Wood apple or Bael is an edible fruit that belongs to the genus Aegle of the Rutaceae family. This delicious fruit is native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia and has a slightly pear-shaped appearance. It has a thick rind that doesn’t split open on ripening. Being an excellent source of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and dietary fibers, etc, they provide many health and beauty benefits.
# Improves Digestive HealthWood apples are good for the stomach and improve our digestive health. Vitamin C and other antioxidant compounds like flavonoids, etc in wood apple protects our digestive system from free radical damage. This reduces the risk of stomach cancer, intestinal cancer, colon cancer, and pancreatic cancer, etc.
Dietary fiber in wood apple is a natural laxative that improves bowel movement, relieves constipation, and other digestive problems like abdominal pain, gas, bloating, and flatulence, etc.
Because of their antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, they help in getting rid of intestinal worms and associated digestive disorders.
# Provides Anti-Inflammatory BenefitsDietary fibers, vitamin C, tannin, and other inflammatory compounds in wood apple reduces pain and inflammation caused by inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism, rheumatoid, gouts, asthma, and bronchial asthma, etc.
# Make Our Bones StrongerWood apple strengthens our bones and teeth as they are loaded with bone-strengthening minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium, etc.
Calcium is needed for the growth and development of the bones, and deficiency of this mineral may increase the risk of bone disorders like osteoporosis.Potassium neutralizes acid load, reduces loss of calcium from the bones, and improves bone density.
Magnesium also improves bone density and contributes to better bone health.Manganese in wood apple increases calcium absorption and improves the bone mineral density of the spinal column.
# Aids In The Treatment of AnemiaWood apple helps in treating iron-induced anemia, a blood disorder mainly caused by a deficiency of iron in our body. It gives rise to symptoms like fatigue, weakness, pale skin, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, and cold hands or feet, etc.
Iron, a vital mineral present in the wood apple increases the production of red blood cells that carries oxygenated blood to cells and tissues, and provide nourishment to them.This minimizes the risk of anemia.
# Helps In Curing TuberculosisAs per anecdotal evidence, regularly drinking wood apple juice ( with added honey) before bedtime helps in curing tuberculosis.
The antimicrobial properties of a wood apple protect our lungs and abdomen from the mycobacterium tuberculosis ( bacteria that causes tuberculosis).
Vitamin C and other antioxidant compounds like phytonutrients in wood apple protect the digestive system and respiratory system from free radical damage. Vitamin C, tannin, and other anti-inflammatory properties of wood apple reduces lung inflammation, and help in treating tuberculosis.
# Regulates The Secretion of Thyroid Hormones
Wood apple reduces the risk of hyperthyroidism as it controls metabolism and regulates the secretion of thyroid hormones.
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which an overactive thyroid gland produces excessive thyroid hormones and may cause health problems like sudden weight loss ( due to high metabolism), rapid heartbeat, increased appetite, nervousness, tremor, sweating, increased sensitivity to heat, fatigue, and muscle weakness, difficulty sleeping, etc.