Nutrients, Benefits and Uses of Custard apple

2021-12-15 16:54:39

Custard apple, also known as custard fruit, is a special type of fruit which is widely famous for its unique shape and taste. Custard fruit is rough and heart shaped from above. Its outer layer is slightly thick but its inner part is white creamy, granular and soft which is the edible part of the fruit. This portion of custard apple is very sweet and tasty.

Custard apple is such a fruit, which apart from its appearance and taste, is also known for ensuring health and curing many types of diseases. According to Ayurveda, custard apple is used to treat many diseases which include increasing blood volume, curing phlegm defects, toothache, and vomiting. Custard apple is commonly known as Sitaphal in hindi.

What is a Custard apple?

Custard apple is a delicious fruit, which is covered with greenish rough skin on the outside and is fleshy on the inside. The seeds coming out of it are smooth, shiny and brown-black in color. Custard apple is the fruit of the winter season which has a cold effect. Its scientific name is Annona squamosa but at some places it is also called sugar apple.

Nutrients in Custard apple

Custard apples contain all the nutrients which are considered necessary and beneficial for health. Nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, fats, calories, iron, folate, fiber, ascorbic acid, carotene, riboflavin, niacin vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, thiamine, vitamin-B6 are found in them.

Benefits of Custard apple

For Digestion-

The digestive process of the body can be improved by regular consumption of custard apples because fiber is abundant in it which improves the digestion of the body and works to relieve people from the problem of constipation.

For healthy weight-

The main reason for the constant weight loss is the lack of sufficient energy in the body. Since custard apple is considered a fruit with a better energy source, it can aid in weight gain. Therefore, custard apples are a good option for healthy body weight.

For blood pressure-

Custard apples contain both calcium and magnesium which works to maintain a healthy blood pressure of the body. Therefore, people suffering from high blood pressure should consume custard apples. By doing this, the risk of heart disease and stroke due to high blood pressure can also be reduced.

To cholesterol-

Unnecessary increase in cholesterol in the body can prove to be dangerous for health. Therefore, it is important to keep the cholesterol levels in the body balanced. Consumption of custard apple can prove to be an excellent remedy for this due to the presence of niacin vitamin in it which works to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and heart attack by balancing the cholesterol level in the body.

For diabetes-

Custard apple has anti-diabetic properties which helps to improve blood glucose levels in the body and reduce the risks associated with diabetes. Therefore, in diabetes, it is good to consume the custard apple.

For heart attack-

Vitamin-B6 intake, according to medical research, works to reduce the risk of heart disease. Since custard apples contain vitamin-B6 in abundance, it can be used to prevent the risk of heart attack.

For Asthma-

Asthma is a lung disease which is caused by inflammation in the lungs. Since custard apple is a fruit with excellent anti-inflammatory properties which helps reduce the risks of asthma to a great extent, therefore, consumption of custard apple may prove useful for diseases like asthma.

For anemia-

During the time of anemia, there is a deficiency of iron in the body due to which red blood cells are not produced in the body. In such conditions, the patient is advised to take iron-rich foods. Since custard apple is considered a good source of iron, its consumption helps by producing red blood cells in the body to carry oxygen to various parts of the body.

Beneficial in pregnancy-

Consumption of custard apple is beneficial during pregnancy because it is a good source of iron and folate. These are considered essential nutrients during pregnancy. Folate and iron help in the development of the fetus, its spine and brain, at the same time, it also reduces the chances of malformations during birth in the baby. Therefore, consuming custard apples during pregnancy is good for health.

For healthy skin and hair-

Regular intake of custard apple works to improve the skin. Vitamin-C is present in high amounts in custard apples which protects the skin from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Apart from this, nutrients like magnesium, calcium and zinc are also present in custard apples which help in hair growth by reducing the problem of alopecia (hair loss).

Uses of Custard apple

• Custard apple is consumed as a fruit salad.
• Custard apple ice cream is made and eaten.
• It is also consumed in the form of milk shake.
• The seeds of custard apple are extracted from the pulp and consumed as a smoothie.

Side effects of Custard apple

• Since custard apples contain a high amount of iron, therefore, excessive intake can cause problems like nausea, vomiting and flatulence.
• Custard apples are rich in fiber, therefore, excessive intake of it can cause stomach problems like diarrhea, gas, intestinal tightness.
• People with allergic reactions to custard apples should avoid its consumption.
• When consuming custard apple, its seeds should be avoided, otherwise it can get stuck in the throat.