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Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Cherimoya: Nutrition and Health Benefits

Cherimoya is a pulpy, sweet, and fragrant rich fruit native to South and Central America. It is one of the most delicious tropical fruit originated from the Andean valleys of Peru and Ecuador. Now, this heart-shaped delicious fruit has been cultivated internationally. Cherimoya has sweet, soft, juicy, creamy white flesh with heavily loaded large black seeds. The consistency of the flesh is very similar to custard, so the fruit is also known as a "custard apple". A tropical flavor of cherimoya is described as a reminiscent of banana, papaya, strawberry and pineapple all together. This greenish-yellow, conical fruit is a part of the Annonaceae family which also includes the fruits Pawpaw, Sweetsop and Soursop. The scientific name of cherimoya is Annona cherimola.
Cherimoya: Nutrition and Health Benefits
Appearance wise, cherimoya looks quite weird due to its tough, green outer rind wrapped with overlapping scales. Chirimoya tastes incredibly delicious and it can be used to make smoothies & ice cream or can be added to fruit salads. Seeds of the cherimoya are very toxic, so, remove all seeds while eating the fruit. The availability time of cherimoya is January to June. Choose the firm cherimoyas which are free of skin blemishes and heavy for their sizes. A ripe fruit turn into light brown color from pale green color and emit fragrant rich sweet odor which can be valued from a distance. The ripen fruits should be stored in the refrigerator as they ripens fast at normal room temperature.

Cherimoya Nutritional Facts

Cherimoya is an excellent source of vitamin C, offering 1/5th of our daily recommended value; hence, it is very helpful to boost our immune systems. Cherimoya is a very good source of carbohydrates and good source of potassium, fiber, several essential vitamins and minerals. The good thing about this nutritious fruit is that it is cholesterol free & saturated fat free, and it has very low sodium content.
An average cherimoya fruit without the seeds and the skin weighs approximately 312g. Carbohydrates alone contribute about 55g of that weight. Around 5g comes from protein, and just 2g comes from fat in this serving. The left over portion is composed of water, other nutrients and indigestible components.
Check a catalog of cherimoya nutritional values provided by an average fruit without seeds and skin (312g) both in amount and in % daily value.
NutrientsAmount%DV
Calories
Calories From Fat
16.2
Calories From Protein
17.3
Calories From Carbohydrate
197
Total Calories23112%
Basic Components
Water248 g
Protein5.1 g10%
Ash2.0 g
Vitamins
Vitamin C35.9 mg60%
Vitamin B1 or Thiamin
0.3 mg19%
Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin
0.4 mg22%
Vitamin B3 or Niacin1.8 mg9%
Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic Acid
0.7 mg
7%
Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine0.7 mg33%
Folate56.2 mcg14%
Fats & Fatty Acids
Total Fat1.9 g3%
Carbohydrates
Dietary Fiber7.2 g29%
Total Carbohydrate55.2 g18%
Minerals
Calcium
25.0 mg2%
Magnesium
49.9 mg12%
Iron0.9 mg5%
Potassium
839 mg24%
Phosphorus81.1 mg8%
Zinc
0.6 mg4%
Sodium12.5 mg1%
Manganese
0.3 mg13%
Copper0.2 mg11%

Cherimoya Health Benefits

An impressive list of essential nutrients, anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals contributes for the myriad health benefits.

Improve Heart Function

The well-balanced sodium and potassium ratio of cherimoya are very useful things in the regulation of blood pressure levels and heart rate. It is very rich in a potent natural antioxidant Vitamin C, which prevents the free radicals from attacking the lipids and thus, averts the cholesterol of body from becoming harmful. Vitamin C also aids body in developing resistance against infectious agents. All of these offer optimistic health effects to the heart and improve the heart function.

Constipation Alleviation and Colon Health

A delicious and wholesome fruit Cherimoya is loaded highly with dietary fibers. Fibers are proven very beneficial in the stool movement by adding bulk to the stool, so consumption of cherimoya helps to relieve constipation.

It is also shown helpful in promoting the colon health. High dietary fiber content in this fruits helps to lower the cholesterol in the blood. It prevents the absorption of cholesterol in colon; thereby, it thwarts formation of carcinogenic cells in the colon and defends mucous membrane of colon from the exposure to toxic substances.

Good for Your Brain

Cherimoya contains vitamin B6 in quite good amount, which is very advantageous for our brain functioning as it controls the GABA neuro chemical levels. Adequate GABA neuro chemical levels help to throw away stress, get rid of tension, soothe nervous irritability and even treat the depression. Vitamin B6 is even deemed to lessen the risk of parkinson’s disease.

An Excellent Antioxidant Property

Cherimoya is loaded with several poly-phenolic antioxidants. Asimicin and bullatacinare are powerful cytotoxins present in this fruit, which have been found to act against cancer, malaria and helminthes worm.

Other Health Benefits of Cherimoya
  • Cherimoya is a good source of potassium, which is proven very helpful to improve resistance against cardiovascular and kidney disease.
  • Consumption of cherimoya even provides some other health values like protecting against gum infections, boosting appetite, improving skin health, supporting dental hygiene, improving oral health, lowering fatigue, improving the health of lungs and lowering numbness in legs.
  • Cherimoya is also shown beneficial in curing diseases such as arthritis, stomach contractions, intestinal transit problems, anemia, hypertension, decalcification, stomach cramps, diabetes and other related problems.

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