What Are The Best Makhana Benefits For Health And Skin

If you’ve been fretting over your unhealthy snacking habits, then worry no more. The perfect solution to satisfy such cravings in the most nutritious way is eating makhana. Also known as lotus stem and fox nut, it is makhana nutritional value that makes it a perfectly healthy snack. These nuts come from makhana plant also known as Euryale (lotus) that is cultivated in stagnant water. Now, if we have managed to get your attention and you’re interested in learning about Makhana Benefits and some wonderful makhana recipes, then glide down through our list to explore more about what is makhana and why is it so popular.

What Is Makhana?

Makhana is a dry fruit from makhana plant that is cultivated in Eastern Asia. The white colored makhana seeds are mostly eaten during fasting and they are also used to make an extremely popular Indian sweet dish, kheer. In fact, the nutritional value of makhana has been exploited in Chinese culture as an ayurvedic remedy to cure heart diseases for over 3000 years now. You can eat roasted makhana seeds for evening snacking or can also soak them in milk to prepare different makhana recipes.

An Insight On Makhana Nutrition That Makes It So Valuable

Makhana benefits are an attribute to its rich nutritional value that makes this nut no less than an ayurvedic medicine. The content below is a chart on makhana nutrition per 100 grams.

100 grams of makhana gives 350 calories, constituting 77 grams of carbohydrates, 9.7 grams of protein, and 0.1 grams of fat, none of which is trans fat. Besides, it contains the following minerals and vitamins that are the real reasons behind the benefits of makhana.

Calcium – 52.2 mg
Iron – 1.1 mg
Potassium – 367 mg
Magnesium – 67.2 mg
Copper – 0.1 mg
Folate – 33.3?g
Niacin – 0.5 mg
Zinc – 0.3 mg
Thiamine – 0.2 mg
Phosphorous – 200.3 mg
Vitamin A – 1?g
Vitamin B-6 – 0.2 mg

11 Stunning Makhana Benefits For Health That You Should Be Aware Of

By now, you already know that makhana calories are practically harmless since they are minimal. Besides, makhana calories are a result of protein, vitamins, and minerals, and not just carbs. This is the real reason that makhana is known as a low-calorie dry fruit. And considering how valuable makhana seeds are, we have made a list of some of the best makhana benefits for health that is listed below for your reference.

1. Makhana For Weight Loss

Makhana is a low-calorie diet that helps in weight loss since it can suppress hunger

2. Makhana Plant For Constipation

Makhana dry fruits from makhana plant are rich sources of dietary fibers. And dietary fibers increase bowel movement and reduce constipation

3. Makhana Seeds For Digestion

Makhana is an anti-inflammatory food source that reduces intestinal infection and promotes digestion

4. Makhana For Acidity

The capability to cure acidity and bloating is one of the best makhana benefits that help people suffering from gastrointestinal disorders

5. Makhana Benefits For Blood Pressure

Makhana is low sodium and high potassium diet that helps in reducing high blood pressure. This is the reason that makhana is a popular fasting dish since it can manage low blood pressure

6. Makhana Seeds For Metabolism

Makhana contains essential minerals like iron and phosphorous to detoxify the body. As a result of which the body’s metabolism improves

7. Makhana For Cholesterol

Makhana is a low-calorie metabolic booster that helps in blasting deposited fat; thereby, reducing cholesterol

8. Makhana Benefits For Diabetic Patients

Makhana seeds have a low glycemic index. As a result, they are a potential cure for type 1 diabetes as well as 2 diabetes

9. Makhana For Bones

Makhana benefits for bones are due to the presence of calcium. Calcium takes care of bone degenerative disorders and also offers relief from joint inflammatory conditions like gout and arthritis

10. Makhana For Infertility

This is one of the most unique makhana benefits that are helpful for both men and women. It increases sperm count and sperm quality in men and makes the uterus lining strong in women that helps in conceiving

11. Makhana For Insomnia

Many researchers indicate the usefulness of makhana in curing insomnia and other mental disturbances like stress and anxiety

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3 Must Know Phool Makhana Benefits For Skin

The above-listed benefits of makhana make this dry fruit a powerful ayurvedic remedy for a healthy lifestyle. But, in addition to makhana nutrition and health benefits, this dry fruit also offers some beauty benefits like the ones given below.

