Use of tamarind juice as a part of our meal helps

The correct answer is Option 2: to take care of excess fluoride in drinking water.

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) plays a crucial role in mitigating fluorosis, a condition caused by high fluoride levels in drinking water. Scientific studies have demonstrated that tamarind intake increases the urinary excretion of fluoride, thereby reducing its retention in the body and protecting against skeletal and dental fluorosis. The organic acids (like tartaric acid) and minerals in tamarind juice act as natural de-fluoridating agents by facilitating the removal of fluoride ions through the renal system.

• Option 1: While tamarind has antimicrobial properties, its acidic nature can actually erode tooth enamel if consumed in excess, making it unlikely to be a primary preventive for decay.
• Option 3: Although tamarind aids digestion, its specific biochemical significance in public health contexts, especially in regions with hard water, is its anti-fluoride property.
• Option 4: Excess fluoride weakens bones; by removing fluoride, tamarind indirectly protects bone health, but its direct function is the management of fluoride toxicity.