Cherimoya is a green, cone-shaped fruit with leathery skin and creamy, delicious flesh (Annona cherimola). It is said to have originated in South America’s Andes highlands, although it is now grown in tropical places with high elevations.
Due to its creamy texture, the cherimoya is often referred to as the custard apple. It’s often eaten with a spoon and served cold, much like custard. Cherimoya has a sweet flavor that is comparable to that of other tropical fruits like banana and pineapple.
This unusual fruit is nutritionally important as it contains a high amount of carbohydrates and is a rich source of diverse vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, thiamine, riboflavin, and folate may help to boost immunity, decrease inflammation, and enhance eye and heart health.
Health Benefits of Custard Apple
High Antioxidants
Cherimoya has a lot of antioxidants, which aid in the body’s defense against free radicals. High quantities of free radicals can lead to oxidative stress, which has been linked to a variety of chronic diseases, including cancer and heart disease. Kaurenoic acid, flavonoids, carotenoids, and vitamin C are some of the cherimoya components that have strong antioxidant capabilities.
According to one research, both the peel and pulp are high in antioxidants, with chemicals in the peel being more efficient in preventing oxidative damage.
Boost Your Mood
Cherimoya is a good source of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). In fact, one cup (160 grams) of the fruit contains 24% of the RDA (RDI). Vitamin B6 is required to produce neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which help control your mood. This vitamin deficiency may lead to mental problems. In fact, low vitamin B6 levels in the blood have been linked to depression, particularly in older adults. One study of older adults discovered that a lack of vitamin B6 doubled one’s chances of depression.
Improves Eye Health
Cherimoya is high in the carotenoid antioxidant lutein, which is one of the key antioxidants in your eyes and helps to keep your vision healthy by combating free radicals. Several studies link increased lutein consumption to good eye health and a decreased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a disorder characterized by eye damage and visual loss. Lutein may help protect against other eye problems, such as cataracts, a clouding of the eye that causes impaired vision and vision loss.
A meta-analysis of eight research found that those with the highest lutein levels in their blood had a 27% reduced chance of getting cataracts than those with the lowest levels.
Prevent High Blood Pressure
Magnesium and potassium, two nutrients that help control blood pressure, are abundant in cherimoya. Notably, 1 cup (160 grams) contains 10% of the RDI for potassium and more than 6% of the RDI for magnesium. One fruit contains 674 milligrams of potassium and 40 milligrams of magnesium. Potassium and magnesium both stimulate blood vessel dilatation, which lowers blood pressure. High blood pressure may raise your chances of developing heart disease or having a stroke.
When comparing persons with the highest magnesium intake to those with the lowest intake, another study discovered an inverse association between magnesium consumption and the risk of high blood pressure. Each additional 100 mg of magnesium consumed per day was related to a 5% decreased risk of high blood pressure. Cherimoya contains low sodium content. Such a composition of this fruit helps in the widening of the arteries, which in turn ensures smooth blood flow throughout the body. It balances out the negative effect of sodium and controls the amount of fluid stored in the body.
Besides this, potassium eases tension in the blood vessel walls, which further reduces high blood pressure.
Improve Digestion
One cup (160 grams) of cherimoya contains over 5 grams of dietary fiber, which accounts for more than 17% of the RDI. Fiber gives weight to stool and helps it pass through your intestines since it cannot be digested or absorbed. Furthermore, soluble fibers, such as those found in cherimoya, can feed the healthy bacteria in your stomach and ferment to form short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Butyrate, acetate, and propionate are examples of these acids.
SCFA are energy sources for your body and may protect against inflammatory digestive conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. A good snacking option. Please avoid juices as it loses fiber content.
References
- Banga, O., Petiet, J. and Van Bennekom, J. L. 1964. Genetical analysis of male sterility in carrots, Daucus carota L. Euphytica 13.
- De LC and Bhattacharjee SK. 2011. Handbook of Vegetable Crops. Pointer Publisher, Jaipur. Pp.
- Bannerot, H., Boulidard, L., Cauderon, Y. and Temp, J. 1974. Transfer of cytoplasmic male sterility from Raphanus sativus to Brassica oleraceae. In: Proc. Eucarpia Meet. Cruciferae, Scott. Hort. Res. Inst., Dundee. Pp.
