Custard apple, (genus Annona), genus of about 160 species of small trees or shrubs in the Annonaceae family that are native to the tropics of the New World. Custard apples are of local importance as a traditional medicine, and some species are grown commercially for their edible fruits.
Members of the genus are typically evergreen or semi-deciduous plants and cannot tolerate frost. The leaves can be leathery or hairy and are generally ovate with smooth edges. The unusual flowers have six to eight fleshy petals that are curved in two coils and numerous stamens and pistils. The fruits are usually scaly and juicy and sometimes segmented.
Custard apple (Annona cherimola) is a green, cone-shaped fruit with a leathery skin and creamy, sweet pulp. It is believed to come from the Andes of South America and is grown at tropical altitudes. Its creamy texture, the, custard, also known as custard. It is often eaten with a spoon and served cold as a cake. Custard has a sweet taste that is similar to other tropical fruits like banana and pineapple. High in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, this unique fruit can support immunity, reduce inflammation, and promote heart and eye health. However, certain parts of custard contain toxins that can damage your nervous system if consumed in large quantities.
Nutrition :
Custard Apple, Fresh, Nutritive value per 100gm
- Energy : 101Kcal
- Carbs : 25.20g
- Protein : 1.7g
- Fat : 0.6g
- Cholesterol : 0
- Fiber : 2.4g
Vitamin :
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B
- Vitamin B1
- Vitamin B3
- Vitamin B5
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin C
Minerals :
- Calcium
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Phosphorus
- Sodium
- Potassium
Benefits :
High in Antioxidants :
Custard Apple is full of antioxidants that fight free radicals in your body. High levels of free radicals can cause oxidative stress, which has been linked to many chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Certain compounds in custard apple, including mauric acid. , Flavonoids, carotenoids, and vitamin C have powerful antioxidant effects.
A test-tube study found that both the rind and pulp are excellent sources of antioxidants, with compounds in the rind being particularly effective at preventing oxidative damage. For health reasons, do not eat the peel of the custard apple. This is explained in more detail below. The carotenoid antioxidants in custard apple, like lutein, can be especially potent. Research shows that foods high in carotenoids can improve eye health and reduce the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer.
May Improve Your Mood :
Custard apple is an excellent source of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). In fact, 1 cup (160 grams) of the fruit contains 24% of the daily reference intake. Vitamin B6 plays an important role in the formation of neurotransmitters, including serotonin. and dopamine, which help regulate your mood. Inadequate amounts of this vitamin can contribute to mood disorders.
In fact, low levels of vitamin B6 in the blood have been linked to depression, especially in adults.A study in older adults found that vitamin B6 deficiency doubles. By increasing the levels of this important vitamin, consuming foods like custard can help reduce the risk of depression related to vitamin B6 deficiency.
Can Benefit Eye Health :
Custard apple is rich in the antioxidant carotenoid lutein, one of the most important antioxidants in the eyes, which helps maintain healthy eyesight by fighting free radicals. Degeneration (AMD), a condition characterized by damage to the eyes and loss of vision.
Lutein can also protect against other eye problems, including cataract, a clouding of the eye that leads to visual disturbances and loss of vision. A review of 8 studies found that people with the highest blood levels of lutein had a 27% lower risk of developing cataracts compared to those with the lowest levels. Therefore, eating lutein-rich foods like custard can support eye health and reduce the risk of diseases like AMD and cataracts.
May Prevent High Blood Pressure :
Custard apple is rich in nutrients that help regulate blood pressure, such as potassium and magnesium. It is worth noting that 1 cup (160 grams) of the fruit contains 10% of the RDI for potassium and more than 6% of the RDI for magnesium. Both potassium and magnesium promote the widening of blood vessels, which in turn helps lower blood pressure. High blood pressure can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure by approximately 8 and 4 mm Hg, respectively.
Another review found an inverse relationship between magnesium intake and the risk of high blood pressure by comparing people with the highest magnesium intake with those with the lowest intake. Each additional 100 mg per day intake of magnesium was associated with a 5% lower risk of high blood pressure.
May Promote Good Digestion :
One cup (160 grams) of custard apple contains nearly 5 grams of fiber, which is more than 17% of the RDI. Because fiber cannot be digested or absorbed, it adds bulk to the stool and helps it move through the intestines. Additionally, soluble fiber, such as found in custard apple, can feed the good bacteria in your gut and ferment into short chain fatty acids (SCFA), including butyrate, acetate, and propionate.
Energy sources for your body and can protect against inflammatory diseases that affect your digestive tract, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. By supporting healthy bowel movements and nourishing intestinal bacteria, custard apple and other high-fiber foods can promote optimal digestive health.
Some of the compounds in custard can help fight cancer. Custard apple contains flavonoids such as catechin, epicatechin, and epigallocatechin, which have been shown in test-tube studies to stop cancer cells from growing. One study found that treating bladder cancer cells with epicatechin resulted in significantly less cell growth and replication compared to cells that did not receive this flavonoid.
Another test-tube study found that some catechins, including those in custard apple, stopped up to 100% of breast cancer cell growth. In addition, population studies suggest that people who eat a diet rich in flavonoids have a lower risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as stomach and colon cancer, than people who eat a low-flavonoid diet. understand how the compound found in custard apple and other fruits affects cancer.
May Fight Inflammation :
Chronic inflammation is associated with an increased risk of many diseases, including heart disease and cancer. Notably, custard apple provides several anti-inflammatory compounds, including mauric acid. This acid has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and has been shown to lower certain inflammatory proteins. In addition, custard apple contains catechin and epicatechin, antioxidant flavonoids that have potent anti-inflammatory effects in test tube and animal studies. C-reactive protein (CRP) compared to a control group.
High CRP levels have been linked to atherosclerosis, a hardening and narrowing of the arteries that significantly increases the risk of heart disease.
May Support Immunity :
Like other tropical fruits, custard is loaded with vitamin C, a nutrient that supports immunity by fighting infection and disease. Vitamin C deficiency is linked to impaired immunity and an increased risk of infection. help shorten the duration of the common cold.
However, research is mixed and has mainly focused on dietary supplements rather than vitamin C in the diet. Consuming custard and other foods rich in this vitamin is an easy way to ensure good immune health.
Custard Apple Side Effects :
While custard apple offers impressive health benefits, it contains small amounts of toxic compounds. Custard apple and other Annona-style fruits contain annonacin, a toxin that can affect the brain and nervous system. The areas combine high consumption of Annona fruit with an increased risk of a certain form of Parkinson's disease that does not respond to common medications.
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