Five common medicinal fruits that are less valued (2)
African Star Apple
The African Star Fruit or African Star Apple, popularly known in Ghana as ‘Alansa’ is often enjoyed by children and the youth especially. African Star Fruit has different tastes. It can be very sweet and can be sour at the same time. It is believed that ‘Alansa’ originated in either Sri Lanka or the Moluccas, the islands of Indonesia and later spread throughout Asia. The botanical name for this fruit is botanical name is Chrysophyllum albidum.
Like the other benefits of the fruits mentioned above, the African Star Apple serves as a natural source of antioxidants which helps to remove damaging oxidizing agents in the body system and keep the immune system healthy.
Again, the African Star Apple helps in healthy digestion. Research by medical doctors has shown that the active fibre content, which is mainly a carbohydrate in star apple, helps keep the digestive system healthy and helps to overcome constipation and other digestive problems.
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It helps in normalizing your bowel movements and aids in getting rid of constipation as well as other problems of the digestive system. Consumption of star apple helps in preventing the most dangerous health problem like cancer of the colon. This benefit is especially unknown to many, but it is good you have known that fact today.
Guava is another major fruit that can be found in many places in Ghana.
I once asked my grandfather who planted the guava behind his house, but he couldn’t tell me the specific person who planted it. He was attributing it to God, but as science will tell me, birds spread seeds on different soils.
This fruit has so many benefits to our immune system. Guava is a native of the tropical America and is grown in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide.
The botanical name for this fruit is (Psidium guajava). It is a small tropical tree or shrub of the family of Myrtaceae. Guava fruits can be processed into jams, jellies, and preserves and are common pastry fillings. Fresh guavas are rich in vitamins A., B, and C.
Guava is commonly eaten raw and may be sliced and served with sugar and cream as a dessert. During the season of guava , try and serve yourself, your family and visitors with some guava to have a feel of the taste.
There are different types of guavas. There is pink and red type and the other type is the white and yellow colours.
The pink and red type is very sweet, and most of those ones can be found in Ghana. The white and yellow type often has a sour and acidic taste. Both types have health benefits, and that is why it is encouraged to always eat guava during its season.
One most important benefits of eating guava is that it helps in better eyesight. Guava contains Vitamin A, which helps one to see clearly and prevents one from developing cataracts and macular degeneration. This means that students and parents at old age must always take in guava as it improves our eyesight.
Guava, again is very good for pregnant women because it contains folic acid and vitamin B-9, which is recommended to be given to women since it helps in developing the baby’s nervous system and protects the baby from neurological disorders.
For those who want to lose weight and are always checking their diet, try to take in lots of guavas as it helps in weight loss. Guava contains less sugar, so it is also recommended for diabetic patients. The sugar content in oranges, apples and grapes is more than that of guava.
Tropical Almond is also a seasonal fruit that originated from Tropical Asia, Northern Australia, Polynesia and Malaysia. It belongs to the Combretaceae family. The scientific name for this fruit is “Terminalia catappa”. It is mostly loved by children because it drops off from the trees by itself, and children are mostly found picking up tropical almonds on the ground.
Tropical almond helps in promoting brain development, and as a result of this essential benefit, parents must encourage their children to eat tropical almond more to develop sharp brains. Research shows that the tropical almond fruit contains two important brain nutrients such as L-carnitine and riboflavin, which helps greatly in increasing brain activity, leading to new neural pathways and lowering the occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease.
This is also good for pregnant women because it contains folic acid, which is good for the baby in the womb. Tropical almonds sometimes do not have a sweet taste, but it is advisable for every pregnant woman to take in tropical almonds during peak season.
Tropical almond helps to reduce inflammation because the seed of the fruit contains oil which tends to reduce inflammation in the abdominal cavity. Almonds contain two very essential fatty acids, which include linoleic and linolenic acids. To avoid dry skin, take in many tropical almonds, and that will give you very soft and smooth skin.
