Water chestnut (Singhara) Benefits And Side Effects

With a rapidly increasing number of patients, diabetes is one of the most dreaded diseases in the world. It basically leads to an impairment of the body’s ability to produce or respond to the insulin hormone which in turn results in an elevated amount of glucose in the blood. Water chestnut has been in use as an anti-diabetic in traditional medicine. Animal studies suggest that the methanol extract of water chestnut peels significantly reduces the blood sugar levels.

A recent study indicates that water chestnut has several hypoglycemic compounds which increases the uptake of glucose from the bloodstream.

However, further research is needed to prove similar benefits in humans.

Inflammation is a physical condition where the part of the body may become swollen, reddish in colour and also cause a lot of pain and discomfort. It happens as a reaction to an infection or injury. Studies conducted to test the anti-inflammatory properties of water chestnut suggest that it may be a promising anti-inflammatory agent and thus may give relief from various kinds of aches caused due to inflammation. The study further reports that water chestnut mediates an anti-inflammatory response by inhibiting the secretion of certain inflammatory cytokines.

(Read more: Inflammatory disease treatment)

In layman’s terms, a peptic ulcer is a kind of ulcer which develops on the inner lining of the stomach. This can cause burning sensations and a lot of pain. Preclinical studies suggest that the ethanol extracts of water chestnut can be helpful in the treatment of stomach ulcers. The study suggests that the antiulcer effects of water chestnut may be due to an increase in total carbohydrate content and the changed state of the mucosal barrier of the stomach.

Nootropic refers to a substance that facilitates learning by enhancing cognition and memory. It is desirable to consume foods having such substances as it is helpful for the betterment of cognitive processes. Various test models have been used to confirm the nootropic activity of water chestnut extracts. One of the animal studies reported that hydroalcoholic extract of the water chestnut motivated learning as well as improvement of memory. However, no clinical studies have been done so far to confirm similar benefits in humans.

A study on animal models showed that due to its antioxidative properties, water chestnut may be considered a neuroprotective. An excess of free radicals may lead to lipid peroxidation which is a process of oxidative degradation of lipids in the cell membrane. Lipid degradation eventually leads to cell damage and such a damage in the brain cells could lead to neurodegenerative diseases.

The normal body cells release an antioxidant chemical known as glutathione peroxidase which can help repair the body cells and revert this oxidative damage. It was reported in a study that water chestnut is one of the food items restores glutathione peroxidase in the cerebral cortex which protects an organism from oxidative damage.

 But the evidence is not conclusive and further research needs to be done.

All human bodies need biological defences to combat infections and diseases. A good immunity helps us fight these diseases more efficiently. The aqueous extract of the water chestnut fruit was tested for immunomodulatory effects on experimental animals. It was found that the extract was capable of modifying and regulating immune functions. It was further noted that water chestnut extracts stimulate neutrophil (a type of white blood cells) production.

Further studies claim that water chestnuts can stimulate both the cellular and humoral arms of the immune system, thereby improving immunity.

(Read more: How to increase immunity)

Several studies suggest the antimicrobial potential of water chestnut. Fruit extracts of different water chestnut varieties were evaluated for antifungal properties, and it was found that ethanol and petroleum extracts had significant activity against certain fungi. In vitro (lab-based) studies suggest that the water chestnut has some peptides (a small chain of amino acids) which are helpful in inhibiting the growth of Candida tropicalis, a common infectious yeast. 

It was also procured that the wild varieties of water chestnuts had comparatively more efficient antifungal activity than the common red and green types.

Furthermore, it has been documented that extracts of Trapa natans plant possess antimicrobial properties as seen against certain test organisms (gram-negative bacteria). 

HYpertension or high blood pressure is a condition marked by an excessive pressure on the arterial walls. It is one of the major causes of heart diseases and stroke. Studies suggest that water chestnut can help in controlling blood pressure. This may be because of the high level of potassium in them. The potassium present in water chestnuts can balance the electrolytes in the body thereby regulates blood pressure. It is also suggested pregnant women may have water chestnut to prevent hypertension.

• Water chestnut can be used in the treatment of rheumatism, sunburn, fatigue, low back ache, etc.
• They are known to possess anti-cancer properties.
• Singhara is known to prevent diarrhoea.
• Eye disorders can be cured with the juice that is extracted from the stem of singhara plant.
• In Unani medicine, water chestnut is used for improving fertility.
• Water chestnut has various enzymes including amylase, lipase, and invertase. So, it can be used as a nutritional supplement of these enzymes.