Ciku, Boosting Energy

About Ciku

The fruit Ciku has an exceptionally sweet and delicious flavor along with lots of nutritional values. Ciku is one of the best fruits to provide quick energy as it’s loaded with fructose and sucrose and regarded as a natural boosting energy food.

The fleshy, brown fruit is the size of a small tomato and has the flavor and texture of cinnamon, apple, and pear. The fruits are very astringent when young and must be fully ripened and soft to be eaten. The latex of the sapodilla plant is also the source of chicle, the chewing gum of the Aztecs.

Origin

Ciku thought to have originated in the Central American rain forests, probably in Mexico and Belize. Today, its cultivation has spread all over the tropical belt and grown as a major commercial crop in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The tree is one of fast growing, wind and drought resistant, and it flourishes well even under dry arid regions receiving scanty rains. However, water irrigation during summer would result in good fruit yields.

Health Benefits

• Ciku is rich in dietary fiber, may be used as a good natural laxative. Being having acceptable fiber, it helps to aid in digestion thus relieves from indigestion and constipation.
• Ciku contains Tannin, a powerful antioxidant that acts as anta-acid and contends free radicals. Tannins are effective against many diseases ant acts as antiviral, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-parasitic.
• Ciku is gifted with minerals such as potassium, copper, iron, folate, niacin, and pantothenic acid which are good for many metabolic body activities.
• Sapodilla is having vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin B complex. These vitamins and antioxidants boost immunity of the body and also good for hair and skin.
• Vitamin E in Ciku has a chemical compound alpha-tocopherol that might reduce the risk of developing heart diseases.
• Vitamin C helps to improve your immunity and also protect you from gout and cataracts. Vitamin C, also good to provide shining skin.
• The presence of vitamin is beneficial for vision. It also helpful for lungs.
• Boiled Semi-liquid of Chico skin may be given to children to control loose motion. The ingredient is also beneficial in case of fever.

Reference:

http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/sapodilla.html

http://www.encyclopedia.com/plants-and-animals/plants/plants/sapodilla

http://www.gyanunlimited.com/health/health-benefits-of-Ciku-sapodilla/6053/