DHAKA: Custard apple, known as sharifa or sitaphal is high in calories and natural sugars, which makes it a healthy fruit. It is one of those very few seasonal fruits that is well-known for its delicious taste and nutritional profile. Most commonly consumed as smoothies, shakes or natural ice-creams, custard apples also exert numerous health benefits. Here are the top seven reasons why you should consume custard apples this season, thehealthsite.com

Good for the eyes

If you are looking for a natural way to enhance your vision, then custard apples are the best bet. These fruits are stored with various essential vitamins namely vitamin C and vitamin A that help improve your eyesight and make your eyes sharper and brighter. Riboflavin, vitamin B2 combats free-radical destruction thereby sustaining normal vision.

Improves digestion

These fruits are rich in copper and dietary fiber, both of which are essential to keeping your digestive tract healthy. It is also found to aid in digestion by making stools softer and helping in peristalsis (movement of food). The presence of magnesium might help in curing indigestion problems and prevent constipation.

Helps in healing process

With high levels of vitamin A, the pulpy flesh of custard apple acts as an effective natural remedy to treat ulcers and boils. It not only plays a key role in moisturizing the skin but also helps relieve redness and inflammation of the skin. The outer skin of the fruit is effective in preventing gum pain and tooth decay.

Maintains healthy heart

Custard apples are good sources of magnesium and potassium that help in protecting the heart from cardiac diseases, muscle relaxation and controlling blood pressure levels. High levels of niacin and dietary fiber in this fruit help in lowering blood cholesterol levels. Also, vitamin B6 is found to minimize the risk of heart disease along with maintaining a healthy heart.

Helps in fighting fatigue

This fruit acts as an instant source of energy along with helping fight exhaustion and weakness. Custard apples contain potassium, which helps in eliminating muscle weakness and prevents fatigue by improving blood supply.

Treats arthritis and rheumatism

The presence of a high amount of magnesium in custard apples helps in maintaining the normal water and electrolyte balance in the body. This enhances the removal of fluids and acids in the joints and the resulting inflammation thereby lowering the risk of arthritis and rheumatism.

Good for pregnant women

Custard apples are regarded as wonder-fruits for pregnant women as they help them to cope with mood swings, morning sickness and numbness. Regular consumption of this fruit during pregnancy is good for the production of breast milk, along with reducing the risk of miscarriage and labor pain. It is also found to help in proper development of the brain, nervous system and immune system of the fetus.

BDST: 2137 HRS, SEP 28, 2014