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Tamarind (Tamarindus indica)

Tamarindus indica
Evidence Level
Limited
6 Clinical Trials
6 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

Tamarind is the tangy, sticky pulp from the pods of the tamarind tree, a tropical legume used for centuries as a food and a folk remedy. The fruit pulp is rich in organic acids, potassium and polyphenols, while the seed is roughly half polysaccharide, a soluble fiber also sold as tamarind gum. Most human research is small and looks at metabolic and heart measures. In a 6-week controlled trial in overweight adults, 20 g of pulp a day lowered body weight, blood pressure and LDL cholesterol from the starting point but not significantly more than diet alone. A 4-week exploratory trial found a higher-pulp juice lowered blood triglycerides and a lower-pulp juice lowered blood pressure, though too small for firm conclusions. Tamarind has also raised the absorption of ibuprofen and aspirin, and the fruit is traditionally used as a mild laxative, so people on medicines should take care.

Studied Dose Human studies used 10 g of fruit pulp twice a day (20 g daily) with meals for 6 weeks, 600 mL of juice a day made with 10 to 30 percent pulp for 4 weeks, or 10 g of pulp a day for 18 days. One small study used dried pulp at 15 mg per kg of body weight.
Active Compound Fruit pulp polyphenols (procyanidins, epicatechin, taxifolin and eriodictyol) with organic acids and potassium; the seed is about 50 to 60 percent tamarind seed polysaccharide, a xyloglucan soluble fiber also called tamarind gum.

Benefits

Blood triglyceride levels

A 4-week double-blind study gave 50 adults with raised triglycerides a daily juice made with either 10 or 30 percent tamarind pulp. The higher-pulp juice lowered triglycerides from its starting level by about 17 percent, while the lower-pulp juice did not. The researchers called the study exploratory and not large enough for firm conclusions.

Supported by Trial 2

Blood pressure readings

In that 4-week study, the lower-pulp juice lowered systolic blood pressure by about 7 mm Hg. In the 6-week weight trial, systolic and diastolic pressure fell from the starting point with pulp but not significantly more than diet alone, and a small earlier study reported a drop in diastolic pressure. Results across studies are not consistent.

Supported by Trial 3, Trial 1

Total and LDL cholesterol

In a small study, dried fruit pulp dosed by body weight lowered total and LDL cholesterol from the starting point. The larger 6-week and 4-week trials found no significant change in cholesterol fractions against their comparison groups, so any effect on cholesterol is not consistent across the human studies done so far.

Supported by Trial 3, Trial 2

Body weight and waist circumference

In a 6-week controlled trial, 40 overweight and obese adults followed diet and activity advice with or without 20 g of fruit pulp a day. Body mass index and waist circumference fell from the starting point in the tamarind group, but the changes were not significantly different from the diet-only group, so the fruit added no clear advantage over diet alone.

Supported by Trial 1

Fasting blood sugar

Fasting blood sugar did not change significantly against the comparison group in the 6-week trial in overweight adults. Laboratory and animal work suggests tamarind extracts can slow carbohydrate-digesting enzymes and lower glucose, but these effects have not been confirmed in controlled human trials.

Supported by Trial 1

Tamarind seed polysaccharide as a soluble fiber

The tamarind seed kernel is about half polysaccharide, a water-holding fiber (tamarind gum) that resists digestion in the stomach and small intestine in laboratory models and is fermented by gut bacteria. In test-tube studies it raised beneficial Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus and short-chain fatty acids. This prebiotic work is laboratory only.

Supported by Trial 4, Trial 2

Mechanism of action

1

Polyphenols and antioxidant activity

The pulp and seed carry procyanidins, epicatechin, taxifolin and eriodictyol, polyphenols that scavenge free radicals in laboratory tests. Reviews propose this antioxidant activity as one basis for the lipid and glucose effects seen in animals, but the link has not been measured directly in people.

2

Soluble fiber and organic acids in the gut

Tamarind pulp and seed supply soluble fiber along with organic acids such as tartaric acid. Fiber can hold water, slow digestion and bind bile acids in the gut, and the combination of fiber and organic acids is the usual explanation for the fruit's long-standing use as a mild laxative.

3

Enzyme inhibition (laboratory and animal work)

In test-tube and rodent studies, tamarind seed extracts slow carbohydrate- and fat-handling enzymes, and a seed trypsin inhibitor reduced food intake and blood lipids in obese rats. These are proposed metabolic mechanisms from preclinical work, not demonstrated effects in humans.

