Gifts of nature are an inexhaustible treasure trove, and one of them is the custard apple or sitaphal or sharifa, and which is a sweet promise of food and health. Its smooth, juicy and covetous taste and aroma not only make it an excellent fruit to consume, but it is also a nutrient powerhouse that provides a lot of health benefits. It may be a plain looking green heart-shaped fruit, but it has an inside treasure chest of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants capable of making your health transform in a natural way.
We shall also rediscover the best 10 extraordinary natural health advantages of custard apple and the reasons why it is possibly one of the tastiest things to add to your daily food regimen.
1. Fortifies the Immunity in a natural way
Custard apple is full of vitamin C, which is a potent antioxidant and boasts of the immune system in addition to assisting your body to fight against infections, bacteria and viruses. Frequent use is improved to boost your natural defense system to prevent common diseases such as cold and cough.
Its antioxidants also assist to counter the free radicals or unstable molecules able to destroy the cells hence lessening the chances of chronic illnesses and decelerating the aging process. An early morning bowl of custard apple is actually a natural form of immuno booster.
2. Promotes Healthy Digestion
Custard apples can be your tasty digestive friend in case you always experience indigestion, constipation or bloating. Dietary fiber of this fruit is more beneficial in ensuring that the bowel moves regularly and that the digestive system is able to run smoothly.
It aids in the removal of toxins in the intestines and also improves intestinal absorption of nutrients. The constipation, which is a common phenomenon in the busy lifestyle today, is also prevented by the natural fiber in custard apple and is also beneficial to ensure a clean and healthy gut.
3. Enhances Heart Health
The heart of a good man beats with happiness, and custard apple is the notes to increase the rhythm. It also has magnesium and potassium which combine together to control blood pressure and maintain adequate sodium concentration in the body.
These minerals assist the relaxation of heart muscles, enhance the circulation of blood and prevent such diseases as hypertension and stroke. Custard apple antioxidants also lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise the good cholesterol (HDL), which is more beneficial to the general heart health.
4. Keeps the Skin and Hair Healthy
Your inner health is usually reflected in the glow of your skin and custard apple aids in making you shine internally as well. Vitamin A and vitamin C contained in the fruit are very essential in keeping the skin and hair healthy.
Vitamin C promotes the production of collagen that makes the skin firm, smooth, and younger. Vitamin A not only keeps the skin dry, but also gives it a natural luster. Free radicals that cause wrinkles, acne and pigmentation are also counteracted by antioxidants of custard apples.
On your hair, the nutrients feed the follicles, make roots strong and scalp dryness is prevented resulting in soft and shiny and lustrous hair.
5. Boosts Brain Power
Your brain delights in some nutrients that enhance concentration and alertness and custard apple is a rich source of these nutrients. It is a source of vitamin B 6 (pyridoxine), which assists in the production of neurotransmitters such as the chemicals that control mood, reduce stress, and prevent depression such as serotonin and dopamine.
Frequent intake could improve the memory, concentration, and overall thinking processes. Besides, magnesium in custard apple also enhances nerve activity thus ensuring that you remain calm and mentally stable even when faced with stress.
6. Aids in Weight Management
Custard apple may seem sweet and creamy, but it can be included in a healthy weight management programme as well. Its natural sugars also give you a burst of energy without raising your blood sugar level so high, and the fiber content leaves you feeling fuller longer, which is why you do not feel the need to snack so much.
It can be used to keep a balanced diet by keeping the pangs of hunger at bay. Moderation is an important thing, though- when you consume this fruit, you need to do so in reasonable amounts- that will enable you to enjoy the fruit without overeating on the calories.
7. Keeps Bones Strong
To build higher bones and muscles, custard apple is also a good source of natural magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus which are the minerals of the body that are helpful in maintaining the bone. These are nutrients useful in bone density maintenance, prevention of osteoporosis, and enhancement of joint flexibility.
Magnesium in custard apples also counteracts the level of calcium in the body such that surplus calcium is not deposited in the bloodstream which may cause heart diseases. This fruit helps in maintaining a healthy skeletal structure among growing children, adults, as well as the aged.
8. Maintains Blood Sugar Level
Although sweet, custard apples can help individuals who deal with diabetes, at moderation. Its natural fiber reduces the rate at which the sugar is absorbed in the intestines and thus, avoids abrupt surges in the blood sugar levels.
Insulin sensitivity is enhanced by the existence of antioxidants and polyphenolic compounds that enable the body to effectively use glucose. It is a healthier version of processed sugary snacks and there is no need to feel guilty about your desire to have something sweet.
9. Improves Eye Health
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The custard apple is a good source of vitamin A and Riboflavin that are vital in ensuring that the vision is clear and healthy. These are useful nutrients that prevent the eyes against dryness, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
Regular intake can lower the chances of macular degeneration and night blindness, and as you age your eyesight will remain acute. The antioxidants also assist in countering the free radicals that destroy the fragile eye tissues, thus custard apple is a fruit that would benefit visual health in the long-run.
10. Lessens Stress and Enhances Emotional Wellbeing
Mental tranquility is as vital in the modern world as the wellbeing of the body. Custard apple is used as a natural relaxant agent as it contains a lot of vitamin B6 that is used to regulate mood swings and anxiety as it regulates the levels of serotonin in the brain.
Magnesium found in it also relaxes the muscles and nerves and decreases the fatigue and tension. A custard apple can literally cheer you in case you have a long day and it makes you feel as relaxed.
Bonus Benefit: Benefits in Times of Pregnancy.
Custard apple is a nutritious fruit to pregnant women. It offers nutrients such as folate, iron and calcium which are important to the development of the fetus and prevents neural tube defects.
It also controls morning sickness, enhances digestion and gives constant energy during pregnancy and is popular amongst most pregnant mothers.
Nutritional Profile at a Glance
Nutrient /100g of Custard Apple
Calories 94 kcal
Carbohydrates 23.6 g
Fiber 4.4 g
Vitamin C 20 mg
Potassium 247 mg
Magnesium 17 mg
Calcium 24 mg
Vitamin B6 0.2 mg
These values demonstrate that custard apple really deserves its recognition as a natural source of energy fruit, which feeds the body in a head-to-toe fashion.
Conclusion
A custard apple is not just a fruit, it is a natural medicine which takes the form of a dessert. Enhancement of immunity and digestion, as well as, heart, brain, and skin health are some of the holistic benefits of it as it helps the body and the mind. Its sweetness is creamy and very easy to like, and its nutrient richness is impossible to neglect.
Adding custard apple to your daily food habit, either as a fresh fruit or a puree in smoothies or in salads, is a simple but effective measure to better health. Moderation is however necessary to balance its natural sugars like all good things.
Actually, the mysteries of the custard apple are not only in the delicious taste but also in the silent magic it casts inside your body, a fruit that makes your health sweet, a bite at a time.