Tamarinds

Tamarind. A hardwood tree native to Africa but also grows in India, Pakistan, and many other tropical regions. The tree produces bean-like pods filled with seeds surrounded by a fibrous pulp that becomes paste-like and more sweet-sour as it ripens.

Tamarind was commonly used to treat diarrhoea, constipation, fever, and malaria. Modern researchers are now studying this plant for potential medicinal uses and have found that tamarinds may indeed have antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial effects. Additionally, they can also protect against heart diseases, cancer, and diabetes due to the polyphenols in them, which have excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. 

The polyphenols help regulate (bad) cholesterol levels.

[One study in hamsters with high cholesterol found that tamarind fruit extract lowered total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglycerides (=bad fat)].