8 Surprising Benefits of Cherimoya (Custard Apple)
- Dietitian.Lauren Hmede
- Apr 11, 2019
- 2 min read
Cherimoya (Annona cherimola) is a green, cone-shaped fruit with scaly skin and creamy, sweet flesh. It is mainly grown in areas with high attitudes.
It has a creamy texture and it is known as custard apple. It is often eaten with spoon and served chilled like custard. It has a sweet taste like other tropical fruits such as bananas and pineapple.
Cherimoya is rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals moreover it boosts immunity, fight inflammation and promote eye and heart health.
However, certain parts of cherimoya contain toxins which damage nervous system when consumed in high amounts.
Health benefits:
It is rich in antioixdants especially vitamin C and carotenoids which fight free radicals and boost immunity.
Cherimoya contains over 30% of the RDI for vitamin B6, a nutrient that regulates mood and may help prevent depression.
It promotes eye health and protect against conditions that lead to poor eye sight as it contains lutein.
It contains magnesium and potassium, two nutrients that support healthy blood pressure levels.
It is very high in fibre which is responsible for promoting normal digestion and fight inflammatory digestive conditions.
It is rich in flavonoid antioxidants that have been shown to prevent the growth of cancer cells in test-tube studies. That said, human research is needed.
It contains multiple anti-inflammatory compounds, such as kaurenoic acid, catechin, and epicatechin. Decreasing your levels of chronic inflammation may reduce disease risk.
Side effects:
Cherimoya and other tropical fruits in the Annona family contain a toxin that affects your nervous system and has been linked to atypical Parkinson’s disease. You may want to avoid this fruit if you have a nervous system condition.
Preperation method:
Prepare cherimoya by removing the skin and seeds, then slicing or scooping out the flesh. It’s easy to mix it into breakfast foods, snacks, and sweet treats.
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