6 Most Amazing Health Benefits Of Quenepas Fruit

Quenepas ( Melicoccus bijugatus) is a delicious fruit of the quenepas tree, and belongs to the soapberry tree “Sapinadaceae”. They are native to Northern South America and were later introduced to South and Central America, and some parts of the Caribbean. This delicious fruit is known by various other names such as Spanish lime, genip, guinp, genipe, guenepa, gunepe, mamon, and kinnip, etc. Quenepas provides many health and beauty benefits due to the abundance of healthy compounds like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and dietary fibers, etc.

# Good For Eyes

Quenepas helps in maintaining our ocular health as they contain antioxidants like Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and other antioxidant compounds.These antioxidants protect our eyes from free radical damage and reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and glaucoma, etc.Vitamin A is an essential nutrient that improves vision, prevents eye dryness, and minimizes the risk of night blindness.

# Strengthen Bones And Teeth

Quenepas make our bones and teeth stronger as they contain bone-strengthening minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium, etc.

Calcium promotes the growth and development of the bones and reduces the risk of bone disorders like osteoporosis.Potassium neutralizes acid load, reduces loss of calcium from the bones, and improves bone density.Magnesium contributes to bone health by improving bone density.

Vitamin C, an anti-inflammatory compound in quenepas reduces pain and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis, a condition in which protective tissues at the ends of bones wear down.Other nutrients like zinc, phosphorus, and folate, etc also improve bone health.

# Aids In Preventing Anemia

Quenepas reduces the risk of iron-induced anemia.Iron-induced anemia is a blood disorder that causes fatigue, weakness, pale skin, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, and cold hands or feet, etc.

It is mainly caused by a deficiency of iron in the body.Quenepas is a good source of iron that encourages the production of red blood cells.Red blood cells carry oxygenated blood to cells and tissues and nourish them.This minimizes the risk of anemia.

# Promotes Weight Loss

Quenepas promotes weight loss as it has a low calorific value of 16 calories per 100 grams.Dietary fibers in quenepas provide stomach satiety and control overeating, a major cause of obesity.Quenepas have an abundance of water ( around 88 percent) that helps with weight management as it improves food digestion, reduces craving, and controls overeating.

# Helps In Enjoying A Better Sleep

Sleep plays an important role in maintaining our physical, mental, and emotional health.Not getting enough sleep or getting poor quality of sleep may damage our health, and leads to poor concentration, high blood pressure, weak immunity, weight gain, risk of diabetes, low sex drive, and risk of cardiovascular problems, etc.

Tryptophan present in the quenepas is an amino acid that relaxes our body, calms our nervous system, and allows us to enjoy quality sleep.Magnesium in quenepas calms our nerves and reduces stress ( a major cause of insomnia).Other nutrients like B vitamins and magnesium etc in pumpkin also play a significant role in improving our sleeping habits.

# Helps In Managing Diabetes

Because of their low glycemic index, quenepas release sugar into the bloodstream at a slow pace and prevent a sudden spike in blood glucose level.This helps in managing diabetes.Dietary fibers in quenepas slow down blood sugar absorption, and keep blood sugar under control.Fructose present in the quenepas is almost exclusively broken down by the liver and stimulates only modest insulin secretion.

This helps in managing diabetes.Enjoy quenepas in moderation or, otherwise, they may drop blood sugar below the healthy range and cause shakiness, dizziness, excessive sweating, excessive hunger, fast heartbeat, confusion, irritability, or moodiness.