Fruits play an essential role in improving our physical health. These fresh nutritious fruits are good for the good health of our body. These fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. One such excellent fruit rich in various nutrients is Ice Apple. This article describes the general information about the Ice Apple benefits.
What is Ice Apple?
Ice apple is a juicy nutritious fruit. This fruit provides many health benefits. It is a seasonal fruit, it helps to get rid of toxins in the body, it helps to maintain the natural temperature of the body. It is commonly found in the Southern part of India and is considered to be the best summer fruit. Ice apple trees are native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
Plant Description
The Ice apple is tall single-stemmed evergreen tree that can grow to about 20-30 meters tall with a circumference of 1.7 meters at the base. Ice apple trees have 20-25 large fresh looking leaves, grayish green in color which are fan shaped 1-2 m long and folded along the midrib. Leaves divided into 30-40 linear lanceolate terminating with marginal rounded segments. Ice apples are eaten at all stages. Male and female flowers are always produced on two separate plants. The flowers are small, and are growing in pale yellow clusters and resemble inflorescences with white. The fruits are sub glubose, and again in groups. Usually a tree will produce 50 to 300 fruits. The fruit is 4-8 inches in diameter, and when ripe is black, greenish white and black. Each fruit contains 1-3 seeds, each enclosed within a woody endocarp.
Nutrition of Ice Apple
Ice apple is a low calorie fruit that provides 43 calories per 100 g, 11 g of carbohydrates and is rich in calcium and phytonutrients. It is low in fiber, protein, vitamins C, A, E, K, B7 and iron which gives you many healing health benefits.
Scientific Classification of Ice Apple
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Tracheophytes
- Clade: Angiosperms
- Clade: Monocots
- Clade: Commelinids
- Order: Arecales
- Family: Arecaceae
- Genus: Borassus
- Species: B. flabellifer
- Scientific name: Borassus flabellifer
Benefits of Ice Apple
1. Helps relieve digestive problems
Ice apple is a natural remedy for several stomach ailments and digestive problems. This fruit helps to relieve constipation and promote normal bowel movements. It helps in preventing acidity and stomach ulcers. Pregnant women are encouraged to eat Ice apple, as it helps ease some of the minor stomach aches and nausea that often occur during pregnancy.
2. Helps relieve skin related problems
Ice apple is an excellent cure for some of the common skin problems that arise during the hot season, such as heat spots and scratches. Application of the flesh of this fruit to the affected area provides comforting effects and relief from these conditions. It helps to relieve the itching associated with these skin problems. The anti-inflammatory properties of Ice apple is helpful in treating redness of the skin caused by extreme heat. Poultice made from Ice apple is found to be effective in treating dermatitis. It can also be used safely in infants.
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3. Cool the body
Ice apple is a natural coolant and helps to keep the body cool in summer. It helps to prevent several heat related problems such as dehydration, dry skin, aging and hair loss. It not only hydrates your body but also helps to replace the nutrients and electrolytes lost due to excessive sweating. Ice apples satisfy your thirst and give you the energy to stay active throughout the day.
4. Helps reduce weight
Ice apple is a low calorie fruit and thus beneficial for people trying to lose weight. The fruit is rich in water, which helps keep your stomach full for a long time. This helps prevent frequent snacking, which is important in maintaining a healthy weight.
5. Heals migraine
Migraines are the most painful of all headaches. The natural medicinal content of Ice apple kernel powder helps to reduce this pain. Just take 1 teaspoon of Ice apple ice apple kernel powder, and you will get relief from migraines.
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6. Home remedy for many ailments
Ice apples have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Fruit monde helps to cure inflammation of the skin. It is used to treat nausea and vomiting as well as worm infections. It is also used as an antidote and as a liver tonic.
7. Rich in Phytonutrients
Ice apple contains several Phytochemicals with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. (1) These compounds can help reduce the aging process and reduce the risk of many serious health problems such as heart disease and cancer.
8. Chickenpox
Ice apples have many health benefits. Those who have suffered from chickenpox should add this fruit to their diet.
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9. Breast cancer
Ice apples determine the existence of phytochemicals, Anthocyanins, which can counteract the development of tumors and breast cancer cells. This is the best health benefit of the Ice apple.
