Top 7 Benefits of Water Chestnut: A Healthy Ingredient
” Every Human being is the author of his own health or disease”
Buddha
Health is a gift we are all blessed with. You should consciously find out ways to improve it. Being healthy is not only a desire but is an essential requirement. To further emphasize, it can be said that health is the one and only unseen wealth that is more precious than anything else in this world. To make yourself fit and healthy, you rely basically on two things: Exercise and Food. Both of them complement each other. So, today I am going to discuss one such ingredient that you can include in your breakfast routine as a health booster.
Know More about this Ingredient!
It’s none other than Water Chestnut or Singhara(often called in Hindi). They are grown mostly in the China, Indian and Pacific islands including some presence in places such as Taiwan, Africa, and Australia. They can be used in a variety of ways in our food. You can have it raw or an ingredient in the main course dishes or salads as well. Water chestnut is an aquatic plant with floating leaves and edible tubers. Subsequently, after these tubes turn dark brown and fully grown, they are harvested for further use.
Benefits of Water Chestnut As a Healthy Substitute
The benefits of Water Chestnut as Health food are numerous. You are lucky to have this fruit which is full of nutritional properties and can be consumed in whichever form we like. Moreover, this can be used as a Healthy substitute in a variety of foods that we eat. Henceforth, you must have in-depth knowledge about what is its constituents and how to use this.
Nutritional Value Of Water Chestnut per 100 gms or 1 cup
When you add 1 cup of this ingredient to your diet it will count for around 98 calories with 24 gms of carbs, 4 gm of protein, 4 gm of fiber, 17% potassium, 17% manganese, 16% copper, 16% vitaminB6, 12% Riboflavin. The Nutritional information has been taken from a trusted source* for health-related topics, healthline.com.
Top 7 Benefits of Water chestnut
1.Possess Antioxidant properties
Most beneficial for its antioxidant properties. It has flavonoids such as luteolin, quercetin, and kaempferol. According to the Clinical trials done, the extracts of this fruit and its peel were found to protect the human body against free radicals. the presence of specific Flavonoid antioxidant epicatechins helps the body from linoleic acid oxidation. Likewise, it prevents the growth of Tumors and inflammation in your body. Apart from that, it also helps to prevent one of the most deadly diseases such as cancer. Specific research from China and Europe suggests its active role in promoting anticancer activities in lung, colon, and female breasts. You can also refer to one more superfood which is rich in antioxidant properties and can be used for similar purposes.
2. Exhibits Antimicrobial properties
Water Chestnut extracts can effectively suppress the growth of E. Coli and Staphylococcus bacteria. Water chestnut is also effective against infections from worms and insects. The antimicrobial property of Water chestnuts can match the standards of some proven antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial infection. Not only that, but this plant also has the ability to purify the water bodies in which it is grown.
3. Helps in Detoxification of the Body
It helps to release harmful toxins from the body. As a result, this fruit can be widely used in the cure of diseases like Jaundice. You can have it raw or drink the juice if your body needs to release the toxins stored due to improper functioning.
4. Regulates Blood Pressure level
Water Chestnut has a high mineral content in the form of potassium, zinc, manganese, and more. When used in the form of flour they retain the antioxidant properties to help you maintain your normal blood pressure level. Likewise, its high potassium content helps in the relaxation of heart muscles and prevents the body from attack or sudden stroke.
5. Promotes Weight loss Due to Low-Calorie Content
Water chestnuts are very high in water content which helps you to not feel hungry for a longer time. The calorie content in this fruit is minimal. So, if you swap your other high-calorie diet with this food it will help to keep full for a longer time. Add this to your regular diet if available to keep yourself hydrated all the time in a day.
6. Reduces Inflammation and Promotes Wound- Healing
When used in flour form which is very common in Asian countries, it helps in faster healing of wounds. You have to apply it on your wounds in the form of a thick paste and see the effects. Also, you can use this to prevent inflammation caused due to bacterial infection or heals any other blood impurities if present.
7. May help to promote Pregnancy
This is considered as a unique advantage we may get in some cases. Women can have it in flour form to reduce the risk of miscarriage. Apart from that, when you consume it while you are pregnant, your blood pressure will be regulated with enhanced fetal growth. Also, it helps to improve mammary gland secretions in women after pregnancy when consumed regularly in that period.
Now when you know How beneficial it is to consume this super nutritious food regularly, you must be thinking about the best ways in which you can use them. Don’t worry! I am going to let you know about that as well.
How to Use Water Chestnuts for Regular Consumption
The easiest form in which you can use water chestnuts is its raw form. When well washed and peeled off properly, you can easily have it and feel the juice as you start to chew it slowly in your mouth. But you can try it in other ways also to enjoy it with a different taste. You can mix them with other veggies and steam or cook them as veggies stir fry. But do you know something distinguishable about Water chestnuts?
I will tell you. No matter how much you cook or steam them, they will retain their crunchy taste in any form. So, try it in salads, or vegetable curries to make it tastier and frequently consumable. The fibrous nature of a water chestnut will improve your digestion in any form you eat them. So, don’t miss the chance to have it, once you know how useful it can be for proper body functioning and enhanced metabolism.
Ways to Store Water Chestnut
- Always store them unpeeled in paper bags so that they do not absorb any moisture content in them. They can be kept for a week or two in the refrigerator in this way.
- You can also freeze them for a couple of months at 0° Celsius in airtight containers and enjoy the benefits of Water chestnut for a longer time.
- They can also be boiled, peeled, and then stored in suitable airtight containers sealable bags. They can last in good condition for months in this way.
- You can also have canned water chestnuts stored and preserved in brine water solution if you are uncomfortable to store them in any of the above-mentioned ways.
Note: Stop consumption of stored or canned fruits immediately if there is a bad smell or fungal accumulation over canned bottles. Always buy them from a good source or a well-known brand so that they can be stored for use for a longer time and consumed hassle-free.
Conclusion
In Conclusion, I would emphasize the regular consumption of Water Chestnut once again. Health is an asset and being healthy is a necessity. Water Chestnut is a food that can help us keep healthy in the long run. So, whenever you see them anywhere in the market place or in a freshly harvested form then go and grab immediately. When you consume it on a regular basis, you will feel the change for sure.
Please share your views if you already experienced a change after eating Water chestnuts. But, if not till now, go ahead, shop it, and have it!