The Jamaican star apple (Chrysophyllum Cainito) is a tropical fruit, or rather plant of the family Sapotaceae. Native to the Greater Antilles and West Indies, star apple trees have since been cultivated in Central and South America to distant tropical regions of Southeast Asia.
In Southeast Asia, star apple is mostly associated with central to southern Vietnam, precisely with Can Tho Province in the Mekong Delta. A Jamaican star apple offers 5-10% of daily recommended values of important vitamins, such as vitamins A, C as well as calcium. Here are more information on the health benefits of Jamaican star apple.
Nutritional Facts of Jamaican Star Apple
- Serving Size – 100 g
- Calories – 67 kcal
- Total Fat – 0 g
- Saturated Fat – 0 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat – 0 g
- Monounsaturated Fat – 0 g
- Trans Fat – 0 g
- Cholesterol – 300 g
- Sodium – 2,300 g
- Potassium – 67 mg
- Total Carbohydrates – 14 g
- Dietary Fibre – 3 g
- Sugar – 0 g
- Protein – 2 g
- Vitamins and Minerals
- Vitamin A – 0 mg
- Vitamin B6 – 0 mg
- Vitamin B12 – 0 mg
- Vitamin C – 0 mg
- Vitamin D – 0 mg
- Calcium – 14 %
- Iron – 2 %
- Magnesium – 0 mg
All the information above are in relation to a 2,000-calorie diet. The percentage of daily value (% of DV) may differ depending on personal calorie needs.
What are its Health Benefits of Star Apple?
- Jamaican Star Apple for Digestive Health
Jamaican star apple is a wonderful source of dietary fibre, which it accounts by 3 grams. Dietary fibre is essential for keeping digestive system healthy and also for normalizing bowel movements.
- Jamaican Star Apple is Rich in Vitamin C benefits
Vitamin C works as an antioxidant responsible for neutralizing the harmful side effects of free radicals that lead to cancer, heart diseases, immunity and also aging. The human body cannot produce vitamin C, as such it has to be consumed externally.
- Jamaican Star Apple Manages Diabetes
Jamaican star apple manages diabetes by controlling blood sugar and making sure that they are always in check. Diabetes symptoms in addition can also be managed through antioxidants present inside Jamaican star apple.
- Jamaican Star Apple Prevents Iron Deficiency and Anemia
Iron deficiency is a form of anemia caused by insufficient amounts of mineral iron in the body. Iron is needed to produce hemoglobin or red blood cells. Jamaican star apple is also high in iron, sufficient enough to prevent this from happening.
- Jamaican Star Apple Supports Weight Loss
Since the star apple has low fat and calorie amounts, ideal for a weight loss diet! Indeed, the dietary fibre of Jamaican star apple also makes whoever consume it feel full for an extended period of time.
- Jamaican Star Apple Treats Diarrhea and Dysentery Well
Diarrhea and dysentery are both treatable using Jamaican star apple because of the similar symptoms shared by the two.
- Jamaican Star Apple Eases Bowel Movement
An easy bowel movement is an indicator of a healthy metabolism. In the meantime, the primary causes of constipation include unnecessary stuff consumed which prolonged the whole digestion process. Thanks to fibre, bowel movement can come easy with Jamaican star apple.
- Jamaican Star Apple Prevents Colon Cancer
Prolonged stomach problems may lead to colon cancer, which shouldn’t be treated lightly. Jamaican star apple keeps the colon healthy to prevent the formation of colon cancer.
- Jamaican Star Apple has Low Calories
The nutritional facts above show that Jamaican star apple has very low-calorie count, at just 67 kcal.
- Jamaican Star Apple is Good for Bones and Teeth
Bones and teeth can be developed and maintained finely with calcium, which is also found inside the Jamaican star apple. Jamaican star apple contains a moderate 14% of calcium.
- Jamaican Star Apple Reduces Pre-Menstrual Syndrome Symptoms
In relation to the point above, Jamaican star apple also has the potentials to reduce PMS, specifically cramps because of the calcium it contains. In addition, the refreshing taste of star apples could also lift up the mood during PMS.
- Jamaican Star Apple Produces Oxygen and Collagens
Oxygen is produced inside hemoglobin, while collagens originate from vitamin C. Jamaican star apples have iron reserves that produce collagen as well as vitamin C at 2% and 14% respectively.
- Jamaican Star Apple Makes Wound Healing Faster
In addition, collagen also contributes to making wound healing faster, while vitamin C will immediately cover up using one layer of protection to prevent infections from taking place.
- Jamaican Star Apple Supports Heart Health
Jamaican star apples support heart health by making the minerals contained inside blood to be distributed evenly across the body. Uneven distribution of minerals is partially caused by the heart that works and pumps blood beyond capacity.
- Jamaican Star Apple Improves Vision
When the eye cells are not regenerated well, the eyes become prone to macular degeneration that cause a reduction of vision. Vitamin C can help in achieving regeneration of cells.
- Jamaican Star Apple is Both Antibacterial and Antimicrobial
One antioxidant, alkaloid inside star apples can act as both antibacterial and antimicrobial to keep our health guarded optimally.
- Jamaican Star Apple Reduces Stroke
Stroke strikes when the brain is deficit in oxygen, which spreads rapidly to the rest of the body. Jamaican star apples help in accelerating iron production for red blood cells so that the spread of oxygen throughout the body could be guaranteed.
- Jamaican Star Apple as Cough Treatment Remedy
Here comes one of the traditional remedies offered by Jamaican star apple. It treats coughs as good as conventional cough syrups but with a more delightful flavour.
- Jamaican Star Apple as an Anti-Inflammation
The antioxidants have properties that are deemed to be powerful and magical in treating inflammation like health benefits arnica from the simple ones to the most acute ones.
- Jamaican Star Apple for Treating Hypertension
Hypertension or symptoms of high blood pressure is treatable using Jamaican star apples through its antioxidants contained. In fact, star apples for hypertension is considered as a traditional remedy!