Learn about its nutritional value, various uses, and potential side effects in this comprehensive guide.
What are the benefits of Custard Apple?
Introduction
Do you recall having the creamy richness of a custard apple in your childhood days? This scrumptious tropical fruit, known as Sitaphal in India, has more to give than a single taste. It is also packed with an overload of health benefits that surpass it as a dessert companion. This extensive guide is dedicated to bringing out the custard apple benefits, its overload of nutritional value, various uses, and possible side effects.
Nutritional Value Of Custard Apple
Custard apples are full of nutrients that help us become healthy. Every serving contains an amazing list of vitamins and minerals needed for the proper running of our body.
Let's go through the nutritional value of custard apple in detail:
- Vitamins: Custard apples are full of Vitamin C that triggers immunity and Vitamin B6 that assists in the synthesis of neurotransmitters.
- Antioxidants: Chock-full of carotenoids, flavonoids, and vitamin C, custard apples are rich in antioxidant properties.
- Minerals: Custard apples contain magnesium and potassium that maintain blood pressure.
- Fibres: Custard apples contain dietary fibre in high content supporting healthy digestion.
All these ingredients make custard apple nutritional value top-notch, and it becomes an effective health companion.
Properties of Custard Apple
Custard apples benefits are numerous, and they are one of the most nutritional counterparts to include in your diet.
- Rich in antioxidants: The antioxidants in custard apples combat free radicals, lowering oxidative stress.
- Rich in fibre: Custard apple contains a high fiber content which aids digestion and nourishes the good bacteria in your gut.
- Abundant in vitamin B6: Custard apple's vitamin B6 is necessary for the formation of neurotransmitters which aid in mood regulation.
- Packed with carotenoids: Custard apple is beneficial for the eyes because it is packed with lutein, a carotenoid antioxidant.
All these attributes make custard apples a highly beneficial addition to our diet.
Benefits Of Custard Apple (Sitaphal)
Custard apple not only tickles the taste buds but is also a treasure trove of healthy nutrients. Let us talk about the wonderful custard apple benefits and how it can find a place in your eating routine.
Packed with Energy
Custard apple is a perfect energy food, rich in carbohydrates. Eating it gives a quick energy boost due to its high carb content. It is a great snack for athletes or individuals who require a boost of energy at any moment of the day. Custard apple contains natural sugars that release energy gradually, making you active and alert.
Controls Diabetes
While custard apple is sweet, it can prove to be helpful for diabetic patients. Since its glycemic index is low, the sugar is slowly released into the body's bloodstream, thus preventing the latter's sudden increases in blood sugar level. Besides this, the fibre content causes the glucose to be absorbed later, making the blood sugar more stable.
Remedies Skin Infections
The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of custard apple make it effective in managing a range of skin infections. Application of custard apple pulp to the affected area may help calm irritated skin, bring down inflammation, and induce healing. It is especially beneficial in the management of acne, boils, and other bacterial skin infections.
Improves Heart Function
Custard apple is also high in potassium and magnesium, two minerals essential for cardiovascular health. Potassium regulates blood pressure by controlling sodium levels, and magnesium maintains a normal heart rhythm and also prevents arrhythmias. Daily consumption of custard apples will lead to good cardiovascular health.
Reduces Risk of Cancer
Custard apple is full of antioxidants such as flavonoids that serve to counteract the cell-damaging free radicals in the body. Since these free radicals promote oxidative stress, which causes damage to cells and increases cancer risk. Through combating oxidative stress, custard apple eradicates the possibility of getting any kind of cancer.
Good For Eye Health
Custard apple's vitamin A and vitamin C are required for good vision. Vitamin A enhances the vision and prevents age-related macular degeneration, and vitamin C safeguards the eyes against oxidative stress. Custard apples may prevent eye diseases and promote healthy vision.
Enhances Brain Function and Activity
The elevated B vitamin content in custard apples, especially vitamin B6, is essential for brain functioning. Vitamin B6 plays a role in the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine that regulate mood and mental functioning. Eating custard apples can increase brain functioning, mood, and prevention of neurological disorders.
Induces Good Digestion
Custard apples contain high dietary fiber, which helps in the maintenance of bowel movement, preventing constipation, and enhances the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. This subsequently enhances improved nutrient absorption and healthy digestion.
Boost Immunity
The rich vitamin C content in custard apple fortifies the immune system by raising white blood cell counts, which is quite crucial in eliminating infections. Daily consumption of the fruits can decrease the occurrence and severity of typical diseases like flu and cold.
Boosts Bone Strength
Custard apples contain calcium and magnesium, both important for ensuring bone health. Calcium is crucial in ensuring bone density and strength, whereas magnesium facilitates the absorption of calcium. Having custard apple in your diet can ensure the prevention of osteoporosis as well as ensure healthy bones.
Reduces Oxidative Stress
The antioxidants in custard apple, including vitamin C, flavonoids, and polyphenols, contribute to the alleviation of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a causative factor in chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Custard apples suppress these diseases by scavenging free radicals.
Aids in Wound Healing
The advantages of custard apples also consist of medicinal uses. Rich in vitamin C, a good stimulus causes the production of collagen, which is necessary to heal wounds. Furthermore, the antibacterial property of the fruit prevents the wound from becoming infected, thereby resulting in faster and safer healing.
How To Use Custard Apple?
It is extremely easy and simple to add custard apple to your diet,
Here's are some tips to relish the benefits of custard apple:
- Add it to your fruit salads to taste the tropics.
- Use it as a dessert by chilling the fruit and scooping out the pulp.
- Puree it and add to smoothies or mix into yogurt for a health snack.
- Discard the seeds before consumption as they contain annonacin, a compound which is reported to possess neurotoxic properties if consumed in large quantities.
Side Effects Of Custard Apple
Even though the advantages of custard apple are many, one must be well aware of possible custard apple side effects as well.
- Its overindulgence may cause gastrointestinal upset such as diarrhea because of its high fibre content.
- Seeds and peel have annonacin, a toxin that has been associated with neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, their removal before eating is an absolute requirement.
- Individuals allergic to certain fruits may also develop an allergy towards custard apples.
- In case you have a nervous system or are at risk, consult with medical care professionals prior to including custard apple in your diet.
- Moderation is the solution to the consumption of its advantages without taking possible custard apple side effects.
Conclusion
Custard apple's nutritional composition renders it the perfect complement to a healthy, balanced diet. Always, nonetheless, consume it carefully, side effects risk considered.
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FAQS
Q. What is the other name of Custard Apple?
The custard apple is also known as “sitaphal”.
Q. What are the nutrients present in custard apples?
Fibres, minerals, antioxidants, and B6 are present in good amounts.
Q. What are the deficiency tests you can book at Ganesh Diagnostics?
Here are many deficiency tests that are available at the best diagnostic centre, the Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre-
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