Sapodilla, or sapota fruit, also called “Chikoo,” is a delicious tropical fruit in line with mango and kiwi. Sapota fruits have joined the list of fruits that have proven anti-cancer properties. It also helps in the prevention of certain cancers because it has vitamins A and B, which help in maintaining the health of the mucous lining of the body and the texture of the skin.
The antioxidants, dietary fiber, and nutrients found in sapota support protection against cancer and tightly bind the carcinogens to defend the mucus membrane of the colon. Vitamin A protects against lung and oral cavity cancers. Most sapota fruits originated in the Central American rain forests, most likely in Mexico and Belize.
Nowadays, it has spread all over the tropical belt and is being grown as a main commercial crop in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The Sapota tree is a rapidly growing tree that is wind- and drought-resistant and is suitable for dry, arid regions receiving scanty rains. Sapota fruit color is brown with a sandy (just like kiwifruit) outer surface but without the fuzziness.
Internally, sapota pulp in unripe fruits is white with sticky latex, often called “saponin.”. Latex content steadily disappears as the fruit ripens and its flesh turns brown. The ripe fruit is very sweet, has a smooth or grainy texture, and has a slightly musky flavor. It contains about 3–10 black, smooth, shiny “biconvex-bean”-shaped, inedible seeds situated at its center. Sapodilla is rich in calories; 100 g makes available 83 calories (almost identical to the calories in sweet potato, and bananas).
Moreover, it is a very imperative source of dietary fiber (5.6 g/100g), which makes it an exceptional bulk laxative. Chikoo fiber content really helps to relieve constipation episodes and helps protect the mucous membrane of the colon from cancer-causing toxins by firmly binding to them. Sapota is a great fruit for health. It is rich in delicious taste, and a wide array of nutrients are contained in this fruit. This is a fruit that can be easily digestible and replenishes our body by providing rich energy due to its high content of glucose.
Sapota fruit has a sugary taste and is widely used in shakes. Moreover, this fruit is rich in vitamins, minerals, and tannins. Due to its sugary taste, it is widely used in shakes. Sapota is good for your eyes and contains a high amount of vitamin A, which is important for improving vision even in old age.
If you want to maintain good vision, you must try this fruit. Moreover, sapota is extremely rich in glucose, which provides instant energy to the body. if you’re an athlete, then you need loads of instant energy, and hence it is highly recommended to eat sapota fruit. Sapota is an anti-inflammatory agent, and it helps in improving the condition of the digestive tract through the prevention of diseases like esophagitis, enteritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and gastritis.
It also decreases inflammation by reducing swelling and pain. Sapota has additional amounts of calcium, phosphorus, and iron, which is really helpful in strengthening the bones to increase their endurance. So those people who have bone deficiencies must try Sapota to overcome their weaknesses.
The Sapota herb is well known for its hemostatic properties, i.e., stopping blood loss; hence, its herb is beneficial in decreasing bleeding in cases of piles and injuries. The ground seeds can be applied as a paste to alleviate stings and insect bites. The sapota fruit contains a rich fiber content, which provides relief from constipation.
It helps the colon’s membrane and makes it resistant to infections. Therefore, it is regarded as an excellent bulk laxative. Sapota has a high dose of carbohydrates and essential nutrients, which is tremendously beneficial for pregnant and lactating mothers.
It supports dropping weakness and other symptoms of pregnancy, such as nausea and dizziness. Sapota fruits have many anti-viral, anti-parasitic, and anti-bacterial properties that prevent bacteria from entering the human body. Vitamin C abolishes harmful free radicals, while potassium, iron, folate, niacin, and pantothenic acid facilitate the proper functioning of the digestive system. Also, sapota is regarded as an anti-diarrheal due to its purgative properties.
This fruit is a decoction created by boiling it as a remedy for diarrhea. It also helps in the alleviation of piles and dysentery. Sapota fruits are also very helpful in maintaining mental health because of their potent sedative, which helps calm the nerves and alleviate stress. Therefore, it is highly advisable for people suffering from insomnia, anxiety, and depression.
Sapota fruit is effective in keeping congestion and chronic coughs at bay by removing the phlegm and mucus from the nasal passage and respiratory tract. Thus, it helps in the alleviation of colds and coughs. Sapota-crushed seeds of this fruit act as diuretics, therefore serving to expel bladder and kidney stones and offering protection against kidney diseases as well.
It is also very helpful in weight loss and prevents obesity by regulating the secretion of gastric enzymes, thereby regulating metabolism. Sapota fruits act as diuretics and aid in removing waste materials from the body through frequent urination. It prevents edema or water retention by maintaining the water concentration within the body.
Moreover, the latex content of Sapota fruit can also be used as a crude filling for tooth cavities. Sapota also contained magnesium, which is beneficial for blood and blood vessels, and potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and increase healthy circulation.
Sapota fruits help in strengthening the intestines and improving their performance. In short, eating sapota or Chikoo fruit helps develop body resistance against many infectious diseases. For the best result, you must eat ripe sapota, but you can also choose to have the sapota juice as well. But make sure Raw Sapota is extremely bitter due to the rich content of tannin and latex and can cause mouth ulcers, an itching sensation in the throat, and problems breathing.
Well, oil extracted from sapota seeds helps in moisturizing and softening you’re hair, thus making it more manageable. It imparts a sheen and is considered excellent for curly hair. It gets absorbed easily without leaving a greasy residue.
The sapota fruit seed oil feeds the scalp by easing irritated skin conditions and promoting healthy hair growth. This oil is to be considered very effective in treating the hair fall caused by seborrheic dermatitis. The wide array of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in the sapota fruit makes it an amazing choice for healthy and glowing skin.
Thus, this article will be incomplete without talking about the skin benefits of this tasty fruit. Sapota fruit helps to make you’re skin glow, thus reducing your requirement for skincare products to improve your natural skin texture and complexion.
The vitamin E in this fruit moisturizes you’re skin, thus giving you healthy and lovely skin. Therefore, eating sapota fruit is good for the skin. Sapota fruit is rich in antioxidants. Therefore, it acts as an anti-aging agent by getting rid of free radicals in the body, which are responsible for enhancing the aging process.
It is also very effective in reducing wrinkles. Because the seed kernel oil of sapota can be used as a skin ointment,. However, the residue of this seed, after the extraction of oil, can be applied as a poultice to agonizing skin afflictions.
Also Read: 10 Health Benefits of Fresh Pomegranate
