NutriDex

The Supplement Research Compendium
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Tamarind

Tamarindus indica

Tangy pod pulp rich in polyphenols and tartaric acid

Preliminary evidence 🍎Fruits

✚ Updated · How we grade evidence

Evidence tier
Preliminary
Research weight
Citations
10 verified / 10
Classification
Fruits
❝
What the evidence says. Early or small human trials; promising but not yet conclusive.

Nutrition per serving 1/2 cup pulp (120 g)

120gSERVING
  • Water 37.7 g31%
  • Sugars 46.6 g39%
  • Fibre 6.1 g5%
  • Other carbs 22.3 g19%
  • Protein 3.4 g3%
  • Fat 0.7 g1%
  • Other 3.2 g3%
What's in one serving, by weight — average composition (USDA).
Fiber22%Magnesium26%Thiamin (B1)43%Potassium16%Iron19%Phosphorus11%
One serving as % of the adult daily requirement (FDA Daily Values). The bold outer ring = 100% of a day's needs.
287 kcal3.4 g protein6.1 g fiber0.7 g fat
NutrientPer serving% daily value
Fiber6.1 g22%
Magnesium110 mg26%
Thiamin (B1)0.51 mg43%
Potassium754 mg16%
Iron3.4 mg19%
Phosphorus136 mg11%
Niacin (B3)2.3 mg15%
Copper0.1 mg11%

Composition data: USDA FoodData Central ↗

What is Tamarind?

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) is a fruit used for may modestly lower triglycerides and blood pressure (small, short, underpowered rcts in dyslipidemic/hiv adults). NutriDex grades the human evidence as Preliminary. Human evidence for tamarind is preliminary and dominated by small, short, often single-site trials. A 2025 4-week dose-response exploratory RCT in adults with HIV and high triglycerides (n=50) found that 30% tamarind-pulp juice (600 mL/day) cut triglycerides by about 17% (-39.8 mg/dL), while a 10% dose lowered systolic blood pressure by ~7 mmHg; neither dose changed cholesterol, and the trial was explicitly underpowered/exploratory. A separate 2006 clinical study of dried pulp (~15 mg/kg) reported reduced total and LDL cholesterol and diastolic pressure. The most reproducible findings are non-dietary: diet-controlled studies show tamarind ingestion increases urinary fluoride excretion (potentially aiding fluorosis), and several randomized studies show tamarind seed polysaccharide eye drops match hyaluronic acid or HP-Guar for dry eye. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and hepatoprotective effects are reported mainly in cell and animal models, not confirmed in humans. Overall the cardiometabolic signals are promising but not established; larger, well-powered trials are needed before health claims are warranted.

Purported Benefits

✓May modestly lower triglycerides and blood pressure (small, short, underpowered RCTs in dyslipidemic/HIV adults)
✓May reduce total and LDL cholesterol (one early human trial of dried pulp)
✓Increases urinary fluoride excretion, potentially helping mobilize fluoride in endemic-fluorosis areas (diet-controlled human studies)
✓Seed polysaccharide (TSP) eye drops relieve dry-eye symptoms comparably to hyaluronic acid or HP-Guar
✓Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity from polyphenols (largely preclinical)
✓Tamarind-seed/turmeric extract blend (TamaFlex) eased exercise-related knee pain and improved walking distance

Dosing & Compounds

Typical Dose
Culinary: about 10-30 g of pulp per day (paste, juice, or chutney). Cardiometabolic trials used 600 mL/day of 10-30% tamarind-pulp juice or ~15 mg/kg dried pulp; dry-eye and joint benefits used non-dietary extracts (TSP eye drops, TamaFlex capsules), which are not interchangeable with culinary fruit.
Active Compounds
Organic acids: tartaric acid (dominant), malic and citric acidFlavonoids: catechin, epicatechin, procyanidins, taxifolinPhenolic acids: caffeic, ferulic, p-coumaric acidsTannins and proanthocyanidinsSeed polysaccharide (xyloglucan, mucomimetic 'TSP')Soluble dietary fiber and pectinMinerals: magnesium, potassium, iron, phosphorusB-vitamins: thiamin, niacin, riboflavinSaponins and alkaloids (minor)

