Know Custard apple benefits, And Why It Is considered A Super Fruit?

We are pretty sure that you might have heard of fruits like mango, apple, banana, strawberry, melon, pear and its long list of benefits. But have you ever heard of a lesser-known fruit called custard apple? Custard apple or sugar apple goes by the name “Sharifa” or “sitafal” in Hindi, “aata” in Bengali and “Pudding Apfel” in German. Custard apple is a sweet and fragrant fruit of the Annona reticulata tree. It belongs to the group of small deciduous trees/shrubs or herbal plants of the Annonaceae plant family. The size and shape of this fruit vary. Some of them are in the shape of a heart or are spherical, oblong -basically irregular. And the fruit size varies from 7 to 12 cm, depending on the variety cultivated. When the fruit gets ripened, its colour turns brown or yellowish, with red borders. Though the fruit isn’t that commonly known to the people but, the list of health benefits of custard apple isn’t that unknown, anymore. All thanks to the botanists and the researchers! There have been immense proven benefits of eating custard apple in various dishes and desserts. The beneficial nutrients in custard apple help us to fight against various deadly diseases and even offers protection against some of them. The custard apple vitamins like A and C, other than nutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, potassium, magnesium and copper. Over this blog, we will share some of the unknown custard apple benefits, that you probably didn’t know of.

1. Ultimate Mood Booster

One of the known Sharifa fruit benefits is that it tends to boost our mood as it is an excellent source of vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 is responsible for creating happy hormones like serotonin and dopamine, which are what boosts mood eventually.

2. High on Antioxidants

Custard apples are rich in antioxidants, helping our body fight with the free radicals. As high levels of free radicals can give rise to many chronic illnesses such as heart diseases and cancer, antioxidants present in this fruit help us battle against them. Beneficial compounds like kaurenoic acid, flavonoids, carotenoids, and vitamin C are present in this fruit, so it seems to have high antioxidant effects.

3. Improves Eye Health

The presence of carotenoid antioxidant lutein in custard apple makes it a great source of improving eye health in us, humans. It has been seen to be proven to be beneficial in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It also helps in the treatment of cataracts.

4. Solves High Blood Pressure Issues

Potassium and magnesium in custard apple help to regulate high blood pressure issues. Both of these compounds are responsible for the dilation of blood vessels, which in turn helps to lower the blood pressure.

5. Promotes Good Digestion

Surprisingly, custard apple is said to provide almost 5 grams of dietary fibre which makes it to over 17% of the RDI. As fibre in this fruit cannot be digested, it aids in the digestion of other food, improving the bowel system and promoting good digestion in us humans.

6. Has AntiCancer Properties

Custard apples helps us to fight deadly disease like cancer. As custard apple is a rich source of flavonoids, including catechin, epicatechin, and epigallocatechin, it is said to stop cancer cells growth.

7. Has Anti Inflammatory Properties

Chronic inflammation associated with diseases like heart disease and cancer can be treated very well by the consumption of custard apple. Custard apple is rich in anti-inflammatory compounds, including kaurenoic acid, which acts as a cure to the inflammation.

8. Boosts Immunity

If falling prey into every disease that ends uprising, now and then has become your thing, then work on our immunity by having custard apples. Custard apples are a rich source of vitamin C which works on improving our immune system.

So, these were some of the sitafal benefits, making this fruit - your favourite one till date. Uses of custard apple are many; the choice lies in your hands to make the most of its health benefits by incorporating it in your salad, main course or dessert item. We bet, now you know why custard apple is a miracle fruit or a super fruit.