How African Star Apple Helps You Lose Weight

The amazing African Star Apple has many impressive health benefits which includes its vitamin content and weight control.

African Star Apple (agbalumo in Yoruba, udara in Igbo) is associated with the dry season and has been enjoyed over the years by Nigerians as a fruit. Being a season fruit it is best to consume whenever it is in season between December and April.

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According to Pulse.ng, Just like every other fruit offered by nature, Agbalumo or Udara as it is popularly known has some wonderful health benefits, such as preventing mouth gum disease, tackling of toothache as well as sour throat.

Unknown to most people, Agbalumo is an African fruit known in English as “African star apple.” It is popular across Africa for its sweet-sour taste and gummy skin.

The milky juice that comes out of it when squeezed or sucked is not only satisfying like the chewable skin, it is also legendary.

However, research has identified wonderful benefits of this small but mighty fruit.

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Here are some of the wonderful health benefits of Agbalumo;

1. It Helps Reduce Weight

As funny as this may sound it is what it is, agbalumo can be very useful when it comes to weight reduction.

Studies have shown that a serving of agbalumo contains just 67 calories, thus making it a good option for people with weight issues as they get fewer calories intake in the process of consuming it.

2. It Has High Vitamin C Content

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The benefits of vitamin C include protection against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, eye disease, and even skin wrinkling.

But unlike most mammals, the human body does not have what it takes to produce this vitamin and in other to enjoy its benefits, we’re advised to obtain it from our diet.

It is, therefore, interesting to know that Agbalumo is a wonderful source of vitamin C; 100g gram gives 25mg of vitamin C.

3. It Is a Natural Remedy

As mentioned earlier, Agbalumo is a natural remedy for toothache, constipation, sore throat, mouth gum disease and much more.

Herbal practitioners are also known to use the bark of the tree to treat yellow fever and malaria, while the leaves are useful for treating wounds, stomach-ache, and diarrhoea.

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Studies have it that the seeds are used to treat vaginal and skin infections in some part of the country.

4. It Is a Natural Anti-Oxidant

Antioxidants are substances such as vitamin C or E that removes potentially damaging oxidizing agents in a living organism. It can also be said to those substances that help protect our cells against the effects of free radicals.

Free radicals, on the other hand, are produced whenever the body breaks down food or is exposed to tobacco smoke and radiation.

Nevertheless, Agbalumo helps the body with a better chance of tackling any possibility of heart diseases and cancer; owing to anti-oxidants properties.

5. It Is Good For Pregnant Women

It is not a coincidence that Agbalumo is liked by some pregnant women. As a matter of fact, the acidic taste of Agbalumo help prevents the urge of vomiting during pregnancy.

Common issues like constipation, sore throat, and indigestion can be tackled by the sweet-sour taste of Agbalumo.

6. In some parts of Nigeria, the seed is used to treat skin infections. Also the bark of the tree according to research was used traditionally to treat yellow fever and malaria, while the leaf treated wounds, stomach ache, and diarrhoea. In some parts of Nigeria the seeds are used to treat vaginal and skin infections.

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