#HealthBytes: Reasons why you should add kokum in your diet
What's the story
Kokum is a fruit that closely resembles a cherry, and it is a staple ingredient in various Indian cuisines.
Its dried form is used as a substitute for tamarind in gravies due to its sour taste.
Kokum juices and sherbets are also widely popular for their refreshing taste and cooling properties.
Read on to know why you should add kokum to your daily diet.
Indigestion
Here is why kokum is called grandma's cure to acidity
Kokum is an age-old remedy for reducing acidity and issues caused by indigestion.
Sipping on its water or juice gives immediate relief from digestion related problems such as constipation, hyper-acidity, flatulence, and indigestion.
Known as grandma's cure to acidity, itis also effective against diarrhea.
Kokum's anthelmintic properties help in removing parasitic worms like Ascaris from the stomach and help maintain a healthy gut.
Properties
Protects the body from gastric ulcers and sores
Kokum is used in Ayurveda to treat sores and stomach ulcers.
It is rich in the antioxidant compound called garcinol and it protects the gastric cells against damage caused by free radicals.
The kokum juice is used as a medicine against sores and wounds in rural India.
The rind of the fruit is also sometimes applied directly to the wound site for relief.
Weight loss
This Konkani specialty helps in weight loss and controls cholesterol
Kokum helps in regulating cholesterol levels and maintaining good heart health.
Its extracts are also an effective remedy for weight loss.
The fruit is low in calories and prevents the deposition of excess fat and also removes the LDL cholesterol from the body.
It also acts as an appetite suppressant and consuming kokum extracts every day aids in the intake of lesser calories.
Super coolant
Kokum is a super coolant and reduces body heat
Kokum is a super coolant and sipping on its sherbet during summers helps keep the body heat in check.
Consuming spicy foods in summer increases the heat quotient of the body and drinking kokum water helps in balancing that out.
The sherbet not only leaves us refreshed and energized in hot months, but it also prevents heat strokes and dehydration caused by the summer sun.