AMAZING FACTS ABOUT CHERRY (AFRICAN STAR APPLE)
CHERRY “African Star Apple” Is a popular seasonal fruit normally consumed with its flesh in Nigeria. Agbalumo is mostly cultivated in the rural areas of the country and is fully in season from January to April. Agbalumo, when fully ripe and consumed, is sweet, lush, and sensitizes the taste buds of the eater. To crown it up, it is highly nutritious.
The exotic fruit has edible skin that ranges in color from green to orange, depending on the stage of ripeness. The tender, sweet inner flesh is off-white with seeds making the inner look like a star-shaped fruit.
Listed below are a few benefits of agbalumo:
Natural Anti-Oxidant: Antioxidants are substances that may protect the cells against the effects of free radicals — molecules produced when the body breaks down food or is exposed to tobacco smoke and radiation. By consuming agbalumo one gives the body a better chance of fighting and avoiding heart disease, cancer, etc.
Helps Diabetic conditions: Star apples may have particular benefits for diabetics. Research indicates that the leaves of this fruit may reduce glucose levels in diabetic rabbits, the same function that insulin serves. However, that consuming star apple leaves appears to have a toxic effect when eaten in large quantities. More research is needed to determine the effectiveness of star apple leaves to control diabetes in humans.
Vitamins and Minerals: Udara serves as a good source of calcium, with each serving providing one with 10 percent of the amount one requires each day. The calcium lends strength to the bones and teeth, and it may also lessen symptoms of premenstrual syndromes, such as cramping and abdominal bloating. This fruit also contains 5 percent of the daily recommended value per serving of vitamin C and vitamin A. Additionally, one serving of star apples serves up 2 percent of the iron, a mineral vital for oxygenating the body, that one needs every day.
Prevents Heart Disease: Frequent consumption of fruit can help lower blood sugar and cholesterol thereby preventing or managing heart diseases.it is a very good recommendation for patients with heart problems.
Helps one lose weight: Eating a serving of star apple contributes 3 g of fiber to the recommended daily intake of 25 to 38 g. Fiber provides bulk to one’s diet, a factor that can make the stomach feel fuller for longer. This can keep one from eating too much, and it may help one lose weight. This nutrient can also help protect one from diabetes and some forms of cancer.
NATURAL REMEDY :
The Agbalumo /Udara is a natural remedy for toothache, constipation, sore throat, and much more. Also the bark of the tree according to research was used traditionally to treat yellow fever and malaria, while the leaf treated wounds, stomach ache, and diarrhea. In some parts of Nigeria the seeds are used to treat vaginal and skin infections.
