Cherimoya fruit looks like a green pine, it is pear-sized and often has a heart shape. Aside from its sweet taste, cherimoya also contains abundant amounts of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant compounds that are beneficial to our health. Therefore, they deserve to be listed on the fruit categories that are advisable for humans.
Contents
1/ What is Cherimoya?
Cherimoya fruit (Annona cherimola) is a fruit with a distinctive heart shape. In some places, it is also known as custard or Anona Fruta. Its light green skin covers the opaque white flesh, which has a creamy texture. Cherimoya seeds are black, hard, and inedible.
The cherimoya fruit is related to the pawpaw and sugar apple. Cherimoya first discovered in the southern Ecuadorian valleys, as well as in northern Peru. Currently, Spain is the world’s leading producer of cherimoyas, and the Mediterranean region is another source of cherimoya fruit.
Researchers have found that the leaves and peel of the cherimoya fruit also contain antioxidants and compounds that can help treat eye and heart conditions, aid digestion, and maintain skin health. Only the flesh can be eaten, however.
2/ Benefits of Cherimoya
Antioxidants richness
Cherimoya fruit contains effective antioxidants, including carotenoids, vitamin C, flavonoids, and kaurenoic acid. These antioxidants have the effect of rejuvenating cells, removing large amounts of bad cholesterol from the body to help with cardiovascular health, preventing heart and circulatory diseases such as fatty blood, atherosclerosis, etc. They also have anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic effects.
Cherimoya fruit’s antioxidants help fight free radicals, which cause stress and a variety of health problems.
Fiber supply
Many studies indicate that fiber is an important ingredient in a healthy diet. Cherimoya fruit provides your body with a large amount of soluble fiber, helps ferment the amount of food in the intestines, and increases the number of probiotics in the gastrointestinal tract, which helps to support weight loss and to keep you feeling full for a long time.
Additionally, supplying fiber for the body reduces the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diseases regarding the digestive system.
Anti-inflammatory properties
There are several anti-inflammatory compounds in cherimoya, including kaurenoic acid, carotenoids, and flavonoids, which play a major role in preventing chronic inflammation. They also reduce the risk of colitis and other inflammatory diseases. Furthermore, these compounds keep the body healthy and prevent plaque diseases from occurring.
Immunity boosting properties
A cherimoya provides up to 60% of your daily vitamin C value. It plays an important role in building the immune system and fighting disease.
Studies show that the body’s deficiency of vitamin C impairs immunity and makes the body more susceptible to viral attacks.
Eye health support
Cherimoya contains lutein, an anti-inflammatory substance that strengthens the immune system, creates moisture in the eye, promotes eye health, and prevents eye diseases, especially macular degeneration, which is among the leading causes of blindness.
Lutein also reduces eye strain and sensitivity to light to make vision sharper.
A good source of Vitamin B6.
The cherimoya fruit is a rich source of vitamin B6, which supports a healthy circulatory system, boosts brain function, improves sleep, and reduces blood pressure.
You should consume these vitamins to your body to avoid problems with your blood vessels and brain. In addition, it plays an important role in boosting the mood and the ability to focus and memorize.
Cardiovascular health promotion
Cherimoya contains a number of compounds that are beneficial to cardiovascular health, including antioxidants, fiber, and nutrients such as potassium and magnesium. By reducing the load on the circulatory system, they prevent heart diseases and minimize stroke risks.
3/ Notes when eating cherimoya fruit
Even though cherimoyas are rich in nutrients and have several health benefits, eating too much of them will cause bloating, even lead to food poisoning.
It is best to eat only the white flesh of cherimoya, avoiding its skin and seeds because they have a bitter taste and are unhealthy for the body.
Make sure your cherimoya fruit is fully ripe. You can check them by pressing directly on the fruit, its softness will tell you the ripeness. Do not eat unripe cherimoya fruits because they are bitter, completely unappetizing, and not good for your health. If you accidentally buy the unripe cherimoyas, wait a few days for them to ripen!
You can eat them as fresh as many other fruits or make ice cream, smoothies, etc.
When buying cherimoya, choose soft ripe fruits without scratches. The dull skin is also considered a sign that the fruit is no longer fresh, so choose a fresher one.
Remember to check the origin of the fruit you buy to ensure health and safety.
Choose Long Produce’s store as a source of fresh fruits for you! All of our fruits have been thoroughly tested, ensuring the freshness and pesticide-free properties.