Custard apple also known as Sitafal or Sarifa in India is famous for its amazing taste and several health benefits. Custard apple is filled up with nutrients including vitamins and minerals that help us lead a healthy life and combat various diseases. Be it adults, children or old people, everyone loves custard apple because of its amazing taste. Various recipes like ice cream, custard and many others are also made by the combination of this fruit.
Custard apple can be relished from August to November in India. The fruit is hard from the outside but soft from the inside. The seeds of custard apple are generally black in color. Custard apple is sweet and refreshing in taste. We all know about custard apple but very few people know about the health benefits this fruit has to offer. So here are the several health benefits of custard apple along with its nutritional value.
Nutritional information of 100g custard apple
| Nutrition | Amount |
| Calories | 94Kcal |
| Total fat | 0.3g |
| Saturated fat | 0g |
| Protein | 2.1g |
| Dietary fiber | 4.4g |
| Carbohydrate | 24g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 9mg |
| Potassium | 247mg |
Along with this custard apple is also rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Calcium, Iron, Vitamin B6 and magnesium.
13 health benefits of custard apple
1. Great for improving vision
Custard apple is considered beneficial for improving your vision and eyesight. In fact, custard apple is considered a natural fruit that helps in improving vision. It is rich in Vitamin C, riboflavin and lutein which help in improving your vision. Moreover, the presence of Vitamin B2 along with riboflavin helps in removing free radicals and prevents the damaging of cells. In this fast-paced lifestyle where we are constantly busy with laptops and mobile phones, the benefits of custard apple will help us to improve our eyesight.
2. Prevents high blood pressure
Custard apple is packed up with the right combination of potassium and magnesium that prevents the development of high blood pressure.
3. Prevents diabetes
Custard apple is considered great for the prevention and cure of diabetes. If you already have diabetes then custard apple can help you recover from it. Custard apple has antihyperglycemic properties that prevent the increase of blood sugar levels in the body. Moreover, custard apple is a low glycemic index fruit that is actually good for diabetes.
4. Improves digestive system
Custard apple is rich in copper and fiber that help in improving your digestive system. Dietary fiber helps in the easy passage of stool and thus helps in preventing constipation. Moreover, magnesium present in custard apple helps in maintaining proper metabolism and also helps in making the saliva that helps in the breakdown of food into smaller parts.
5. May prevent cancer
Custard apple is also considered great for the prevention of cancer. It is rich in phytochemicals which act as an antioxidant and fight against free radicals in our body to prevent the development of cancer cells. It also contains phenolic compounds and flavonoids that further help in removing free radicals from the body.
6. Removes acne and pimples
Custard apple is considered good for your skin. Acne and pimples are generally caused by the deposition of bacteria on pores. Custard apple has antimicrobial properties that help in removing this bacteria from the pores and ultimately help in removing acne and pimples from your skin.
7. Keeps heart-related diseases away
Custard apple being rich in magnesium and potassium helps in relaxing heart muscles that ultimately reduces the risk of developing strokes and other cardiovascular diseases. The presence of niacin and fiber further helps in decreasing cholesterol levels.
8. Bone strengthening and wound healing properties
Custard apple is packed up with Vitamin K that helps in bone metabolism and prevents osteoporosis. Apart from this, the presence of phosphorous also helps in the strengthening of bones.
Vitamin K present in custard apple is also associated with clotting of blood. Moreover, the presence of Vitamin C and manganese helps in the quick healing of wounds.
9. Mood booster
Vitamin B6 present in custard apples is a mood uplifter. Vitamin B6 is responsible for boosting the production of serotonin and dopamine (two neurotransmitters that help in boosting your mood). Anxiety, stress and depression can be almost instantly cured by having this fruit.
10. Helps in weight gain
Custard apple is considered great for people who are trying to gain weight. A combination of honey and custard fruit regularly helps in increasing the calorie count of the body, which in turn ultimately helps in gaining weight quickly.
11. Great for your skin
Custard apple is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help in delaying the aging of the skin and make your skin look young and tender. Moreover, custard apple boosts collagen production, making you look younger and preventing wrinkles development before age. The correct combination of riboflavin, pyridoxine and niacin in custard apple further enhances your skin.
12. Prevents arthritis
A custard apple is filled with magnesium. We all know that magnesium helps in maintaining the water-electrolyte balance in the body. As a result, acids in joints that cause pain are removed. Consuming custard apples on a regular basis will definitely reduce the risks of developing arthritis.
13. Aids during pregnancy
Custard apple is considered a good fruit during pregnancy. Mood swings, morning sickness and nausea are quite common during pregnancy. Eating custard apple during this period will help you to get rid of these issues. Also, custard apple is high in fiber which helps in preventing constipation during pregnancy. Consuming custard apples during pregnancy also helps in reducing the risk of labor pain. This fruit also improves lactation in pregnant women.
Side effects of eating custard apple
There are not many proven side effects of custard apple but on rare occasions, some side effects can be witnessed.
- If you are under any sort of serious medication, always consult your doctor before introducing any food into your regular diet.
- If you are trying to lose weight, it is never recommended to consume custard apple as it helps in gaining weight. Concentrate on low carb fruits and intense workouts to achieve weight loss goals.
- Sometimes eating too many custard apples a day leads to bloating and the formation of gas.
- Custard apple lowers blood pressure because of the presence of high amounts of iron and potassium. Under such conditions, if your blood pressure is already low, do not consume custard apple as it will lower your blood pressure further which leads to dizziness and fatigue.
Conclusion
Custard apple may not be as popular as many other fruits in India, as many people are not completely aware of its several health benefits. People know custard apple as seasonal fruit and love its taste. So you should definitely give this fruit a try if you have not consumed this yet.
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