African Star Apple is a native fruit of tropical African countries such as Nigeria known as Agbalumo (Yoruba) or Udara (Ibo). It is full of nutrients that are both rich and beneficial to one’s health.
Africa Star Apple is used to treat high blood pressure, diarrhea, digestive issues, and fever. The amazing 11 health benefits of African star apples, also known as Agbalumo or Udara in Nigeria, are listed below.
1. Aids in Digestive Health
The active fiber content, which is mainly a carbohydrate in African Star Apple (Agbalumo), helps keep the digestive system healthy and helps to overcome constipation and other digestive problems.
It helps in normalizing your bowel movements and aids in getting rid of constipation as well as other problems of the digestive system. Consumption of African star apple helps prevent the most dangerous health problem like colon cancer.
2. Natural Antioxidants
African Star apple is a natural source of antioxidants, which helps remove damaging oxidizing agents in the body and keep the immune system healthy.
Antioxidant-rich foods like star apple can prevent free radicals like heart attack and cancer. Regular and moderate eating of star apples can help reduce the development of dead cells by removing free radicals.
3. Boosts Immune System
These vitamins in African star apples help produce collagen that promotes immune health and moderates sugar levels in diabetic patients. Africa Star apple consumption helps boost immunity due to vitamin C and carotene.
4. Prevents Anemia
Iron deficiency is anemia that occurs because of insufficient iron in the body. It has a content of iron that is necessary for the body to produce hemoglobin and prevent iron deficiency anemia. It can lead to dizziness, loss of appetite, weakness, rapid heartbeat, headache, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
All these can be prevented by consuming foods with high iron content, such as African star apples and vegetables.
5. Strengthens Bones
Essential minerals such as calcium and phosphorus for maintaining strong bones and teeth are contained in African star apples.
Because of is rich in calcium and phosphorus, regularly eating these fruits significantly strengthens your bones and prevents numerous bone diseases.
6. Helps in Weight Loss
Properly consuming African star apples helps manage weight loss and maintain full body health and beauty.
African Star apple (Agbalumo) is one of the best fruits for weight loss due to its low in fat, and also it contains a high amount of dietary fiber that improves satiety, making you feel more satisfied even after a long time.
It is an excellent fruit to take when trying to lose weight.
7. Good Source of Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble nutrient that assists several essential functions in the human body.
Vitamin C also acts as an antioxidant, controls collagen production, protects the heart, heals wounds, enhances vision, improves immune health, and decreases blood sugar levels.
Vitamin C’s antioxidant properties help neutralize the harmful effect of free radicals and prevent fatal diseases like heart disease and cancer.
Since the human body cannot produce vitamin C itself, we can quickly get it from outside by consuming the African star apple because it is one of those foods with a high vitamin C content.
8. Prevents Diabetes
Another essential benefit of the African star apple is that it aids in controlling sugar levels in the blood, which is the best food for people with diabetes.
Star apple fiber aids in keeping the blood sugar level under control. It’s rich in antioxidants and helps protect the body against health problems like cancer, diabetes, and heart problems.
9. Low Calories
African Star apple is known for its low calories. One portion of this fruit contains 67 calories making it suitable for those trying to lose weight. Star apple is rich in fiber which can make you get satiated easily.
10. Can be used as Medicinal Drugs
The leaves, seeds, and fruits are good herbal medicine for treating various health issues. You can use the cooking of the leaves or bark to treat diarrhea and dysentery—the shell of the star apple tree aids in treating yellow fever and malaria.
African Star apple leaves treat skin rash, stomach pain, diarrhea, and stomach pain. The star apple seeds are also used in preparing ointments for treating skin infections and virginals.
11. Good For Pregnant Women
African Star apple has an acidic taste and is mostly liked by women during pregnancy because it helps prevent the urge to vomit. Star apple helps with women’s problems during pregnancy, like treating sore throat, constipation, and indigestion.
Therefore you should consume this fruit during pregnancy because it will significantly help.
Growing African Star Apple (Agbalumo)
African Star apple grows only in subtropical or tropical climates. It can be cultivated easily from seeds, and it would take ten years for the young seedling to mature and bear fruits.
That is why grafted trees from air-layered cuttings or local nurseries are better, as they bear fruits from 1 to 2 years after cultivating in the ground. Its botanical name is Chrysophyllumcainito, usually available from December to April.
The African Star apple is a prevalent fruit in Nigeria called Agbalumo in Yoruba and Udala in Igbo; the color ranges from green (when unripe) and orange (when ripe).
Some have a yellow color too, and this kind of African star apple is more common than the purplish-green or purple star apple cultivated in other parts of the world, like the ones grown in Southeast Asia, which have extended to Central America.
In some Southeast Asia, other varieties are known as Star apples but are purple (Purple Star Apple) instead of the Nigerian yellow-orange color.
Conclusion
Generally, African star apples are pretty nutritious. The leaves exhibit some soothing properties proven to remedy certain ill-health conditions, such as skin rashes, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
It serves as a source of critical daily vitamins recommended for health: vitamins A and C, which support many vital functions of the human body.
Regularly consuming the African star apple fruit will boost your health.
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FAQs
What does African star apple do to the body?
African star apples are a rich source of natural antioxidants such as flavonoids and vitamin E, C, and A. They prevent oxidative damage of cells and promote heart health. Studies have also shown that the African star apple contains glycosides. They are antioxidants that help fight heart disease.
Is African star apple good for ulcer?
In a new study, researchers said the extract from the bark of African star apple tree facilitates the healing of stomach ulcer probably by increasing antioxidant levels, mucin content and decreases acidic secretion in the stomach. Mucin supports increased mucus production.
What are the side effects of African star apple?
Moderation is required in the consumption of this fruit because excess could lead to heartburn.
