Sapodilla fruit – Health Benefits, Uses, Nutritional Value, and Side-effect

Sapodilla fruit – Health benefits, use, nutritional value, and side-effects of Chiku Fruits

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 other nutrients. Sapodilla fruit is one such excellent fruit rich in various seeds. This article describes the general information about the health benefits of Sapodilla.

Sapodilla fruit

What is Sapodilla/Chiku fruit?

Sapodilla is a high-calorie nutrient fruit. Sapodilla/Chiku fruit is a long-term evergreen plant in the Sapotaceae family. The Sapodilla plant is native to southern Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. It is widely grown in India, Pakistan, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Mexico.

Sapodilla has anti-inflammatory properties. It contains a very good amount of dietary fiber. In India, it was used for its antibacterial and antiviral properties. It maintains overall health as it is rich in various nutrients. Along with the calorie-rich fruit, other parts are also used with colds and coughs as they have antidiarrheal, diuretic, and antihyperglycemic. There are antibiotics and hypercholesterolemic effects.

Read Also: Health Benefits of Butter – Uses, Nutritional Value, and Side-effect

Plant description

The Sapodilla tree is an evergreen plant that can reach a height of more than 30 meters (98 feet). As a cultivated species, Sapodilla trees are medium in size and slow growing. Redwoods are tough and long-lasting. The long leaves are bright and light green, ovate to elliptic in outline. The flowers are small and inconspicuous. The fruit is spheroidal in shape, dead brown on the surface, and about 5-10 cm (2-4 inches) in diameter. Its sweet taste has been likened to a combination of pear and brown sugar. When the fruits are ripe, the seeds are two to five in number, shiny black, and flat bean-shaped — covered with transparent, yellow-brown, juicy flesh. When the fruit is immature, its flesh contains both tannins and milk latex and is volatile. Propagation is usually by seed, but excellent plants can be reproduced by grafting.

Nutritional value per 100 g of Sapodilla/Chiku fruit

Energy:347 kJ (83 kcal)
Carbohydrates:19.96 g
Dietary fiber:5.3 g
Fat:1.1 g
Protein:0.44 g

Vitamins present in Sapodilla/Chiku fruit

Riboflavin (B2):0.02 mg
Niacin (B3):0.2 mg
Pantothenic acid (B5):0.252 mg
Vitamin B6:0.037 mg
Folate (B9):14 μg
Vitamin C:14.7 mg

Minerals present in Sapodilla/Chiku fruit

Calcium:21 mg
Iron:0.8 mg
Magnesium:12 mg
Phosphorus:12 mg
Potassium:193 mg
Sodium:12 mg
Zinc10.1 mg

Different linguistic Name of Sapodilla/Chiku fruit

  • English: Chikoo, Sapodilla plum, Chikoo sapote, Naseberry
  • Spanish: Naseberry, Zapote
  • Hindi: Chikoo
  • Kanada: Chikku, Sapota
  • Marathi: Chiku, Chikku
  • Telugu: Sima ippacettu
  • Bengali: sapeta

Scientific classification of Sapodilla/Chiku fruit

  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Clade: Tracheophytes
  • Clade: Angiosperms
  • Clade: Eudicots
  • Clade: Asterids
  • Order: Ericales
  • Family: Sapotaceae
  • Genus: Manilkara
  • Species: M. zapota
  • Scientific name:  Manilkara zapota

Health benefits and uses of Sapodilla/Chiku fruit

1. Relieve stress

Study analysis shows that vitamin C helps a weakened immune system that is caused by stress. Stress has become a common health problem that can be relieved by adequate intake of vitamin C which improves overall health. Sapodilla is rich in vitamin C so the use of this fruit helps to relieve stress.

2. Prevent cold

The presence of vitamin C in Sapodilla boosts the immune system to prevent colds and viruses. Vitamin C helps prevent colds. Study shows that vitamin C-rich sapodilla fruit helps prevent the risk of lung infections and pneumonia.

3. Promotes digestion 

Fiber is essential to improve digestion. The insoluble fiber found in Manilkara zapota fruit is great for regularizing bowel movement, treats constipation and cures all other digestive problems. 

4. Helps to lose weight

Fiber-rich foods help reduce food cravings. It reduces blood sugar spikes resulting in fewer carbohydrate cravings and less fat storage. It helps in removing the intestines which leads to weight loss. High-protein chicory fruits should be added to the diet for weight loss.

