infections
It’s possible that tiger nuts can help you have a better immune system.
In a laboratory investigation, tiger nut extracts were evaluated against a variety of human pathogens. E. coli, Staphylococcus, and Salmonella bacteria were all killed by the extract.
Similar findings were made in a second examination of cells. According to the research, tiger nut extracts may be useful in combating antibiotic-resistant bacteriel infection.
