Custard Apple is a green-colored fruit found in high-altitude tropical areas.
It has leather skin that looks like scales and has sweet flesh with a creamy texture. Its taste resembles other tropical fruits such as pineapple and banana.
People often eat it raw with a spoon after removing the outer layer. It is named custard apple because its creamy texture is similar to that of custard. It has a cone-like shape.
1. Rich source of antioxidants
High oxidative stress in your body could cause long-term illnesses such as cardiovascular problems and cancer. Custard apple has compounds regarded as powerful antioxidants like kaurenoic acid, vitamin C flavonoids, and carotenoids. They neutralize oxidizing agents and reduce the risk of these chronic diseases.
2. Elevates mood
Custard apple is a rich source of vitamin B6 or pyridoxine, which boosts the production of dopamine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters improve the mood of a person. Their deficiency causes stress, depression, and other mental health issues. 160 grams of custard apples contains 24% of recommended daily intake of vitamin B6.
3. Promotes Eye Health
Lutein in custard apple is a powerful antioxidant found in the eyes. It protects against free radicals and prevents diseases like cataracts, macular degeneration, etc., by maintaining good eye health.
4. Controls Blood Pressure
Potassium and magnesium are found in abundance in custard apple. They dilute blood vessels which help in reducing blood pressure. Thus they maintain a healthy heart and prevent cardiovascular diseases like strokes.
5. Improves Digestive System
Custard Apple has fiber content that adds substance to the stool. It, thus, helps in managing digestive issues like constipation and diarrhea as it eases the food passage through the intestine. Also, the soluble fiber in custard apple facilitates fermentation for making short-chain fatty acids. These fatty acids protect the digestive tract from inflammatory diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, as well as provide energy to the body.
6. Prevents Inflammation
Inflammation occurs in different parts of the body ranging from muscles, bones, skin and even internal organs. Because custard apple is rich in magnesium it helps by balancing the water level of the body and removing the acids from the joints which are responsible for the pain. It also helps with reducing pain from rheumatoid arthritis.
7. Boosts Immunity
Custard apple is a rich source of Vitamin C, a nutrient that improves immunity and protects from diseases. Its deficiency leads to a high risk of infection. A study also suggested that vitamin C might prove helpful in decreasing the duration of the common cold.
8. Protects Against Arthritis
When acid gets deposited in the joints, it causes arthritis and rheumatism. Magnesium, which is found in abundance in custard apples, maintains the water balance in the body and thus helps in removing acid from joints. It also provides strength to the muscles. Additionally, calcium in custard apple is considered good for bone health.
9. Maintains Skin Health
Your skin looks elastic, plump, smooth, and young because of a protein called collagen. As you grow old, collagen production decreases, causing wrinkles, fine lines, and sagginess. Custard apple boosts the production of collagen to keep your skin young and healthy. Its compounds also decelerate collagen breakdown. Antioxidants in custard apple delay aging signs and blemishes by fighting off oxidative stress.
10. During Pregnancy
The high fibre content of Custard Apple comes as a solution to many problems faced during pregnancy starting with constipation. Since it is also rich in antioxidants, it helps in facing morning sickness, numbness and food cravings. There are also studies which support that religious consumption of custard apples during pregnancy reduces the chances of miscarriages.
