5 interesting health benefits of Agbalumo (African star apple)

The African star apple popularly known in Yoruba as Agbalumo and as Udara in Igbo is known for its sweet and sour taste but people don’t really pay attention to its numerous health benefits.

From helping people lose weight to tackling of toothache as well as prevention of gum diseases, the benefits of the natural fruit can’t be quantified.

The juice sucked or squeezed out of it doesn’t only give lots of satisfaction just like the skin but also aids good health in ways described below:

1. Rich in Vitamin C

100g of Agbalumo contains about 25mg of Vitamin C which makes it very rich in Vitamin C content. As we all are aware of the numerous benefits of this particular nutrient, it is safe to say that the fruit prevents sprue and gum diseases, prenatal health problems, immune system deficiencies, eye diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and many more.

2. Helps weight loss

Research has shown that one Agbalumo contains 67 calories, this means it is a viable alternative for people battling with their weight as they get fewer calories intake while consuming it.

3. Natural Anti-oxidant

Antioxidants help prevent the damage to the system caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that are produced in your cells during your own metabolism. Their production increases in response to stress or injury. Intake of foods and drinks that can neutralise these free radicals are highly encouraged, and Agbalumo does just that.

4. A major ingredient in Herbal medicine

The taste from the fruit acts as a natural treatment for common health issues like indigestion, constipation, sore throat and tooth ache. The bark of an Agbalumo tree is also used by Herbal practitioners to treat malaria and yellow fever while they also use the leaves in the treatment of wounds, diarrhea and stomach ache.

5. Good for pregnant women

Its acidic taste helps curb the urge of vomiting while pregnant, after proper consultation from their doctor on an ante-natal diet.