Safety & Cautions

Generally recognized as safe as a food. The high tartaric/malic acid content makes the pulp very acidic and potentially erosive to tooth enamel and irritating in reflux. Tamarind has documented drug-interaction potential: it increased the bioavailability of aspirin and ibuprofen and may raise exposure to other drugs. It can enhance fluoride mobilization, usually beneficial but relevant in those with heavy fluoride exposure. Tamarind is high in sugar (about 47 g per 120 g) and calorically dense, so portions matter for diabetes and weight goals. Seed/pulp allergy is rare but possible; concentrated extracts and herbal-blend products (eye drops, TamaFlex, suppositories) are clinically distinct from culinary fruit. Educational only — always check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining Tamarind with any medicine.

Key Studies ★ 10 studies

Randomized controlled trial Kiyimba 2025 ✓ Full text
4-week dose-response double-blind exploratory RCT (n=50, HIV with TG>=150 mg/dL): 30% tamarind-pulp juice (600 mL/day) lowered triglycerides by -39.8 mg/dL (-17.3%, p=0.006); the 10% juice lowered systolic BP by ~7.4 mmHg. No change in total/LDL/HDL cholesterol; authors note the trial was underpowered/exploratory.
Randomized controlled trial Rao 2019 ✓ Full text
90-day double-blind placebo-controlled RCT (n=90): tamarind-seed + turmeric extract (NXT15906F6/TamaFlex, 250 or 400 mg) improved 6-minute walk distance and reduced knee pain in non-arthritic adults vs placebo.
Randomized controlled trial Baery 2018 ✓ Full text
Randomized double-blind trial (n=127): a Persian-medicine vaginal suppository (Forzejeh) containing Tamarindus indica plus three herbs was as effective as metronidazole for bacterial-vaginosis symptoms and Amsel criteria.
Randomized controlled trial Barabino 2013 ✓ Full text
Multicenter double-masked RCT (n=49, moderate dry eye): combined hyaluronic acid + tamarind seed polysaccharide significantly improved OSDI symptom scores vs carmellose sodium over 3 months.
Randomized controlled trial Jacobi 2012 ✓ Full text
Prospective randomized trial (n=28, 56 eyes): preservative-free tamarind seed polysaccharide 1% drops improved moderate dry-eye symptoms and tear stability comparably to HP-Guar (Systane) over 3 months.
Clinical trial Iftekhar 2006 ✓ PubMed
Human clinical trial: dried tamarind pulp (~15 mg/kg) significantly reduced total cholesterol (p=0.031) and LDL-cholesterol (p=0.004) and lowered diastolic blood pressure; no significant effect on systolic BP or body weight.
Randomized controlled trial Khandare 2002 ✓ Full text
Randomized diet-controlled study in 18 boys: 10 g tamarind/day raised 24-h urinary fluoride excretion (~3.5 to 4.8 mg/day, p<0.001), suggesting potential to delay fluorosis progression.
Randomized controlled trial Khandare 2004 ✓ Full text
Randomized diet-controlled study (n=30) in a fluorotic area: tamarind on top of defluoridated water further increased urinary fluoride excretion and urinary pH (p<0.01), consistent with mobilizing deposited bone fluoride.
Randomized controlled trial Rolando 2007 ✓ Full text
Randomized study (n=30): tamarind seed polysaccharide eye drops (0.5% and 1%) gave at least equivalent dry-eye relief to 0.2% hyaluronic acid over 90 days, with TSP 1% improving certain symptoms.
Review Rabeiro-Martinez 2026 ✓ Full text
Narrative review (PubMed/Scopus/ScienceDirect, 2000-2025): tamarind flavonoids, tannins and phenolics show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer activity, largely preclinical.
10 sources cited · 10 verified Search all studies on PubMed ↗

Common questions about Tamarind

What is Tamarind used for?

