Tigernut (also called Cyperus esculentus) is a crop of the sedge family, widespread across the world. It can be found wildly as a seed or as a crop. However, in most countries, it is considered as a weed. Tigernut is known as 'İmúmú ' in the Southwestern part of Nigeria, and known as 'Aya in the northern part of the country.

Tigernut is used in making Kunnu (a non-alcoholic beverage), common to the people in northern part of Nigeria. Because of its high nutritional content, it is now used as a substitute for the normal millet and sorghum which are neither poor nor have low nutritional value.

Tigernut is a crop with a high energy content (starch, fats, sugars and proteins), rich in minerals such as phosphorus, potassium, vitamins C and E. Phosphorus, together with Calcium, constitutes the bulk of the mineral substance of the bones and teeth. It plays a great part in the formation of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), an energy compound indispensable for activating glucose, fatty acids, etc.

Vitamin C, also known as Ascorbic acid, has diverse functions in the body. Its major functions include antioxidant, encourages the absorption of iron, helps maintain vitamin E level, indispensable for immunological system and for preserving the tissues. On the other hand, Vitamin E plays a role in the formation and function of the red blood cells, muscles and other tissues, also thought to have a preventive effect against cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

Benefits of tigernuts you should know:
1. Because of their high fiber content, tigernuts help to prevent constipation and act as an appetite suppressant, which helps to control our body weight.
2. Tigernut has a lipid profile which is very similar to the olive oil and is considered as one of the healthiest of oils.
3. With only 100g of tigernuts, the body gets up to 17% of the daily recommended dose of magnesium. Magnesium stays active in the body and participates in more than 300 biochemical reactions.
4. The high content of Amino acid, Arginine present in tigernuts help the body to make nitric oxide that maintains the dilation of our blood vessels and thereby have a normal blood flow.
5. Because it is a source of vitamin E, tigernut protects against free radicals which are responsible for the death of body cells. And if this combines with a high content of Oleic acid, it can reduce the risk of heart disease.
6. Tigernuts help to control diabetes. Recently, studies have shown that the fiber content of tigernut doesn't elevate the sugar levels in the blood as the carbohydrates.
7. Tigernut is also a source of oil, and its oil can be used in the cosmetics industry. As it is antioxide (because of its high content of vitamin E), it helps to slow down ageing of the body cells. It favours the elasticity of the skin and reduces skin wrinkles.
8. Milk can also be extracted from tigernuts, and it is called tigernuts milk. Tigernuts milk is very healthy, without lactose and rich in calcium, vitamin C and E.
9. Tigernuts help to prevent heart attacks, thrombosis and activate blood circulation. Due to the high contents of soluble glucose, they prevent cancer. Lately, it has been discovered that they reduce the risk of suffering colon cancer.

Written by: Omoyeni Oluwasegunfunmi José for Hub201.com

Source: http://www.hub201.com/benefits-of-tigernuts/

Nice piece.

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