Check Also: Chikoo Fruit Shake Powder

5. Proper function of the brain

The brain needs oxygen for function. Iron helps in providing oxygen to the brain and relieves poor memory and apathy. Iron deficiency leads to restlessness, irritability, and inattention. The study showed that copper helps with galactose and dopamine found in sapodilla fruit which are essential neurotransmitters for maintaining energy, mood, perspective, and focus.

6. Good for arthritis

The auspiciousness of copper in sapota fruit exhibits anti-inflammatory properties that reduce stiffness and joint pain. It also strengthens muscles, and bones and repairs connective tissue. People suffering from arthritis can improve their condition by adding sapodilla fruit to their diet.

7. Assist the nervous system

Potassium is important for cellular function, nerve impulses, and electrical signals on which brain function depends. Potassium deficiency causes poor attention, fatigue, memory and learning problems, and mood swings. Sapodilla fruits/Chiku fruit is rich in potassium and helps in solving these problems.

8. Prevent cancer

Sapodilla/Chiku fruit antioxidants combat brutality free radicals, and oxidative stress, counteract tumor cell formation, and reduce the risk of various types of cancer. Inherently rich in vitamins A and vitamin B, it helps to keep the mucous membranes healthy and prevents the risk of lung and oral cancer. Apart from these, being a good source of natural dietary fiber, it maintains intestinal health and protects the body from colon cancer.

9. Regulate blood pressure

Sapodilla is a preferred fruit for keeping high blood pressure under control. Chicken is rich in potassium, a major mineral that helps lower sodium levels, relaxes muscles, improve blood circulation and maintains blood pressure.

10. Improve vision

Sapodilla is rich in vitamin A, which plays an important role in improving the health of the outer lining of the eye, and the cornea and maintaining good vision. It is a component of rhodopsin, a protein in the eye that helps you see in dim light and improves vision.

11. Good for healthy skin 

Blessed with skin-friendly nutrients for improving skin health and beauty, sapodilla/Chiku fruit is an amazing fruit. The richness of essential vitamins A, C, and B. Sapodilla fruit revitalizes new skin moisture from within. Polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidants prevent harmful toxins from damaging huge healthy skin cells, fade wrinkles, and fine lines, and slow down.

Uses of Chiku fruit

We can eat ripe sapodilla/Chiku fruit fresh. The fruit is also used to make jams, jellies, and syrups. It is added to pancakes and cakes. The fruit can also be used in custards, juices, ice creams, or milkshakes.

Read Also: White Mulberry – Uses, Nutrition, Benefits, Side Effects

Side effects of Chikoo Fruit/Sapodilla

Moderate doses of sapodilla are safe for most people to use. However, excessive consumption of sapodilla can cause itching in the mouth. Consumption of raw fruit can cause sore throat and inflammation which can lead to respiratory problems in children. In addition, the seeds are hard and poisonous and can cause abdominal pain and vomiting.

 Note:

Sapodilla should be used in the right amount considering the benefits and harms of sapodilla as excessive use of any product can harm your health. The above information is provided for general information purposes only. It is recommended to consult a doctor before using sapodilla/Chiku fruit in medicinal fields to treat diseases.

Conclusion

In this article must have given you a general introduction to the benefits, uses, ingredients, different linguistic names, disadvantages, and other properties of sapodilla/Chiku fruit. I hope the information mentioned in this article will help you in different ways with different problems.

FAQ

1. Where is the Sapodilla tree found?

Ans: The sapodilla plant is native to Southern Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. It is grown in large quantities in India, Pakistan, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Mexico.

2. How can Chiku fruit be used?

Ans: We can eat ripe Chiku fruit fresh. The fruit is also used to make jams, jellies, and syrups. It is added to pancakes and carrots. The fruit can also be used in custards, juices, ice creams, or milkshakes.

3. Does Chiku fruit help control blood pressure?

Ans: Chiku fruit is a preferred fruit for keeping high blood pressure under control. Chiku fruit contains adequate amounts of potassium, a major mineral that helps reduce sodium mass, relaxes muscles, improves circulation, and maintains blood pressure.

Check Also: Buy Chiku juice

4. Sapodilla plant belongs to which family?

Ans: Sapodilla plants belong to the Sapotaceae family.

5. What is the scientific name of Sapodilla?

Ans: The scientific name of the sapodilla is Manilkara zapota

Leave a Reply