Custard apple fruit has a non-edible hard green exterior and a sweet fleshy inside with scattered seeds. This tropical fruit that is widely available worldwide is rich in antioxidants and minerals like calcium and potassium, high in calories but with a moderate glycemic index.
Nutrition facts per 100g of custard apple:
- Water: 75 g
- Calories: 100
- Fat: 0.6 g
- Protein: 1 to 4.3 g
- Iron: 0.7 mg
- Calcium: 20 mg
- Sugar: 15 g
- Dietary fiber: 3.5 g
- Carbohydrate: 23.71 g
Moreover, its leaves are also equally nutritious and are used for medicinal purposes due to their quick healing capability. They can be dried and steeped in boiling water to produce tea for internal or topical use. Moreover, the leaves can also be heated or pounded and directly applied to problems areas.
Health Benefits We Can Get From Custard Apples
Helps Boost Immunity
Being rich in vitamin C, custard apple can help boost our immunity. In addition to this, it also has anti-inflammatory effects and can help against autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
Helps Treat Fever
One of the most important home caring tasks that need to be performed each time fever is bugging us or our loved one is lowering the body temperature. Do this by steeping 3 to 4 dried custard apple leaves in a cup of boiling water for several minutes, and then drink it.
Helps Regulate Sugar Levels In The Body
The leaves of custard apple are loaded with fibers, which can help slow down the absorption of sugar in our body. Fiber does not cause sudden spikes in your blood sugar levels and at the same time, it keeps our digestive system working well. To reap this benefit, simply make a tea by boiling 2-3 leaves. Consume every morning.
Help Make The Heart Healthier
Custard apples can help control blood pressure fluctuations in the body due to its fine balance of sodium and potassium. Additionally, it also has niacin and fiber that prevents the absorption of cholesterol by the body as well as high amounts of magnesium that helps relax the muscles of the heart to prevent heart attacks.
Has Anti-Cancer Properties
Found in its fruits and leaves are cancer-preventing antioxidants and compounds like alkaloids and acetogenin which are very good at lowering one’s risk of cancer. They act against cancer cells without affecting the healthy cells.
To benefit from the cancer-fighting abilities of custard apple we can consume it in tea form or eat the fruit.
Helps Speed Up Wound Healing
The juice extracted from the leaves has potent anti-inflammatory properties and a soothing effect thus making it an effective wound healer.
Helps Boost The Body’s Overall Strength And Power
Custard apples can also keep our metabolism rate and energy levels up through the day. It works by getting rid of toxins from our body to make us more energetic and powerful. Sip a cup of custard apple tea every morning to boost energy.
Helps Treat Abdominal Pain
Consumed as tea, custard apple can help women suffering from abdominal pain especially when it is brought about by excess gas production in the gut, as well as due to constipation.
