Cherimoya is a fragrant, pulpy and sweet tropical fruit that is common in the Andean Valley. This icone-shaped fruit and greenish-yellow in color comes from the evergreen trees that belong to the Annonaceae family and genus Annona. This fruit tree is a native to the Loja region bordering Peru, which is among the low rising forests in Central Andean Mountains.
It’s a fleshy, succulent and delicious fruit. It has an appearance of a custard apple that has small seeds inside. Cherimoya is considered as one of the healthiest fruit that has high nutritional value and provides wide spectrum of healthy benefits, including:
- Fights Free Radicals
The vitamin C found in cherimoya also helps inhibit free radicals from destroying lipids, as a result, boosts overall cardiac health. It helps to increase HDL levels or good cholesterol and decreases LDL levels or bad cholesterol. This increases heart blood flow, thus lowering the chances of heart attacks. Also, cherimoya has balanced sodium to potassium ratio, which helps in controlling blood pressure and heart rate. It also neutralizes the harmful effects of sodium. The fiber in cherimoya helps to inhibit cholesterol absorption in the intestine.
- Combats Cancer Cells
Cherimoya is also good for people with cancer. For it is capable of fighting cancer cells without affecting the remaining healthy cells. Acetogenic can be found in the leaves and stems of the cherimoya plant, which helps in treating cancer. It acts by inhibiting the action of enzymes, stopping the development of cancer. The high fiber content in cherimoya shields the mucous membrane of the colon from being exposed to harmful substances by attaching cancer-causing agents in the colon. Cherimoya also has powerful antioxidants such as asimicin and bullatacin, which have been found out to contain anti-helminths and anti-cancer properties.
- Boosts Immune System
A medium size cherimoya has 30 mg of Vitamin C, which can give 35% of the recommended daily intake. Vitamin C is vital for healing wounds and construction of cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. Eating a cupful of cherimoya every day helps to cultivate resistance from infectious agents and eliminates damaging free radicals in the body.
- Improves Metabolism
Cherimoya also contains vitamin B6, which is vital for the immune system and metabolism to function properly. It controls levels of GABA neuron chemical to help alleviate depression and stress. Vitamin B6 is also great against Parkinson disease.
- Relieves Constipation
A medium-size cherimoya can give 5 grams of dietary fiber, which is around 90% of the suggested amount. Fiber is crucial for maintaining the health of the digestive tract and decreasing blood sugar levels. It also helps relieve constipation by adding bulk to stool.
- Detoxifies
Cherimoya also has a lot of polyphenol antioxidants that helps to control the damage caused by free radicals. The peel, flesh and juice of the cherimoya have good amounts of antioxidants too.
- Rejuvenates the Skin
Cherimoya contains a lot of Vitamin C that is essential for preserving skin health. Vitamin C also helps in the development of collagen, a protein that offers skin elasticity. Vitamin C also fights free radicals found in the body, giving you a healthy and glowing skin.
Eating cherimoya regularly helps to delay signs of aging such as wrinkles, fine lines, and blemishes. It can also help to counter pigmentation due to the effects of free radicals.
- Motivates Hair Growth
Cherimoya is a nutritious fruit that can provide the hair with many benefits. It has nutrients such as Vitamin C, iron, magnesium and zinc, which stimulates hair growth.
- Rids Off Hair Lice and Nits
Fruit powder from an unripe cherimoya is great for getting rid of hair lice. Simply add the powder in water and apply the mixture to the scalp, an hour before you shampoo to eliminate lice and nits.
Before you eat cherimoya, the fruit must be washed with cold water and softly rubbed and dried using a towel. Then simply cut it lengthwise and using a spoon, scoop the flesh and eat leaving the seeds and peel out. In addition, cherimoya can be added to a salad with or without the seasonings. This fruit is also good if you want to make ice creams and desserts. And cherimoya can also be served as a refreshing beverage.