Clinical trials

1
Tamarind Fruit Pulp and Cardiometabolic Measures in Overweight and Obese Adults
PubMed

Randomized controlled trial of 20 g of fruit pulp a day plus diet, or diet alone, for 6 weeks (Asgary et al. 2020, Int J Prev Med)

40 overweight and obese adults, 20 per group, all given diet and physical-activity advice.

Body mass index, waist circumference, LDL cholesterol, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure fell from baseline in the tamarind group, but none of these changes, nor fasting glucose or the rest of the lipid profile, differed significantly from the diet-only group. The authors concluded 20 g a day had no significant effect beyond diet.

2
Tamarind Juice, Triglycerides and Blood Pressure: Dose-Response Exploratory Trial
PubMed

4-week double-blind randomized dose-response trial of a daily tamarind juice at two pulp levels (Kiyimba et al. 2025, Food Funct)

50 adults aged 30 to 60 living with HIV and with triglycerides of 150 mg/dL or higher, split between a 10 percent and a 30 percent fruit-pulp juice.

The 30 percent pulp juice lowered triglycerides by 39.8 mg/dL (about 17 percent), while the 10 percent juice did not; total, LDL and HDL cholesterol did not change at either dose. The 10 percent juice lowered systolic blood pressure by 7.4 mm Hg and mean arterial pressure. The authors said the trial was not powered for firm conclusions (NCT06058845).

3
Dried Tamarind Pulp and Lipid Profile in Human Volunteers
PubMed

Small human study of dried fruit pulp dosed at 15 mg per kg of body weight (Iftekhar et al. 2006, Pak J Pharm Sci)

Adult human volunteers; the brief report does not describe a separate placebo group.

Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol fell significantly from the starting values, and diastolic blood pressure dropped, while body weight and systolic blood pressure did not change notably. The study was small and reported only briefly.

4
Tamarind Fruit Extract and Ibuprofen Absorption in Healthy Volunteers
PubMed

Pharmacokinetic study of a 400 mg ibuprofen dose taken with a meal containing tamarind fruit extract (Garba et al. 2003, Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet)

6 healthy adult volunteers.

A meal containing tamarind fruit extract significantly raised the amount of ibuprofen absorbed, roughly doubling the area under the blood-concentration curve compared with the drug taken while fasting or with a meal that had no extract. Levels of ibuprofen breakdown products also rose. A very small pharmacokinetic study.

5
Tamarind Fruit Extract and Aspirin Absorption in Healthy Volunteers
PubMed

Pharmacokinetic study of a 600 mg aspirin dose taken with a meal containing tamarind fruit extract (Mustapha et al. 1996, Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet)

6 healthy adult volunteers.

A meal containing tamarind fruit extract significantly increased blood levels of aspirin and its product salicylic acid, with a higher peak concentration and a larger area under the curve than aspirin taken while fasting or with a plain meal. The authors concluded the extract increased aspirin absorption. A very small study.

6
Tamarind and Urinary Fluoride Excretion in School Children
PubMed

Randomized diet-controlled study of 10 g of tamarind a day with lunch for 18 days (Khandare et al. 2002, Eur J Clin Nutr)

20 healthy boys, 18 of whom completed the study, kept on a constant daily diet.

Daily tamarind raised 24-hour urinary fluoride excretion from 3.5 to 4.8 mg a day, while urinary magnesium and zinc excretion fell during the tamarind period. This card is included for context on how tamarind affects mineral handling, not as evidence that tamarind treats any condition.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Eaten as food, tamarind is well tolerated; large amounts of the fruit may cause loose stools because the pulp acts as a mild laxative, owing to its fiber and organic acids.
In controlled feeding studies, tamarind raised urinary fluoride excretion and lowered urinary magnesium and zinc; people who are low in these minerals should keep intake to normal food amounts.
The pulp is acidic, so very frequent use may be hard on tooth enamel or an irritated stomach.
Medicinal amounts of concentrated tamarind have not been well studied in pregnancy or breastfeeding; ask a doctor before using more than normal food amounts.

Important Drug interactions

Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs: a meal with tamarind fruit extract roughly doubled ibuprofen absorption in a small study, which could increase both effect and side effects; keep doses separate and tell your doctor.
Aspirin: tamarind fruit extract increased aspirin and salicylic-acid blood levels in a small study, so combining large amounts of tamarind with aspirin may raise exposure to the drug.
Blood-pressure medicines: tamarind has lowered blood pressure in some studies, so the effects could add up; monitor and check with your prescriber.
Diabetes medicines: because laboratory work points to a glucose-lowering action, monitor blood sugar if you take glucose-lowering drugs, even though human trials have not shown a clear effect.

