Health Benefits of Tiger Nut (Aya)

Tiger nut (or Aya) is widely consumed in Nigeria especially in the Northern part of the country. Most people eat Aya (Tiger nut) as snacks (food eaten in between meals). Tiger nut though not actually a soft food has numerous health benefits some of which include:

CAN REMEDY CANCER: Tiger nut (aya) is yet another good source of vitamin E (tocopherol) which is a powerful fat soluble antioxidant. Antioxidants are known for their ability to mopping (clean) free radicals from the body. Free radicals are capable of inducing cancerous growth in the body through damage to the DNA.

free radicals are also associated with rapid aging, Parkinson disease etc.

Potassium: Tiger nut contains a significant amount of potassium which is an essential mineral element in the body. Each tiger nut contains about 5.56 mg of potassium. Potassium is very important for proper functioning of the muscles especially the cardiac muscles. It also important for functioning of nervous system and maintenance of body fluids.

Magnesium: Magnesium is another mineral element of high importance that can be supplied by tiger nut in a reasonable amount. Magnesium is involved in more 300 biochemical reactions in the body.

HELP CONTROL BLOOD PRESSURE : Tiger nut is also rich in amino acids with arginine being the highest. Studies have shown that arginine helps in conditions that results from or made worse by restricted blood vessels, such as chest pain, clogged arteries, heart failure or disease, erectile dysfunction, muscle cramps, artery diseases not affecting the heart or the brain (peripheral vascular disease) and headaches induced by swollen blood vessels.

HEALTHY HEART: Tiger nut contains significant amount of unsaturated fatty acids which are the good fats. Unlike the bad fats that comes from animal which are high in cholesterol or can be metabolized to cholesterol, the fats from tiger nut do not contain cholesterol and can't be metabolized to cholesterol. Cholesterol, though is essential for the proper functioning of the body in excess can result to a number of cardiovascular disease. A part from not containing cholesterol, the good fats can also help in reduction of cholesterol in the body. The extracted oil from tiger nuts contains only 18% saturated fat and 82% unsaturated fat.

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