Water chestnut (Trapa natans L.) as a functional food: A source of dietary nutrition

An annual water plant with leaves that float, Water chestnut (Trapa natans L.) is found in rivers, lakes, ponds, freshwater wetlands, marshes, paddy fields and in temperate and tropical regions. Water chestnut is a type of hydrophytes, which produce starch, have the ability to function as a dependable food source. Minerals and important nutrients are abundant in it. Water chestnuts are native to a large number of islands in Southeast Asia, Southern China, Taiwan, Australia, Africa, and India. It provides numerous health benefits, including antibacterial traits, antidiabetic properties and inflammatory reduction properties. It is also abundant in vitamins and minerals with flavonoids, flavones, and total phenolic content, also water chestnut has a high antioxidant concentration. It is also a good source of calcium and iron. Hence, these components help to treat inflammation, tiredness, lumbago, sore throats, and biliary diseases. There can be many value added products formed such as adding other gluten-free flour to it which makes it more suited as a meal for people with celiac disease. Beside this it can be used in bakery, snacks and sweet industries. Hence, there is need for its processing and value addition so that dietary benefits can be availed by the consumers.