Tamarind is most often taken for May modestly lower triglycerides and blood pressure (small, short, underpowered RCTs in dyslipidemic/HIV adults), May reduce total and LDL cholesterol (one early human trial of dried pulp), Increases urinary fluoride excretion, potentially helping mobilize fluoride in endemic-fluorosis areas (diet-controlled human studies), Seed polysaccharide (TSP) eye drops relieve dry-eye symptoms comparably to hyaluronic acid or HP-Guar. Tangy pod pulp rich in polyphenols and tartaric acid

Does Tamarind work — what does the evidence say?

Preliminary evidence. Early or small human trials; promising but not yet conclusive. Human evidence for tamarind is preliminary and dominated by small, short, often single-site trials. A 2025 4-week dose-response exploratory RCT in adults with HIV and high triglycerides (n=50) found that 30% tamarind-pulp juice (600 mL/day) cut triglycerides by about 17% (-39.8 mg/dL), while a 10% dose lowered systolic blood pressure by ~7 mmHg; neither dose changed cholesterol, and the trial was explicitly underpowered/exploratory. A separate 2006 clinical study of dried pulp (~15 mg/kg) reported reduced total and LDL cholesterol and diastolic pressure. The most reproducible findings are non-dietary: diet-controlled studies show tamarind ingestion increases urinary fluoride excretion (potentially aiding fluorosis), and several randomized studies show tamarind seed polysaccharide eye drops match hyaluronic acid or HP-Guar for dry eye. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and hepatoprotective effects are reported mainly in cell and animal models, not confirmed in humans. Overall the cardiometabolic signals are promising but not established; larger, well-powered trials are needed before health claims are warranted.

What is the typical dose of Tamarind?

Culinary: about 10-30 g of pulp per day (paste, juice, or chutney). Cardiometabolic trials used 600 mL/day of 10-30% tamarind-pulp juice or ~15 mg/kg dried pulp; dry-eye and joint benefits used non-dietary extracts (TSP eye drops, TamaFlex capsules), which are not interchangeable with culinary fruit.

Is Tamarind safe? Any cautions or side effects?

Generally recognized as safe as a food. The high tartaric/malic acid content makes the pulp very acidic and potentially erosive to tooth enamel and irritating in reflux. Tamarind has documented drug-interaction potential: it increased the bioavailability of aspirin and ibuprofen and may raise exposure to other drugs. It can enhance fluoride mobilization, usually beneficial but relevant in those with heavy fluoride exposure. Tamarind is high in sugar (about 47 g per 120 g) and calorically dense, so portions matter for diabetes and weight goals. Seed/pulp allergy is rare but possible; concentrated extracts and herbal-blend products (eye drops, TamaFlex, suppositories) are clinically distinct from culinary fruit.

How many studies support Tamarind?

NutriDex cites 10 sources for Tamarind, graded "Preliminary".

Cite this page
APA

Peh, D. (2026). Tamarind (Tamarindus indica): Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects & Evidence. NutriDex — The Supplement Research Compendium. Retrieved 26 Jun 2026, from https://nutridex.info/s/tamarind

BibTeX
@misc{nutridex_tamarind,
  author       = {Peh, Daryl},
  title        = {Tamarind (Tamarindus indica): Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects \& Evidence},
  year         = {2026},
  howpublished = {NutriDex --- The Supplement Research Compendium},
  url          = {https://nutridex.info/s/tamarind},
  note         = {Reviewed by Dr Daryl Peh, MBBS Singapore, MMed FM. Accessed 2026-06-26}
}

For medical claims, citing the underlying primary studies linked above is preferred. NutriDex is an educational reference, not medical advice.

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