Benefits, Uses & Side Effects of Custard Apple

Custard Apple is a cone-shaped green fruit. It has scaly skin with a creamy and sweet taste. People prefer to eat it with a spoon.

Some serve it chilled like custard. It originated in the Andes Mountains of South America. Cultivation of the fruit is conventional in tropical areas with high altitudes.

Nutritional Content of Custard Apple:

Vitamins, fiber, and minerals are the main nutritional constituents of custard apple. One serving of custard apple has the following nutritional value

• 38% of RDI for Vitamin C

• 22% of RDI for magnesium

• 15% of RDI for Vitamin B6

• 6% of RDI for Iron

The Way of Eating Custard Apple:

Custard Apple has a soft inner flesh. Their seeds and skin are unappetizing. Cut the custard apple (Sharifa) into half, scoop out the soft flesh.

Dispose of the seeds and use this flesh in ice creams, yogurt drinks, fruit salads, and in milkshakes.

Health Benefits of Custard Apple

Following are the main healthy properties of custard apple:

1. Cancer & Heart Disease:

Custard Apples are the primary source of antioxidants, like Vitamins, Flavonoids, and carotenoids.

These antioxidants provide the immune system to fight with free radicals in our bodies.

High levels of these free radicals can cause oxidative stress. It leads to chronic diseases like heart and cancer.

2. Prevents Asthma:

A low level of Vitamin B6 may cause asthma. Food rich in vitamin B6 helps to reduce bronchial inflammation or an asthma attack.

Custard apple is an example of such a fruit.

3. Mood Swings:

Mood swings or mood disorder is a worldwide problem. As custard apple contains Vitamin B6.

It has a vital role in the formation of neurotransmitters. Generally, in older adults, the low blood level of vitamin B6 can cause depression.

Custard apple helps to boost Vitamin B6 levels to reduce depression.

4. Skin and Hair:

Everyone wants to have clear, moisturized skin and healthy hair. High levels of vitamin A in custard apple helps to maintain healthy hairs and skin.

It helps in keeping it moisturized. The use of the flesh of custard apple as a balm helps to treat ulcers.

5. Cataracts:

Custard apple is rich in carotenoids. It also contains antioxidant lutein, which prevents eye damage and vision loss.

It helps to boost eye health and fight against cataracts. Other eye diseases that the custard apple helps to prevent include ARMD.

6. Hypertension:

Custard Apples are very beneficial for people who suffer from high blood pressure.

Its nutrients, such as magnesium and potassium, help to regulate blood pressure. One serving of custard apple boost 10% of potassium and 6% of magnesium.

It helps in the management of hypertension.

7. Digestion:

The Custard Apples help to maintain a good digestive system. It contains dietary fibers.

Additionally, it helps to move stool through the intestine. The soluble fibers of custard apple produce short-chain fatty acids.

These protect the digestive tract from ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

8. Infections:

To ensure the proper immune health, the use of foods rich in vitamin C is common.

Custard apple is also a great source of Vitamin C. This vitamin helps to fight against disease & infections. It helps to boost immunity power. 

9. Weight Gain:

Everybody wants to maintain a healthy weight without supplements. Custard apples are good for people who want to gain weight.

Regular consumption of custard apple and honey can improve the BMI of a person.

10. Fetal Growth:

Custard apple builds up the sensory system, brain, and immune system of an embryo. Normal use of custard apple reduces the level of miscarriage.

It also helps in reducing labor pain during childbirth. Its regular use during pregnancy is effective for the production of breast milk.

11. Diabetes:

Diabetes is a worldwide problem. It may cause blindness, heart attacks, kidney failure, lower-limb amputations, and stroke.

It is very effective for diabetic patients. The dietary fibers of custard apple reduce the absorption of glucose. It also reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

MEDICAL USES

1. Antioxidant

Custard apple ha rich in Vitamin C. It helps the body to fight off free radicals.

2. Cardioprotective

High magnesium content helps to protect the heart from various cardiovascular diseases.

3. Healthy Skin and Hair

Vitamin A is useful in keeping your skin youthful. It helps in maintaining healthy hair. Vitamin A also prevents from weak eyesight.

4. Muscle Weakness

Magnesium helps to keep a water balance in the body. It is useful for people who feel tired. Potassium in custard apple helps to keep muscles strong

5. Synthesis of Red blood cells

Iron is a precursor to red blood cells. Custard apple fulfills the daily need for iron. Any person who eats custard apple will not suffer from anemia.

Side Effects of Custard Apple:

Custard apples have many benefits, but its overconsumption might have some side effects.

Do not exceed the daily serving size of custard apple. The following are some adverse effects of custard apple.

1. Nervous System:

The Annonacin (chemical compound) found in the skin and seeds of custard apple.

This compound is toxic and may affect the nervous system and brain. It also increases the risk factor of Parkinson’s disease.

To avoid these kinds of effects, remove the skin and seeds of custard apple before eating.

2. Excess intake of Iron and Potassium:

Custard apples are a good source of iron and potassium.

• Iron plays an essential role in the formation of hemoglobin. Excess amounts of iron may cause an intestinal ulcer, thalassemia, or colitis.

• Potassium helps to maintain the level of blood pressure in the body. Excessive intake of potassium may cause various adverse effects. These effects include blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, fainting, or lack of concentration.

3. Stomach Problem:

As custard apples are a good source of dietary fibers. These fibers are useful to treat constipation.

Excess amounts of fibers may cause various diseases of the stomach.

4. Weight Gaining:

Excess consumption of custard apple may increase weight. It might lead to obesity.

INTERACTION WITH MEDICINES:

Custard apples are healthy for patients, which suffer from health conditions. The use of custard apple should always be in a moderate amount.

Food to drug interaction exists between anti-hypertensive medicines and custard apple. So always, consult your general physician in this regard.

CONCLUSION:

Custard Apples are rich in nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and fibers. Their addition enhances the taste of any dessert or even a main course.

They also have great medicinal importance as well. But overconsumption of Custard Apple may cause negative effects.

Moderation is the key to eat custard apple without experiencing any side effects.