1. Makhana For Aging

Makhana is an astringent that not just cleanses skin pores, but also tightens them. Besides, it also contains proteins. Therefore, makhana erases the appearance of wrinkles and can also remove black spots from face

2. Makhana For Acne

Makhana contains kaempferol that is an anti-inflammatory flavonoid. Therefore, makhana helps in reducing redness and pain caused by acne

3. Makhana For Dry Skin

Makhana has protein that makes the natural skin protein, collagen, efficient. This results in the formation of plump new cells that are soft, hydrated, and blemish free

4. Makhana For Pigmentation

Makhana seeds stock up high on antioxidants. And antioxidants scavenge free radicals out from the skin. As a result, the skin becomes luminous and pigmentation is reduced drastically

Also read, How To Remove Sun Tan From Hand And Legs In A Week

4 Interesting Makhana Nutrition Facts That Are Worth A Read

Now that you know calories in makhana come from healthy sources and that makhana nutrition results in multiple health and beauty benefits, we have taken the initiative to make you aware with some interesting makhana nutrition facts. Read on to explore more!

Makhana seeds are absolutely gluten-free. Therefore, they are perfect food sources for vegans
Roasted makhana is as nutritious as raw makhana
Makhana seeds do not have a taste of their own. You can, however, relish the salty taste of roasted makhana snacks to manage untimely food cravings
Makhana seeds have a very long shelf life. All that you need to keep them fresh is store them in an airtight container to prevent moisture contamination

4 Simple And Scrumptious Makhana Recipes You Can Enjoy

There are many makhana recipes that you will come across. But not all those recipes are perfectly healthy. And keeping the health factor in mind, we have made a list of 5 makhana recipes that keep makhana nutrition intact and, in fact, increases it further.

1. Makhana Kheer Recipe For Fasting

If you’ve been wondering how to eat makhana during fasting, then makhana kheer is the dish you should be focussing on. As delicious as it looks, the steps to make makhana kheer are equally simple.?

Ingredients Required:

Chopped cashew nuts
Desi Ghee
Cardamom
Milk
Dry fruits
Sugar
Kesar
Makhana

How To Make Makhana Kheer For Navratri Celebration?

Take 1 tbsp desi ghee in a pan and roast ? cup makhana seeds and 3 tbsp of chopped cashew nuts in it. Continue roasting for about 2 minutes until the dry fruits change color and become crunchy
Let the roasted makhana seeds and cashews cool down. Once cool, take half the mixture and grind it
Use a deep pan to boil 1-2 cup of milk and add some sugar (according to taste) in it
Add the ground makhana powder and the remaining roasted makhana and cashew nuts in boiling water and cook till the milk gets thick
Garnish with cardamom powder for extra taste

Since the blood sugar during fasting is on the lower side, makhana kheer is considered very healthy. In fact, you can replace sugar with sugarfree to make this makhana recipe suitable for diabetic people.

2. Khoya Matar Makhana Recipe For Dinner

This is one of the rare full-course meal makhana recipes for dinner.

Ingredients Required:

Makhana seeds – 1 cup
Boiled green peas – 1 cup
Khoya – ? cup
Tomato puree – ? cup
Chopped onions – 2 tbsp
Ginger-garlic paste – 1 tsp
Desi ghee – 1 tbsp
Water – 1 cup

Spices According To Taste:

Turmeric powder
Chilli powder
Dhania powder
Salt
Garam masala
Clove powder

Steps To Make Khoya Matar Makhana Recipe At Home

Roast makhana seeds in ghee. Once roasted, keep them in a plate
Saute onions in the same ghee till they change color to golden brown
Add ginger garlic paste and saute for 1 minute before adding tomato puree in the pan
Add all the spices (according to taste) in the pan and mix all the ingredients well. Cook for 2-3 minutes till the mixture starts thickening
Add khoya in the pan and saute for 2 minutes
Add water to make curry. Let it cook for 5 minutes
Add soft boiled matar and roasted makhana in the pan and cook in sim flame for 4-5 minutes
You can use finely chopped fresh coriander leaves to garnish your makhana dinner recipe

Also read, Turmeric And Curcumin What Are Their Pros And Cons?

