Custard apple is an edible tropical fruit, and is also called sugar apple, sweetsop, atis, cherimoya, also known as Seetaphal in India. The custard apple fruit is rich in carbohydrates, mainly in the form of sugar, protein, calcium, phosphorus and iron. There are several reports about the antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic function of custard apple extracts and its active constituents.
Botanical Name: Annona reticulate
There are two main varieties of custard apples, the Pinks Mammoth and the African Pride and other varieties are Balanagar, Arka sahan, Barbados seedling, Kakarlapahad, British Guinea, Mahaboobnagar, Saharanpur local and Washington.
Custard apple seeds are well known for their interesting pharmacological activities especially for antitumor activity. It was found from a number of in vivo experiments in animals that the custard apple seed extract was effective in the treatment of leukemia, liver cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, cervical cancer, etc.
The leaves of the plants have been used as an insecticide, anthelmintic and in the healing of bleeding wounds. Unripe and dried Fruits are used as antidysenteric. Bark act as powerful astringent, antidysenteric and vermifuge.
Root Bark, leaves and stems are sources of many isoquinoline alkaloids. Powdered seeds can also be used to kill head-lice and fleas.
Nutritional Profile
Due to a class of compounds called acetogenins which are specific to Annonaceae species. Acetogenins have been tested in vitro against 60 types of cancer cells, including breast, prostate and colon.
MAIN THING: Eating Custard apple to preventing cancer or at least preventing the spread of cancerous cells to other parts of the body.
Despite its huge sugar content the glycemic index of custard apple is low. The fruit has antioxidant activity and making it suitable even for diabetic patients.
In antidiabetic studies on animals, custard apple appears to mimic insulin stimulating its production and enhanced uptake of glucose by muscles which leads to stabilization of blood sugar concentrations. In fact, even leaf extracts are also effective in lowering blood glucose levels and several reports indicates that Annona squamosa leaf extract can substitute effectively with decreased doses of externally administered insulin.
MAIN THING: Fruit and leaf extract has antioxidant activities which manage the diabetes
Researcher says pretreatment with pulp of custard apple decreased the myocardial damage. Due to the magnesium content in custard apples helps defend the heart from cardiac attack and can help relax the muscles.
Moreover, vitamin B6 in custard apples help prevent homocysteine collection which also minimize the risk of heart diseases.Custard apple has anti dyslipidemic action is significant in prevention of cardiovascular morbidity.
MAIN THING
: Custard apple consists of well-balanced ratio of sodium and potassium which helps to regulates and controls blood pressure fluctuations and keep heart healthy
Batter Digestion
Custard apples are a good source of dietary fibers which plays a very important role in keeping our digestive system healthy and for providing relief from constipation.
This is because it regulates the bowel movement and ensures smooth elimination of waste out of the body. In this way, dietary fibers help in providing relief from constipation and reduce the risk of various gastric problems like heartburn, indigestion, acidity etc.
MAIN THING
: Required amount of Dietary fibers in custard apple gives you healthy Digestive system
Anti-infective
The fruit of Annona spp. have been shown to have anti-microbial activities due to several compounds which include Ent-kauranes, Acetogenins, essential oils and Benzylisoquinolines alkaloids. There are also reports of chemicals which are also active against Candida albicans, proteus etc.
MAIN THING: Eating a custard apple may reduce the risk of infection.
The fruit contain compounds like 16,17-dihydroxy-entkauran-19-oic acid showed significant activity against HIV replication in H9 lymphocyte cells.
MAIN THING: custard apple may help to treat against HIV show in some studies.
Custard apple has been used for treatment of malaria.
Three known aporphine alkaloids were isolated from the bark. Structures of compounds were identified as N-Nitrosoxylopine, Roemerolidine and Duguevalline. All the three antimalarial alkaloids exhibit moderate activity against chloroquine sensitive strain and a chloroquine resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum.
MAIN THING: Anti-malarial properties Due to Alkaloids specific to Custard apple.
For eye-sight, Beta-carotene with other nutrients, antioxidants, riboflavin and vitamin C which are presence in Custard apple which suggested to aid in fighting free-radical destruction brought on to the cells. And lowering your risk of macular degeneration and slowing the advance of cataracts.
MAIN THING: Regular consumption of Custard apple can help boost vision
Some researcher found in Studies that High amount of magnesium equalizes the water balance in the body and eliminates acids from the joint and decreasing the symptoms of rheumatism and arthritis.
Due to anti-inflammatory properties, meaning that it can help to soothe the pain of arthritis.
Decent amount of calcium in Custard apple, which is vital for bone health.
MAIN THING
: Regular consumption of custard apple helps to fight muscle weakness and Lower the Risk of Arthritis.
Rich amount of vitamin C in custard apple, which is a distinctive anti-inflammatory and immune boosting properties and it prevents harmful free radicals in the body
MAIN THING: Custard apple in your daily diet will provides better resistance against infectious agents and Better Immune System
Vitamin C in custard apple fights free radicals in the body, providing a healthy, flawless and glowing skin.
Polyphenolic antioxidants in custard apple, stimulates the collagen to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. This can help to eliminate the signs of aging, and age spots, as well as increasing skin elasticity to reduce the signs of aging. The antioxidants fight the harsh rays of the sun, protecting from sun damage.
MAIN THING: Regular consumption a custard apple, delays ageing and keeps skin younger
Hair care
The high amount of iron in custard apple recovers blood circulation in the scalp, stimulating the follicles to promote hair growth. It inhibits scalp inflammation, avoiding hair fall. It also facilitates the absorption of nutrients, providing nutrition to the hair.
MAIN THING: Custard apple rich in mineral content and vitamin C which are responsible for Better Hair Growth
Custard apple is a calorie-laden fruit, the sugars contained in it make peps up the metabolic rate, therefore, motivating the appetite levels.
MAIN THING: Custard apple motivates your appetite, the better the food intake, in turn, helps you gain weight.
Safety Profile
Custard apples are Safe for most people
Warnings & precautions
Custard Apple Seed carnal is toxic. Sap may cause eye irritation
Interaction
If you are suffering from high blood pressure, and you consume the custard apple, that helps in providing relief from high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems etc. However, eating them along with medication could worsen the situation.
Too Much Fiber: Stomach problems like diarrhea, malabsorption, constipation, intestinal blockage, intestinal gas etc
Too Much Weight Gain: Many health complications like increased risk of cardiovascular problems like heart attack, heart stroke, irregular heartbeat etc.
Hyperkalemia: It can drop down the blood pressure to a dangerously low level and give rise to problems like dizziness, fainting, dehydration, lack of concentration, blurred vision, nausea, shallow breathing etc
Iron Overdose Complications: It may damage stomach and intestinal ulcers, intestinal inflammation such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, thalassemia etc.
Best season is Autumn Winter. Selecting custard apples they are best bought when hard to avoid bruising and loss of quality in transport.
Custard apples ripen at room temperature. When ripe, the skin can turn a dull green or on occasions, appear yellow
To fast track the ripening process, place the fruit in a brown paper bag with a banana and leave at room temperature.
Shelf life of custard apples is to short, so buy small quantities more frequently.
The ideal temperature to ripen custard apples is between 18 and 24 degrees Celsius (fruit will not ripen below 14 degrees). During winter time store fruit in a warm area and cover to retain warmth.
Sliced fruit or pulp can be refrigerated for up to 5 days, keep in an airtight container to prevent browning.
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