Tigernut is one of the most nutritious and affordable nuts in the universe with amazing health benefits that have been overlooked over the years.
This nut is known by different names in various parts of the world. While Yoruba call it ofio, Hausa call it aya, and the same nut is called chufas in Spanish language.
The high fibre nut comes with various surprising health benefits.
In Nigeria this nut is commonly sold by traders from the north, who sell it dried or fresh across the country.
- Reduces risk of cancer and heart diseases
Ofio is a source of Vitamin E that protects us from the creation of harmful free radicals responsible for the death of the body cells. Combined with a high content of oleic acid the nut reduces attack of heart diseases.
- Helps to control diabetes
High non-soluble fibre contents of the tigernut help the diabetics to regulate their sugar levels in the blood. Recent studies have demonstrated that the fibre doesn’t elevate the sugar levels in the blood as the carbohydrates.
- Helps to control blood pressure
Its high content of amino acid arginine helps the body make nitric oxide which maintains that blood vessels are dilated to have a normal blood flow.
- Offers same benefits for the heart as the olive oil
Cardiologists recommend eating non-saturated fats or vegetable fats. Tigernut has a lipid profile very similar to the olive oil, which is considered as one of healthiest oils.
- Gives your body more potassium than banana
Do you know that eating 25 tigernut daily gives the body 139 mg of potassium? I’m sure you don’t. You’re welcome!
Potassium from tigernut is almost at the same level with the one gotten from potato or avocado, just as it exceeds that of banana.
This mineral helps the cells and organs to work correctly. It also regulates the muscle contractions, which helps digestion.
