- Let’s Tell You Its Amazing Health Benefits
To God be the glory, great and mighty things he has done. It’s a beautiful week. Thank God for His unending mercies and grace over our lives.
Welcome to your general health and well-being column.. HEALTH- CHECK with Oluwabukunolami..
This week, we shall be discussing a well known fruit called African star eyed apple or African Cherry ….
It is that season again, that time of the year. The famous orange glossy fruits are out again.
Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, I remember we always eat the seasonal fruit so much as kids and we used its seeds to play and calculate without knowing its health benefits.
Known to the Yorubas as Agbalumo, to the Igbos as Udara, and to the Hausas as Ciwoh, this amazing fruit African Star Apple has many benefits that would amaze you when compared to its size.
Agbalumo is mostly cultivated in the rural areas of the country and fully in season from january to april. Naturally, its advisable to let the fruit fall to the ground before harvesting but it is common practise for people to pluck it from the tree even when it has not ripened fully.
This is one of the major reasons for its sour taste and slapping sensation when it is consumed. However when the fully ripe agbalumo is consumed, it is sweet, lush and sensitises the taste buds of the eater. To crown it up, it is highly nutritious.
AGBALUMO IS HIGH IN VITAMIN C CONTENT.
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. Unlike most mammals and other animals, humans do not have the ability to make ascorbic acid and must obtain vitamin C from their diet. Agbalumo presents a good source for vitamin C , 100g gram gives 25mg of vitamin C.
Agbalumo is a natural remedy for toothache, constipation, sore throat, and much more.
Also the bark of the tree according to research was used traditionally to treat yellow fever and malaria, while the leaf treated wounds, stomach ache, and diarrhea.
In some parts of Nigeria the seeds are used to treat vaginal and skin infections.
*PREVENTS HEART DISEASE
Frequent consumption of the fruit can help lower blood sugar and cholesterol thereby preventing or managing heart diseases,it is a very good recommendation for patients with heart problems.
However as with all fruits and food, moderation is key. Do not consume Agbalumo excessively because it lead to heartburn.
*NATURAL ANTI-OXIDANT:
Antioxidants are substances that may protect your cells against the effects of free radicals — molecules produced when your body breaks down food or is exposed to tobacco smoke and radiation.
What this means is that by consumption of agbalumo you give your body a better chance of fighting and avoiding heart disease, cancer and some other diseases .
*LOW CALORIE FRUIT:
A serving of agbalumo contains just 67 calories. This fruit is very good for those who want to loose weight because you consume more and get less calories intake.
It is also a good snacking fruit which can be used to stop hunger pangs.
Its parts the leaves, roots and barks have also been said to be used in times past in preparing traditiona herbs to treat cough, yellow fever and high blood pressure.
* Agbalumo contains fibre which helps in reducing your appetite and prevents you from eating too much. This fruit provides 3g of the recommended 25 to 38g daily intake of fibre needed by the body.
It helps in lowering blood sugar and cholesterol. Its seeds are useful in treating diarrhea
Other uses of this fruit include treatment for hypertension, intestinal issues and cancer.
This is the season of this wonderful fruit. Try as much as possible to take an adequate amount of this fruit to obtain its maximum benefit.
AGBALUMO SERVES AS A GOOD SOURCE OF CALCIUM
The calcium content in one agbalumo fruit is about 10 percent the amount you need in a day and calcium serves as a source of strength for the bones and teeth.
*It is also a very good source of Vitamin A and C. A single agbalumo fruit provides about 5 percent of the daily recommended value of these vitamins in the body. This helps to prevent gum diseases such as scurvy and also helps fight other diseases in the body.
According to the locals, this amazing fruit can be used as a natural remedy to treat sore throat, toothaches, and constipation.
This is where we would be stopping this week.
As we say good bye, remember it’s still early in the new year so why not make a resolution to stay healthy through, lifestyle changes, healthy living and eating . Engage in exercises and don’t forget, discipline is the watch-word for a healthy life.
Stay away from junk food, practice lifestyle changes, eat healthy, take lots of fruits, fibre, nuts and water while also ensuring that you sleep well. Till I come your way again next week…
I remain yours in good health, Oluwabukunolami.
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