Singhara is known as water chestnut in English. It is a winter fruit grown underwater but singhara benefits can be enjoyed throughout the year as its by-products such as flour are available in all seasons. This flavourful crispy vegetable can be eaten raw or added to sweet dishes.
Water chestnut, also known as Chinese water chestnut is highly beneficial as it is used to treat urinary tract infections, cures indigestion and nausea, relieve cough, and also benefit the heart and skin.
Water chestnuts are versatile and can be eaten raw, boiled, fried, grilled, pickled, or candied. Singhara fruit, for example, is frequently peeled and diced, sliced, or grated into dishes such as stir-fries, omelets, chop suey, curries, and salads, among others.
Table of Content
Nutritional Value of Singhara:
Nutrients per serving (half-cup) are;
- Calories: 45
- Protein: 1 gram
- Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 10 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Sugar: 2 grams
Other important nutrients include;
- Vitamin B6
- Riboflavin
- Potassium
- Manganese
- Copper
What is the price of Singhara in Pakistan?
Water chestnut or singhara is very commonly available all over Pakistan. Its price ranges between 40-50 PKR/ 500 grams.
Health Benefits of Singhara or Water Chestnuts:
Water chestnuts or singhara contain several antioxidants that may lower your risk of a variety of chronic diseases and conditions. Singhara are high in antioxidants such as ferulic acid, gallocatechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, and catechin gallate. These antioxidants can assist the body in combating oxidative stress, which has been linked to a variety of chronic diseases. Other health benefits of eating singhara include:
Is Singhara good for the skin?
Water chestnut has an adequate amount of water. Consuming it ensures that there is no deficiency of water in the body and that the skin remains hydrated. Water chestnut consumption does not cause skin dryness.
You can also get rid of eczema by using water chestnut topically. Antioxidants found in water chestnuts are also helpful in treating the skin disease eczema. Eczema can be treated by combining lemon juice and water chestnut powder and applying it to the skin.
Water chestnuts also enhance hair beauty, as water chestnut contains adequate amounts of vitamin B, vitamin E, zinc, and other nutrients.
Consult a dermatologist before using any skincare product.
Does Singhara increase sperm count in males?
Singhara fruit benefits in males and females are attributed to the presence of various nutrients like iron, calcium, zinc, phosphorous, etc, making them a very healthy option for everyone.
Males get energy from this vegetable as it acts as an energy booster. Singhara increases fertility and reduces tiredness during intercourse in males.
Learn about the causes of infertility in males.
Singhara or chestnut is also known to increase sperm count and motility in males thus increasing fertility in men. It is known to increase sexual activity in men and impart essential properties to help treat impotence.
Is Singhara good for females?
Singhara’s benefits for females are many due to the presence of many minerals and vitamins that are beneficial for glowing and radiant skin in females. It is hence a common cosmetic ingredient found in many beauty products. They are helpful in making your skin glowing and hair healthy.
The anti-oxidant properties of singhara are suitable for the female reproductive system and provide energy to females. It provides several important vitamins to the body including Vitamin B6 and vitamin E that is important for maintaining a safe pregnancy. Singhara or water chestnut is also known to improve the fetus’s growth.
Increase fertility in females by these fruits.
Singhara powder for females is known for ages to reduce bleeding after miscarriage. It also promotes lactation in mammary glands to benefit females in breastfeeding.
Consult a gynecologist for further advice on the benefits of singhara in females.
Is Singhara safe during pregnancy?
Singhara helps in strengthening the stomach muscles that prevent acid reflux, nausea, and indigestion during pregnancy. The anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant properties of water chestnuts are helpful in pregnancy.
Many women face hypertension and high blood pressure issue during pregnancy. Singhara helps control blood pressure during pregnancy.
Its antioxidant properties prevent inflammation and infections in the body due to the action of free radicals. Moreover, it enhances the pregnancy glow by replenishing and removing different toxins from the body.
Consult a gynecologist for expert advice
Does Singhara increase blood sugar?
Chestnut contains fiber that helps you maintain a healthy blood sugar level as the fiber content is digested slowly in the GI tract. Eating high-fiber foods ensures that your body slowly absorbs starches. This helps to avoid blood sugar spikes, which can be dangerous for people with diabetes.
Furthermore, chestnuts contain a small amount of sugar in them and have a low glycemic index, GI, of 54 (foods with GI <55 are considered safe for diabetics) making them a safe choice for diabetics.
