We all have heard about bael fruit, especially in India. It is a hard green-colored type of fruit mostly famous in West Bengal and parts of South India. Bael fruit can be eaten or drunk as a juice, especially during the summer months. It’s scientific name is Aegle marmelos. This bael fruit is actually full of nutrients and is considered way more nutritious than most other fruits that we generally eat on a regular basis.
Bael fruit when not ripe is generally green in color (the inside part) but once ripe it becomes yellowish in color. As a result, bael juice is generally yellowish in color.
Today in this article we will be looking at the various health benefits of bael fruit that are actually proven. So, let’s begin.
Table of Contents
Nutritional Information of bael fruit
100gm of Bael fruit consists of the following nutritional values.
Nutrients | Amount |
Energy | 137Kcal |
Water | 61% |
Carbohydrate | 33g |
Fat | .3g |
Protein | 1.8g |
Fiber | 2.9g |
Calcium | 85mg |
Phosphorous | 50mg |
Vitamin C | 8mg |
Potassium | 600mg |
Apart from this bael fruit is filled up with various antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
13 health benefits of bael fruit
1. Keeps you hydrated during the summer months
The biggest advantage of consuming bael fruit is that it provides hydration during the summer months. Be it bael fruit or juice, both equally promote hydration and keep your body internally moisturized and hydrated.
2. Provides energy
100g of Bael fruit consists of 137 calories of energy which is considered great. As a summer fruit, bael not only keeps you hydrated but at the same time provides you ample energy so that you do not get drenched down by the scorching heat of the sun. The presence of a high amount of minerals and calories serves this cause and supplies enough energy to keep you energetic throughout the day.
3. Regulates blood pressure
Bael is considered great for people who have high blood pressure. The high amount of potassium present in bael fruit checks regulates your blood pressure and helps in lowering high blood pressure problems.
4. Strengthens bone and teeth
Bael is considered great for strengthening your bones and teeth. Bael is even considered great for the treatment of osteoporosis. This is because bael fruit is highly rich in calcium and we all know how calcium plays a major role in strengthening bones and teeth.
5. Treatment of ulcer and helps in digestion
People with acidity problems or have peptic ulcers can actually benefit from bael fruit. Bael fruit is rich in glycoprotein which helps in neutralizing acidity along with treating constipation and mouth ulcers. Tannins present in bael also help in reducing inflammation. Bael fruit and its juice help in the treatment of various digestive problems. Bael fruit also contains fiber and possesses laxative properties that help in the treatment of constipation as well.
6. Boosts immunity
Bael fruit possesses anti-bacterial properties and tannins that help in the treatment of diarrhea. If your immune system is not that strong you should definitely consume bael fruit which will help you to develop immunity from diseases caused by bacteria. Also, bael fruit is rich in Vitamin C which further helps in boosting immunity power.
7. Prevents heart diseases
Bael fruit being rich in antioxidants helps in preventing the development of high cholesterol levels ultimately helping in preventing heart-related diseases that are caused by high cholesterol levels.
8. Remedy for diabetes
Bael tree contains a gum known as Feronia gum that possesses the power to reduce blood glucose levels. Ayurveda also accepts the fact that bael juice actually helps in controlling diabetes by stimulating the pancreas and increasing the insulin production rate. Also, the glycemic index of bael fruit falls under the 55 range and can be considered a diabetes-friendly fruit.
9. Helps in purifying blood
Bael juice from bael fruit acts as a detoxifying agent and protects your kidney and liver from getting damaged. Being rich in various minerals and antioxidants, bael helps in clearing toxins from your body.
10. Helps in the prevention of cancer
There are various studies regarding bael that suggest that bael is actually considered great for preventing cancer. Being extensively rich in antioxidants free radicals are removed from the body which ultimately helps in preventing you from the risks of developing cancer. Bael fruit is highly efficient in preventing breast cancer.
11. Cure for scurvy and other skin problems
Bael fruit and juice is packed up with Vitamin C. Vitamin C is highly necessary for the body for the treatment of scurvy. The symptoms of scurvy which includes weakness and joint pain can be treated by the consumption of Bael. This fruit is also considered great for people who are Vitamin C deficient. Moreover, bael having anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties help in preventing rashes and allergies on your skin.
12. Improves lactation
Though bael fruit is not considered great for pregnant moms but bael or any of its formulations, when consumed on a regular basis, aid in the creation of prolactin and corticoids, which induce galactagogue activity and so aids in the improvement of lactation and the quality of breast milk. This is incredibly advantageous to the children since breast milk is great for their feeding and aids in the building of their immune systems. But it is always recommended to consult your doctor before introducing any fruit in your diet especially if you are pregnant or a lactating mom.
13. Provides nourishment to hair
Ayurveda mentions bael as a great fruit that provides nourishment to your hair. Bael when consumed on a regular basis protects your hair from dandruff and folliculitis as it has anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties. Along with this, it also strengthens your hair from the root and provides further nutrition your hair needs. Moreover, various studies prove that bael prevents hair fall by normalizing the secretion of cortisol.
How to eat bael fruit?
Bael fruit can be consumed raw just by removing the hard outer part. In India, the most popular form of consuming bael fruit is by making its juice. You just need to remove the hard shell, take out the pulp and then extract out the juice from it. Bael achar, bael powder and bael jams are also popular in India.
So here are the various health benefits of bael fruit that are scientifically proven. So don’t forget to add bael fruit to your diet especially when the summer season is coming up.
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