The Health Benefits of Chico Fruit

Sapota also known as ‘chikoo’ is a delicious calorie-rich fruit belonging to the category of fruits like mango, banana and jack fruit.

 

The fruit is a round or oval-shaped berry measuring around 10 centimetres in diameter and weighing 150 grams. It has 2-5 big, black, shiny bean-like seeds in the centre.

 

The unripe fruit has a hard surface and white pulp due to its high content of latex. The latex content reduces as the fruit ripens and its flesh acquires a brown colour.

 

The sapota fruit has its origin in the rain forests of Central America, particularly in Mexico and Belize but it is easily available in India.

 

The tasty flesh of this fruit is easily digestible and replenishes our body by providing energy due to its high content of glucose; this fruit is rich in vitamins, minerals and tannins.

 

Tannins are a complex family of naturally-occurring polyphenols that neutralize acids by precipitating proteins.

 

Research studies found that tannins have shown to have potential anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-bacterial, and anti-parasitic effects. Vitamin A in this fruit is essential for vision.

 

It is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural fruits rich in vitamin A has been known to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

Chico Fruit
Chico Fruit

It is also high in fiber, iron, and calcium. The chickoo fruit as well as the tree have medicinal benefits and various parts of the plant are used in home remedies to cure health problems.

 

An infusion of the young fruits and the flowers is drunk to relieve pulmonary complaints.

 

A liquid extracted from crushed seeds is used as diuretic and is found to be effective in removing kidney and bladder stones. The bark decoction was used as vaginal wash and wash for wounds and skin ulcers.

 

Sapodilla fruit also helps in regulating the secretion of gastric enzymes, thereby regulating metabolism. It is rich in minerals which help in formation of essential enzymes and gastric juices.

 

Among its many benefits related to the digestive system, weight loss and obesity prevention can also be included in the benefits of Sapodilla fruit.