TIGERNUT MILK, THE HEALTHIEST SOFT DRINK
Typical drink of the Spanish east, the
tiger nut was known till now for its great fresh power in the summer
months. But its properties go much further than that. An elaborated
studio in the Politecnico de Valencia University reveals a lot of
goodnesses for the health, emphasizing the reduction of “bad”
cholesterol. So now, you already know, this summer have a glass
of tiger nut milk.
The study -managed for the Doctor Enrique Hernandez,
professor of Microbiology from this Valencia University- emphasizes
the curative and antioxidant properties of the tiger nut milk, which
its high content in vitamin E diminishes the cholesterol LDL, harmful
for the health. The secret of its healthy success is in the high
percentage of oleic acid which has “rather more than the olive
oil”. But there is even more, according to this studio, for
its nutritional values, even higher than the chocolate, is ideal
for children, old and sporty people. Also for the presence of sucrose,
it is specially recommendable for diabetics.
The tiger nut milk is a drink produced from the tiger nut (Cyperus
Sculentus), a dry and brown fruit, with creases in the surface which
is cultivated during 7 or 8 months (it is sowed in April and picked
in November). Its origin is Egypt, and its cultivation was introduced
in our country by the Arabic people, specially in the East coast,
as a product of delicate smell and taste, and as a base of the drink
obtained from its maceration. Nowadays, the only area of Europe
where it is grown is L’Horta Nord in Valencia (just in 16
towns), where the lands have an ideal weather and ground conditions
for that singular tuber. Tiger nuts, sugar, water and a bit of cinnamon
or lemon peel are the basic ingredients of this fresh drink which
wonderful power.
The nutrient more abundant in its composition are
the carbon hydrates, are also found proteins, vitamins E and C,
minerals like magnesium, iron ore and calcium, and in small amounts
fats, mainly no saturated. The tiger nut milk also contains enzymes,
substances which make the digestion easier, and hasn’t got
cholesterol. It is showed as one of the healthiest options to refresh
oneself in summer.
A FONT OF HEALTH
| Kcal |
69,75 |
Protein (g) |
0,60 |
| Fat (g) |
2,40 |
Carbon Hydrates (g) |
12,20 |
| Calcium (mg) |
11,30 |
Iron ore (mg) |
0,46 |
| Cholesterol (mg) |
0,0 |
Table of nutritive composition of the tiger nut
milk (each 100 ml)
By Fernando Belda
Magazine Esporta Health and Fitness |
