There are so many exotic and rare fruits in the world that some of them are not common to hear and cupuacu fruit is among those rare fruits in the world and benefits of this fruit remain unknown if you don’t want to find out. Fortunately, there are some people out there who take interest of the health benefits of cupuacu fruit though this fruit is not a kind of fruit you commonly find in the nearby fruit market.
What is Cupuacu Fruit?
When talking about unique, rare or exotic fruit, the first thing that may cross your mind is ‘how the fruit taste?’ isn’t it? Well, just like the name, the flavor of cupuacu fruit is very exotic as well because from the appearance, this fruit similar to cocoa, so it is not a surprise if the pulp of cupuacu fruit taste like chocolate but with a trace of pineapple as well, while the juice will surprise you with the combination of banana and pear. Surely you cannot find a fruit with so fruity flavor but cupuacu fruit. This fruit is originated from Amazon region because it is a typical rainforest fruit tree and right now, due to the health benefits of cupuacu fruit, in recent years this fruit has been widely cultivated around Peru and Colombia.
Nutritional Value of Cucupacu Fruit
Exotic fruit is nothing if not coming with a complete package of nutrients and cucupacu is no exception. This fruit is heavily packed with vitamins, especially vitamin B complex as well as vitamin A and vitamin C benefits.
Furthermore, since it comes from the same family as cocoa tree, this fruit is also packed with flavonoid, one of the potent antioxidants. To find out more, below is the list of health benefits of cupuacu fruit you should know.
- Healthy Breakfast
Among the locals who live in South America, they consider cupuacu fruit as a complete breakfast because it is packed with carbohydrate as well as nutrients that they need to do activities before lunch time. Just like the health benefits of drinking chocolate in the morning, as beverage, cupucacu fruit could be drank as the replacement of caffeine found in coffee and chocolate as well for natural energy booster.
- Excellent Source of Vitamin B Complex
As mentioned above, cupuacu fruit is among the exotic fruits that are packed with vitamin B complex. It means, this fruit is excellent for bones and the development of muscle and tendons. The trace of calcium, selenium and other types of minerals are even better for bone health. Â
- Treat Stomach Pain
For women, traditionally cupuacu fruit is consumed to help treating the stomach pain caused by PMS to be a bit bearable. Furthermore, this fruit is also used to help women during labor to help them with the pain, though further studies are strongly required to support about the effectiveness of this claim scientifically.
- Cupuacu Fruit as Immunity Booster
The complete package of vitamins and minerals found in cupuacu fruit make this fruit an excellent immunity booster. It is because this fruit could give therapeutic advantages to help body improving its own body mechanism to provide one more layer protection in the immunity system.Â
- Treat Respiratory Illness
It is true that there is no medication to cure respiratory illness like asthma but it is possible to reduce the symptoms of asthma. Some studies stated that cupuacu fruit contains an active compound called phytonutrient polyphenols which have been proven to be effective in treating respiratory illness.
- Natural Source of Antioxidants
There are a lot of claims about the antioxidants content in cupuacu fruit. Those claims stated that the antioxidants properties found in cupuacu fruits are enough to fight free radicals and effective to inhibit the development of cancerous cells.
- Manages Cholesterol Level
The minerals found in cupuacu fruit is the strong evidence that is fruit is among essential foods that lowers cholesterol level. It means, since it is effective to manage cholesterol level, this fruit is also effective to prevent some cardio-related diseases like heart diseases, coronary heart, hypertension and even stroke.
- Natural Energy Booster
Well, whenever you need energy booster immediately, consuming the pulp of cupuacu fruit or enjoying the juice as healthy beverage could give you the energy booster you need to do whatever activities you want to do.
- Aids Digestion
As rich of fiber, cupuacu fruit is great for digestion as well. Whenever you need to add more fiber to your daily diet, just add cupuacu fruit. Furthermore, the taste of this fruit is very delicious.
- Weight Loss Solution
You must be surprised to find out that capuacu fruit is along the list of healthy fruits for weight loss. It is because what you need for weight loss is healthy snack and low calories beverages. Well, the pulp of cupuacu could be consumed as healthy snack while the juice could be consumed as low calories beverages. You could get all you need during weight loss program only one fruit.
- Fights Kidney Stone
Recent studies also found that not only the fruit of cupuacu that is great for health but also the leaves which are possible solution to kidney stone, due to its soothing effect.
- Natural Pain Killer
The possibility of cupuacu fruit has been used as pain killer should be supported by scientific facts though traditionally, cupuacu fruit has been used as pain killer, even during child labor because it contains quite strong anti-inflammatory properties.
Cautions of Cupuacu Fruits
Don’t fall easily to the world exotic because exotic could be harmful if you are not careful since most of exotic fruits are growing widely in the wild and most claims of the benefits of the fruits are not supported scientifically yet.
- Allergic reaction could occur to those who are not careful, especially for those who are allergic to chocolate, the same reaction could occur when you consume cupuacu fruit without proper consideration.
- Cupuacu fruits contain an active compound called theacrin. It is one of the stimulant compounds which are similar to caffeine though it doesn’t work as effective as caffeine. However, still for those who are sensitive to stimulating properties should avoid this fruit at all cost.
- Those who are currently taking anti-depressant medications should not consume this fruit to avoid the negative interaction since it contains theacrin, the stimulating properties.
The list of health benefits of cupacu fruit may interest but of course nothing could compare your question about how exotic the fruit will taste. Well, if you have a chance to visit Peru or Colombia or some parts of South America, don’t hesitate to ask the locals about the fruit.