Custard apple or sugar apple is a delicious fruit that grows on the shrub of the same name and is botanically known as Annona reticulata. They are native to the tropical rain forest of Central America but are now grown in many tropical regions of South America, Asia, and Africa.
They provide many health and beauty benefits as they contain essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, polyphenols, and dietary fibers, etc.
# Promotes Weight GainCustard apple promotes weight gain because of its high calorific value. Eating 100 grams of custard apple provide 94 calories of energy.Sugar in custard apple increases metabolic rate and stimulates our appetite.With a higher metabolism, food gets metabolized faster and this leads to higher food intake which contributes to weight gain.Ensure that you consume healthy food and not just any junk in the name of calories.
# Strengthens ImmunityCustard apple strengthens immunity as it contains antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc that protect our immune cells or the white blood cells from free radical damage and thus strengthens our immune system.The immune system is the defense mechanism of our body that prevents and treats various microbial infections, diseases, and as well as injuries, and wounds.
Vitamin C enhances the production of white blood cells, and further strengthens our immunity.When we have stronger immunity, we are less likely to get a cough, cold, fever, and flu, etc.Because of its anti-microbial properties, custard apple protects from various bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.Other nutrients like zinc, potassium, magnesium, iron, and folate, etc in custard apple also contribute to better immune health.
# Provides Energy
Custard apple is an excellent source of energy and eating 100 grams of custard apple gives 94 calories of energy.Natural sugars in custard apple provide energy for various activities of the day, and this makes custard apple a better alternative to chemical-laden energy drinks available in the market.It provides nourishment as it contains essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals etc.
# Protection From Various Cancer(s)Antioxidants and antioxidantal compounds like vitamin C, vitamin A, phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc in custard apple protect our cells and tissues from free radical damage and minimizes the risk of several cancers like colon cancer, abdominal cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer, etc.
Free radicals are the unstabilized ions that stabilize by stealing electrons from the neighboring molecules, and doing so causes oxidative damage to them.Antioxidants like antimycin and bullatacin provide anticancer and anti-helminthes benefits.
# Improves Brain Health
Custard apple is good for the brain.Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc in the custard apple protects our brain cells or the neurons from free radical damage, and thus minimizes the risk of various neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amnesia, and dementia, etc.
Other nutrients like iron, potassium, zinc, iron, and magnesium, etc in the custard apple also contribute to neurological health as they provide several cognitive benefits like a sharper memory, better focus, improved concentration, and reduced mental confusion, etc.