Consult a diabetologist for advice.
Is Singhara or Water Chestnut good for high blood pressure?
We all know, high blood pressure enhances the risk of heart disease, but this tiny vegetable can help lower blood pressure significantly. Being high in potassium, singhara counteracts the effect of sodium, lowering blood pressure. And it is heart-friendly food.
Water chestnuts are high in potassium. Potassium-rich diets have been linked to lower risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure and strokes. Singhara is also known to reduce the cholesterol levels in the blood which prevents the risk of ischemic heart disease and other cardiovascular complications.
Explore more about the fruits that are good for your heart.
Does Singhara increase weight?
Chestnuts are high in fiber, which may aid in weight loss by slowing digestion and suppressing appetite. Because of their low-fat content, they also have fewer calories than other types of nuts.
Water chestnuts are 74 percent water, making them a high-volume food. A diet rich in high-volume foods may help you lose weight because they keep you fuller for longer while consuming fewer calories.
Water chestnuts are an excellent source of fiber. According to research, eating plenty of fiber may help promote bowel movements, lower blood cholesterol, regulate blood sugar levels, and keep your gut healthy. Furthermore, carbs account for the majority of the calories in water chestnuts.
However, because raw water chestnuts are 74% water, they are generally low in calories.
Is Water Chestnut an antioxidant?
Singhara contains many antioxidants in it such as;
- Tannins
- Vitamin C
- Lutein
- Zeaxanthin
- Alkaloids, etc
The presence of such antioxidants imparts antioxidative properties to singhara. It helps fight against infections and diseases caused by free radicals such as many heart diseases, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, etc. Ellagic acid and gallic acid, which possess powerful antioxidant properties help in preventing heart diseases and suppress tumor growth in a number of different types of cancers.
Is Singhara good for constipation?
Water chestnut or singhara provides a fairly good amount of fiber. It contains 12% of the daily fiber recommendation for women and 8% for men. The fiber in singhara aids digestive health in a number of ways. Fiber helps in the digestion of food through the small intestine.
Fiber absorbs water in the gastrointestinal tract which adds bulk to the stool as well as softens them. This allows them to pass more easily through the body.
Can you eat Singhara fruit daily?
Despite all of these benefits, some precautions are still required; depending on one’s digestive system, a healthy person can consume 10 to 15 grams of singhara daily; excess can cause bloating or stomach ache as they are highly addictive; people suffering from constipation should avoid it.
It is always advisable to consult your dietitian before adding anything to your daily diet. You can consult the best dietitians in Karachi through Marham. pk for further information related to the water chestnut.
How can you eat Singhara?
Singhara is a delicious winter snack. As it grows in slightly runny water, the fruit may contain some toxins when sold fresh, so it should be neutralized by blanching, boiling, steaming, or roasting for at least seven minutes before peeling or slicing.
- Drink: Singhara can be blended into drinks and beverages
- Savory: Water chestnut can be added to salads, clear soups, stew, or curry
- Wraps: They can be stuffed for wraps or in whole chicken
- Pizza: Sliced and tossed singhara can serve as pizza toppings
- Singhara powder: Singhara can be processed in a chopper to make it into powder and is used as a gravy thickener
- Puddings: Singhara can be minced to make it into puddings
- Singhara flour: Singhara can be powdered and made into singhara flour which is a traditional ayurvedic treatment for treating general weakness and fatigue.
It retains most of its crunchiness after cooking and even when leftovers are reheated.
Take home:
In conclusion, Singhara is a type of aquatic vegetable that is both nutritious and delicious. They are high in antioxidants and minerals and vitamins that may help prevent diseases associated with the heart, digestive system, fertility, diabetes, etc. Water chestnuts are also very versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. Start adding this miracle vegetable into your diet today to reap the singhara benefits for health.
FAQs
1. What does a water chestnut look like?
Water chestnut is grown underwater and has a brownish-black shell that covers the white flesh of the corm or bulb.
2. What are the side effects of eating Singhara?
Eating too much singhara can affect the digestive system resulting in nausea and vomiting. It also causes bloating and hypoglycemia. Blood pressure may fall below normal range by excessive intake of chestnut.
4. Is water chestnut good for you?
Yes, water chestnuts have a lot of health benefits like controlling blood pressure, maintaining blood sugar levels, improving fertility, providing energy, and decreasing oxidative stress with anti-oxidant properties.