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Frequently asked questions about Tamarind (Tamarindus indica)

What is tamarind used for as a supplement?

Tamarind fruit pulp is studied mostly for metabolic and heart measures such as blood triglycerides, blood pressure, cholesterol, body weight and blood sugar. The seed polysaccharide is used as a soluble fiber. Most of the evidence is small or early, so tamarind is best seen as a food-based option rather than a proven treatment.

How much tamarind did the studies use?

Human studies used about 20 g of fruit pulp a day (10 g twice daily) with meals for 6 weeks, a daily juice made with 10 to 30 percent pulp for 4 weeks, or 10 g of pulp a day. These are ordinary culinary amounts of the fruit rather than concentrated extracts.

Can tamarind affect my medications?

In small studies, taking a meal with tamarind extract increased how much ibuprofen and aspirin the body absorbed. Because tamarind may also lower blood pressure and, in laboratory work, blood sugar, it is sensible to separate it from these medicines and tell your doctor if you use tamarind in medicinal amounts.

Does tamarind cause loose stools?

The fruit is traditionally used as a mild laxative, and eating large amounts can loosen the stool because the pulp supplies fiber and organic acids. Normal food amounts are usually well tolerated.

What is Tamarind?

Tamarind is the tangy, sticky pulp from the pods of the tamarind tree, a tropical legume used for centuries as a food and a folk remedy. The fruit pulp is rich in organic acids, potassium and polyphenols, while the seed is roughly half polysaccharide, a soluble fiber also sold as tamarind gum.

What is Tamarind used for?

Tamarind is researched primarily for Metabolic Health, Weight Management, and Cardiovascular. A 4-week double-blind study gave 50 adults with raised triglycerides a daily juice made with either 10 or 30 percent tamarind pulp.

What is the recommended dosage of Tamarind?