3. Healthy Aloo Makhana Recipe For Snacking

This is one of the best roasted makhana recipes that you can use as a healthy evening snack.

Ingredients Required:

Boiled potatoes (aloo) – 1 cup
Makhana seeds – 1 ? cup
Ghee – 1 tbsp
Chopped green chili – ? tsp

Spices As Per Taste:

Salt
Red chili powder
Jeera powder

Steps To Make Crunchy Aloo And Roasted Makhana Recipe

Heat a pan and roast makhana seeds till they change color. Do not burn them
Add ghee in the same pan after removing the roasted makhana seeds
Add boiled chopped potatoes in the pan and saute for 1 minute
Add all the spices and chopped green chili in the pan and mix well with potatoes
Once the potatoes change color and become crunchy (it should ideally take 8-10 minutes), add roasted makhana seeds in it
Mix well and garnish with coriander leaves

4. Roasted Makhana Munchies For Tea-Time Snacking

Having makhana snacks instead of chips is a good lifestyle change that will keep you healthy. And instead of buying makhana snacks from the market, you can follow the makhana recipe we have listed below.

Ingredients Required:

Makhana seeds – 1 cup
Cooking oil (preferably olive oil) – 1 tsp
Salt and pepper according to taste

Steps To Make Roasted Makhana Munchies

Heat olive oil in a pan and add makhana seeds in it once the oil gets warm
Turn the flame to sim and roast makhana in it for 10 minutes
You can check the crunch physically
Once crunchy, add salt and black pepper in the pan and mix well
Let the roasted makhana munchies cool down and enjoy

4 Surprising Makhana Side-Effects

Whilst it’s only makhana benefits that people are interested in, it is still necessary to learn about makhana side-effects too. Mostly safe, excessive consumption of makhana can still activate the following health concerns.

Diarrheat is one of the most common makhana side-effects that you should watch out for. Consult a doctor if the condition persists for more than 1 day
Roasted makhana is not recommended during cough and flu. Also, you must seek your doctor’s consent if you are someone with a low immunity naturally
Makhana can reduce blood glucose level in people on a high insulin dose. Which is why, if diabetic, you should eat makhana only if deemed safe by your doctor
It is advised to get tested for makhana consumption if you have a nut allergy

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Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a list of frequently asked questions about makhana benefits and makhana recipes that you might find helpful.

Question 1: How is makhana produced?

Answer 1: Makhana is produced with makhana plant that is cultivated and harvested in the stagnated water all across eastern Asia. Makhana seeds, however, have to be processed to make them fit for human consumption. Processed makhana seeds are white in color and you can easily find them in any grocery store.

Question 2: How much makhana to eat in a day?

Answer 2: Undoubtedly, makhana snacks are delicious. But like everything else, there’s a consumption limit beyond which makhana is harmful. 2 handfuls of makhana is considered enough for 1 day. However, be extra careful when pregnant or lactating.

Question 3: Is makhana safe in pregnancy?

Answer 3: The one question that most women ask is – Is makhana safe during pregnancy? And the answer is yes. Since makhana can increase hemoglobin level, it is found to be very useful during pregnancy. However, you should check with your doctor if you’re in the right condition and the right candidate to eat makhana during pregnancy.

To conclude, Makhana Benefits are abundant and this dry fruit can help in improving your mental condition too – since it relaxes the mind and induces sleep. If you have any further queries about the benefits and correct dose for makhana consumption, do let us know by leaving a note in the comment section.