Around Dussehra celebrations, a new entrant in the fruit market can be seen, popularly known as Singhara. Actually I was not aware of the English name for our very humble Mr. Singhara, thanks to google, finally I know that its called as 'WATER CHESTNUT'. The Singharas lying in the fruit basket made me search what benefits it offers to us. These days I have developed this habit of finding out the nutritions of everything I give to my family and to my child. After researching benefits,here comes Water Chestnut aka Singhara, though my girl doesn't even look at them.
Right from the childhood days I have eaten and relished the boiled version of it, was never a fan of raw Singhara. At times, my mom used to cook curry of the raw singharas which was yum, and why not since mom was cooking it. I for sure don't know how to prepare it.
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| The raw Singhara or Water Chestnut Image credit: google images |
There used to be a pond in-front of these caves where Singharas were cultivated. Have witnessed the people wading in the pond, and picking Singharas from these aquatic plants.The raw singharas are green(light or dark both can be) in colour, and sometimes Magenta. The outer covering of it is hard, which needs to be removed before eating the nut inside it. Singhara is mostly kind of triangular in shape.The local market had both versions available, the raw as well as boiled.
When boiled, these green/magenta beauties become black in colour. As far as the taste goes, the raw ones are crunchy to eat, while the boiled ones loose a bit of it.
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| Boiled Singhara Image credit: google images |
Singhara is very nutritional, fat free and low in calories. It is easily available with the roadside hawkers, and is cheap. During fasts, it can be consumed undoubtedly. Singhara is available only during the winter season in India, which lasts about 3-4 months, whereas the Singhara flour (Kuttu Atta) is available in the market all year round. Pudding (Halwa) can be made of this flour and can be eaten during fasting(navratras are never complete without the yummy singhara halwa at my mom's place).
So now, what are the benefits of our Mr. Singhara. Here we go:
1) Singhara is rich in Potassium and helps in lowering the blood pressure.
2) It is a rich source of Proteins, Carbohydrates, Vitamin B,C, Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Iodine, Zinc, and Fibers.
Attached is the Nutrition Chart for Water Chestnut
As visible from the chart, Singhara is high in calories and quite low in fats, hence can be eaten in moderate quantities without worrying about weight gain. People who are obese shouldn't eat it much due to its high carbohydrate content.
3) Diabetic patients can also have this fruit.
4) Singhara has antioxidants and vitamins which is good for skin, preventing wrinkles and skin dryness making skin healthy and glowing. It also provides nutritions such as potassium, zinc, and vitamins which remove the toxins harmful for the hairs, thus help in getting healthy hairs.
5) Eating Halwa (pudding prepared with ghee) of singhara atta helps in gaining weight, for who are thin and want to put on.
6) Singhara consumed either as juice, or as fruits helps in Jaundice.It has antioxidants which release the toxins from the body and helps in detoxing.
7) The presence of Iodine and Magnesium helps in proper functioning of Thyroid glands.
8) Water chestnut is rich in minerals, manganese and vitamins which helps in healing of the cracked heals.
9) For Eczema dried singhara mixed with lemon juice and applied daily on the effected area cures it.
10) Singhara is constipating, hence helpful in curing loose motions.
The benefits list is long. But what is the right amount of singhara to be eaten? Some pointers need to be taken care of before consuming this wonder fruit:
1) Singhara is heavy to digest. It should not be eaten in excess else bloating and stomach pain can be observed.
2) Around 10-20 gm of Singhara can be eaten on a daily basis(till the fruit is available in the market) , and if feel heavy to digest reduce the quantity.
3) If constipation is already a worry, then do not eat it. Its helpful in case of loose motions, but can increase the problem of constipation further if consumed.
4) Regular eating of Singhara can lead to increase in weight.
5) Do not drink water immediately after eating Singhara, wait for few minutes.
As said, "Ati Sarvatra varjayete", hence anything consumed in moderation is a boon, while extreme always harms, So Singhara or Water Chestnut when eaten moderately will benefit us. This cheap nutritious fruit is so in reach of everyone and easy to consume, grab its nutrition before it disappear from the sight.
[ Resources used: https://www.bimbima.com/ayurveda/health-benefits-of-singhara/1550/ ]
2) It is a rich source of Proteins, Carbohydrates, Vitamin B,C, Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Iodine, Zinc, and Fibers.
Attached is the Nutrition Chart for Water Chestnut
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| Image Credit : Google images |
3) Diabetic patients can also have this fruit.
4) Singhara has antioxidants and vitamins which is good for skin, preventing wrinkles and skin dryness making skin healthy and glowing. It also provides nutritions such as potassium, zinc, and vitamins which remove the toxins harmful for the hairs, thus help in getting healthy hairs.
5) Eating Halwa (pudding prepared with ghee) of singhara atta helps in gaining weight, for who are thin and want to put on.
6) Singhara consumed either as juice, or as fruits helps in Jaundice.It has antioxidants which release the toxins from the body and helps in detoxing.
7) The presence of Iodine and Magnesium helps in proper functioning of Thyroid glands.
8) Water chestnut is rich in minerals, manganese and vitamins which helps in healing of the cracked heals.
9) For Eczema dried singhara mixed with lemon juice and applied daily on the effected area cures it.
10) Singhara is constipating, hence helpful in curing loose motions.
The benefits list is long. But what is the right amount of singhara to be eaten? Some pointers need to be taken care of before consuming this wonder fruit:
1) Singhara is heavy to digest. It should not be eaten in excess else bloating and stomach pain can be observed.
2) Around 10-20 gm of Singhara can be eaten on a daily basis(till the fruit is available in the market) , and if feel heavy to digest reduce the quantity.
3) If constipation is already a worry, then do not eat it. Its helpful in case of loose motions, but can increase the problem of constipation further if consumed.
4) Regular eating of Singhara can lead to increase in weight.
5) Do not drink water immediately after eating Singhara, wait for few minutes.
As said, "Ati Sarvatra varjayete", hence anything consumed in moderation is a boon, while extreme always harms, So Singhara or Water Chestnut when eaten moderately will benefit us. This cheap nutritious fruit is so in reach of everyone and easy to consume, grab its nutrition before it disappear from the sight.
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| image credit: google images |
