Just when you thought you could beat the heat with ACs, coolers and refreshing drinks, your skin acts up. Summer can be really harsh on our skin, making it lose all the sheen and glow. Tan, acne and roughness are probably a few of the most concerning factors during the season and hence, experts suggest taking extra care to prevent any such problems. What comes to your mind when we say summer skincare? The most common answer will application of sunscreen and anti-tan masks. While we don't deny their usage, what people fail to understand is that these are short-term solutions. To make your skin heal and glow from within, one needs to maintain a healthy diet and drink lots of water; and for doing that, you don't need to go miles. Instead, identify the right kind of ingredient from your kitchen and indulge. One such amazing food item is imli (tamarind).
In this article, we will explain to you how imli benefits your skin health during the summers and also share a delicious recipe that can be a perfect fit for your ongoing diet.
Also Read: How To Make Simple Tamarind (Imli) Chutney At Home?
Photo Credit: iStock
Is Imli (Tamarind) Good For Your Skin?
Imli is probably one of the most used ingredients in a kitchen. From making chutney to adding it to curries for a hint of tanginess, imli can be used in more than one way. Besides, it is super nutritious too. Imli contains vitamin C, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties that help your body detox, promote blood flow in the cells and maintain the water content of your body. These factors further help our skin breathe properly, restoring the sheen.
How Imli Benefits Your Skin During The Summers?
1. Reduces body heat:
The antioxidants in imli work as a natural coolant for the body and helps beat the heat outside. This further prevents the growth of rashes, acne and pimple, which often occurs due to extreme body heat.
2. Prevents dehydration:
Imli helps you detox well, maintaining the water balance in the body. This further helps prevent your skin from getting dehydrated, regaining the natural moisture.
3. Reduces dark spots:
Summer often leads to pigmentation and dark spots on the skin. Here, tamarind comes to your rescue. It contains Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that help brighten your skin naturally, regaining the much-desired glow.
4. Removes tan:
Imli is a storehouse of vitamin C, antioxidants and flavonoids that prevents the formation of free radicals in the body. This further helps soothe our skin and reduce the tan due to the scorching heat outside.
5. Slows down the ageing process:
As mentioned earlier, imli helps maintain the water balance of the skin and keep up the moisture level. These factors further help keep up the natural tightness of the skin, slowing the ageing process.
Also Read: 5 Interesting Ways To Add Imli To Your Diet
Photo Credit: iStock
Is It Okay To Eat Imli Every Day? Is Eating Too Much Imli Bad For Health?
Studies have claimed that due to the antioxidants and flavonoids, eating imli every day helps keep up the balance in your body. But, it is important to maintain moderation in all things. Imli contains acid components, which if consumed in excess, may erode the tooth enamel, causing various oral damages.
How Much Imli Can You Eat In A Day?
As per health experts, an average man can have about 10 grams of imli per day. But the amount may vary from person to person, depending on their preference, health issues, allergies and various other factors.
How To Include Imli In Your Summer Skin Care Diet?
While there are multiple ways to enjoy the tanginess of imli, during the summers, we prefer making a khatti-meethi sherbet with it. With imli juice, dhania and spices, the drink adds a burst of flavour to your palate and quenches your thirst instantly. Let's look into the delicious recipe.
How To Make Imli Ka Sherbet For Summer Skin Care:
To make this cooling drink, first, soak tamarind pulp in water and strain the water. Then add black salt, sugar and roasted jeera for some taste. You can also replace sugar with jaggery or rock candy. Just make sure, the drink strikes a good balance between sweet-salt-sour flavours.
Now, chop some coriander leaves, pound them coarsely in a mortar and pestle and mix them with the drink. Finally, top with some crushed ice and serve. Click here for the detailed recipe.
Try the drink and let us know how you liked it!
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
About Somdatta SahaExplorer- this is what Somdatta likes to call herself. Be it in terms of food, people or places, all she craves for is to know the unknown. A simple aglio olio pasta or daal-chawal and a good movie can make her day.