10. Boost energy
The health benefits of Ice apples are that it maintains glucose levels and provides the body with the right balance of minerals and nutrients.
11. Liver problem
The greatest health benefit of Ice apple is that it slowly gets rid of liver problems as it cleanses the toxins with the high content of potassium in the fruit.
Traditional Uses and benefits of Ice apple/Borassus flabellifer
- In traditional local medicine, there are numerous medicinal uses for all parts of the Ice apple.
- It is said to relieve vices, stomach and gonorrhea.
- The soft roots are known to be diuretic and anthelmintic, and dissections are given in certain respiratory diseases.
- The bark with salt is used as a dissection, mouthwash, and the charcoal made from the bark acts as a dentifrice.
- The juice from the flower stalk is valuable as a tonic, diuretic, stimulant, laxative and expectorant and amoebicide.
- The sugar made from the juice of this fruit is said to prevent poison action, and is used in disorders of the liver.
- Candid, it works and remedies various Ice apple complaints.
- Fresh Ice apple, heated to promote fermentation, is bandaged in all kinds of ulcers.
- Ripe fruit juice relieves dermatitis.
- It gives dissection for some respiratory diseases.
- Dried roots can also be smoked to cure nasal complaints.
- Flower ashes are taken to relieve heartburn and enlarged spleen and liver.
- It is also anti-inflammatory and useful for dropsy and gastric conditions.
- The bark dissection and also a pinch of salt are used to treat gingivitis and mouth ulcers.
Uses of Ice Apple
Ice apples can be eaten fresh and can be used in different ways in different types of food products made from this fruit. The fruits can be added to salads, puddings, juices etc. and eaten in a variety of ways.
Side effects of Ice Apple
No adverse effects are known or reported after normal use of Ice apple. However, excessive consumption of fresh Ice apple juice can cause addiction. Some of the side effects of taking too much Ice apple and its kernels are–
- Affects Liver
Like any other alcohol, excessive consumption of the Ice apple kernel can damage the liver. Ethanol in the Ice apple kernel can affect lipid metabolism in pregnant women and accumulate fat in the liver, affecting its function.
- Causes Hypertension
Eating too much Ice apple kernel increases the risk of high blood pressure. It affects our body like other alcoholic beverages.
- Affects Nerves
Rhythm can affect neurological symptoms such as stiffness and muscle contraction. If taken in excess it can also weaken your nervous system.
Therefore, Ice apples should be used in the right amount considering its advantages and disadvantages as excessive use of any ingredient can harm our health. The above information is provided for general information purposes only. It is recommended to consult a doctor before using Ice apple in treatment.
Conclusion
The information discussed in this article has introduced you to the health benefits of Ice apple. In this article you will learn about the benefits, harms, uses and information of Ice apple. I hope the information mentioned in this article will be useful to you. Thank you!
FAQ
1. What are the common names of Ice apples?
Ans: The common names of Ice apple are– Asian Palmyra Palm, Ice Apple, Borassus Palm, African fan palm, Sea palm, Tal plum, Ron Palm, Toddy palm, sugar palm, black palm, Tala palm, Wine palm, Great fan palm, Lontar palm, Sea Apple etc.
2. What are the benefits of Ice apple?
Ans: Ice apples are rich in essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, phytonutrients, and calcium. The low-calorie fruit is rich in fiber, protein, and vitamin C, A, E and K. In addition, it contains various minerals like iron, potassium, zinc and phosphorus. No wonder it is considered the perfect fruit.
3. Is Ice apple good for the skin?
Ans: Ice apple is an excellent cure for some common skin problems, such as heat spots and scrapes. Application of fruit flesh to the affected area provides comforting effects and relief from these conditions. It helps to relieve the itching associated with these skin problems. The anti-inflammatory properties of this fruit are helpful in treating redness of the skin caused by intense heat. Poultice made from Ice apple fruit are found to be effective in treating dermatitis. It can also be used safely in infants.
4. Ice apple trees belong to which family?
Ans: Ice apple trees belong to the Arecaceae family.
5. What is the scientific name of Ice apple?
Ans: The scientific name of Ice apple is Borassus flabellifer.