The clinically studied dose is Human studies used 10 g of fruit pulp twice a day (20 g daily) with meals for 6 weeks, 600 mL of juice a day made with 10 to 30 percent pulp for 4 weeks, or 10 g of pulp a day for 18 days. One small study used dried pulp at 15 mg per kg of body weight. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Tamarind safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Tamarind is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Eaten as food, tamarind is well tolerated; large amounts of the fruit may cause loose stools because the pulp acts as a mild laxative, owing to its fiber and organic acids. It may also interact with some medications. Tamarind is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Tamarind interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs: a meal with tamarind fruit extract roughly doubled ibuprofen absorption in a small study, which could increase both effect and side effects; keep doses separate and tell your doctor. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Tamarind?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Tamarind as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 6 clinical trials and 10 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(10 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Asgary S, Soltani R, Barzegar N, Sarrafzadegan N. Evaluation on the Effects of Tamarindus Indica L. Fruit on Body Weight and Several Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Obese and Overweight Adult Patients: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Int J Prev Med. 2020;11:24. doi: 10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_558_18.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized controlled trial in 40 overweight and obese adults: 20 g of fruit pulp a day plus diet for 6 weeks lowered BMI, waist circumference, LDL cholesterol and blood pressure from baseline, but none of the changes, nor fasting glucose, differed significantly from diet alone. Supports the body weight, cholesterol, blood pressure and fasting blood sugar benefits (as a null between-group result).
  2. Kiyimba T, Kigozi F, Bamuwamye M, Yiga P, Nakatudde K, Nabbanja W, Ogwok P, Verdonck T, Cabooter D, Van der Schueren B, Matthys C. Effect of tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) on the cardiometabolic health of patients living with HIV and elevated triglyceride levels: a dose-response double-blind, randomized exploratory trial. Food Funct. 2025;16(11):4343-4355. doi: 10.1039/d4fo03595j.PubMedUsed to support: 4-week double-blind dose-response trial in 50 adults with triglycerides of 150 mg/dL or higher: a juice made with 30 percent fruit pulp lowered triglycerides by 39.8 mg/dL (about 17 percent), while a 10 percent juice lowered systolic blood pressure by 7.4 mm Hg; cholesterol fractions did not change. The authors said the trial was exploratory and not powered for firm conclusions (NCT06058845). Supports the triglyceride and blood pressure benefits.
  3. Iftekhar AS, Rayhan I, Quadir MA, Akhteruzzaman S, Hasnat A. Effect of Tamarindus indica fruits on blood pressure and lipid-profile in human model: an in vivo approach. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2006;19(2):125-9..PubMedUsed to support: Small human study of dried fruit pulp at 15 mg per kg of body weight: total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol fell significantly and diastolic blood pressure dropped, while body weight and systolic blood pressure did not change notably. Supports the cholesterol and blood pressure benefits.
  4. Garba M, Yakasai IA, Bakare MT, Munir HY. Effect of Tamarindus indica. L on the bioavailability of ibuprofen in healthy human volunteers. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2003;28(3):179-84. doi: 10.1007/BF03190483.PubMedUsed to support: Pharmacokinetic study in 6 healthy volunteers: a meal with tamarind fruit extract significantly raised ibuprofen absorption, roughly doubling the area under the blood-concentration curve versus the drug taken fasting or with a plain meal, and raised levels of ibuprofen metabolites. Supports the ibuprofen drug-absorption caution.
  5. Mustapha A, Yakasai IA, Aguye IA. Effect of Tamarindus indica L. on the bioavailability of aspirin in healthy human volunteers. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 1996;21(3):223-6. doi: 10.1007/BF03189717.PubMedUsed to support: Pharmacokinetic study in 6 healthy volunteers: a meal with tamarind fruit extract significantly increased blood levels of aspirin and salicylic acid, with a higher peak and larger area under the curve than aspirin taken fasting or with a plain meal. Supports the aspirin drug-absorption caution.
  6. Khandare AL, Rao GS, Lakshmaiah N. Effect of tamarind ingestion on fluoride excretion in humans. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2002;56(1):82-5. doi: 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601287.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized diet-controlled study in 20 boys (18 completed): 10 g of tamarind a day for 18 days raised 24-hour urinary fluoride excretion from 3.5 to 4.8 mg a day and lowered urinary magnesium and zinc excretion. Cited as study context for how tamarind affects mineral handling, not as a disease claim.
  7. Khandare AL, Kumar P U, Shanker RG, Venkaiah K, Lakshmaiah N. Additional beneficial effect of tamarind ingestion over defluoridated water supply to adolescent boys in a fluorotic area. Nutrition. 2004;20(5):433-6. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2004.01.007.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized diet-controlled study in 30 adolescent boys: after defluoridated water, adding tamarind for 3 weeks increased urinary fluoride excretion and urine pH and lowered urinary calcium and copper versus control. Cited as study context for tamarind and fluoride and mineral handling, not as a disease claim.
  8. Zhang Y, Long R, Li C, Cheng L, Liu R, Liu X, Duan B. Exploring Nutritional Properties, Bioactive Compounds, and Potential Applications of Tamarindus indica L.: An Underutilized Food Plant. Foods. 2026;15(11):1953. doi: 10.3390/foods15111953.PubMedUsed to support: Review of tamarind nutrition and phytochemistry: the pulp is rich in carbohydrates, dietary fiber, potassium and polyphenols (procyanidins, epicatechin, taxifolin, eriodictyol), and the seed is about 50 to 60 percent polysaccharide that resists digestion and acts as a prebiotic in laboratory tests; hypolipidemic and antidiabetic effects come mainly from in vitro and animal studies, with human clinical data described as scarce. Supports the active-compound description, the soluble-fiber benefit and the enzyme-inhibition and antioxidant mechanisms.
  9. Havinga RM, Hartl A, Putscher J, Prehsler S, Buchmann C, Vogl CR. Tamarindus indica L. (Fabaceae): patterns of use in traditional African medicine. J Ethnopharmacol. 2010;127(3):573-88. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.11.028.PubMedUsed to support: Review of traditional use across Africa: tamarind fruit is most prominently used as a laxative and a fever remedy throughout the Sahel and Soudan zones. Supports the traditional mild-laxative description in the fiber mechanism and side-effects, labeled as traditional use.
  10. Bhadoriya SS, Ganeshpurkar A, Narwaria J, Rai G, Jain AP. Tamarindus indica: Extent of explored potential. Pharmacogn Rev. 2011;5(9):73-81. doi: 10.4103/0973-7847.79102.PubMedUsed to support: Comprehensive review of tamarind phytochemistry and traditional and pharmacological uses, including documented laxative and anti-hyperlipidemic activity and traditional use for constipation. Supports the traditional laxative use and the general background in the short description.