Table of Content

• 9 Health benefits of Custard Apple

• 4 Side effects of Custard Apple

• How to consume Custard Apples?

• Take home points

• FAQ on Custard Apples

Introduction

Custard apple or Seethaphal is a tropical fruit that has leathery skin with creamy flesh. They are called ‘custard’ because of their sweet white flesh. They are also popular in colloquial names like Shareefa fruit or Sitaphal fruit. For so many years, the benefits of eating custard apples were hailed for their various preventive and curative properties. The health benefits of custard apples have so much to offer for humanity as they are rich in antioxidants and other nutrients. These custard benefits are mostly attributed to high fibres, vitamins and minerals. Dive in here to know more about the custard apple health benefits!

9 Health benefits of Custard Apple

Many people affected with chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and PCOS remain suspicious about the benefits of eating custard apples due to their high sugar content. So, is custard apple good for health? Yes, it is! The benefits of custard apples are even true to people affected with chronic lifestyle diseases. The health benefits of custard apples are attributed to various health-promoting nutrients and compounds.

Some of the most often pronounced benefits of custard apple are listed below.

1. Improves Cardiac Health

We have staggering numbers of people dying from cardiac arrests or cardiac failures each year. The heart has become the most vulnerable organ due to bad lifestyle and food choices. So, if you are on the way to taking care of your heart, add custard apples to your list! One of the topmost health benefits of custard apple is its role in protecting and promoting heart health. Custard apples are rich in magnesium and potassium which make them the best food for strengthening heart muscles and the nervous system. Not only this, Sitaphal benefits extend even in preventing the formation of bad cholesterol thereby reducing artery blockages and heart failures.

2. Prevents Cancer

Cancer is one of such diseases for which we are still searching for an alchemist to make a miracle medicine! So, the best way is always to prevent it. The benefits of custard apple extend to preventing cancer due to the presence of components like tannins (in barks) and flavonoids (in fruits). 

3. Scavenge free radicals

Free radicals are the deadliest enemies of almost all organs and also are the primary reason behind almost all chronic diseases! The benefits of custard apple are also its ability to scavenge these free radicals due to their antioxidant properties. These health benefits of eating custard apples are attributed to the antioxidants like carotenoids, vitamin C, flavonoids, kaurenoic acid and other alkaloids.

4. Promotes eye health

The benefits of eating custard apples also include their role in providing a clear vision and better eyesight. The antioxidant properties help in preventing tissue damage, thereby protecting our vision. Along with this, the presence of B complex vitamins, vitamin C and lutein are also attributed to these benefits. 

5. Aids creating Better Brains

Better brains are driving our world by powerful innovations and sophisticated technologies. But some of us are still plagued with mental illnesses like depression and anxiety. We have got good news right here! According to researchers, one of the health benefits of custard apple includes easing our mental health disorders. It works on our brains to optimise any possible chemical imbalances and enhances our mood. Other than this, it also reduces the incidence of popular brain disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

6. Helps in putting on some pounds

Some people are trying to put on some weight to get into their desired shape. Instead of choosing unhealthy snacks for putting on weight, you can choose apple custard. Besides the abundant health benefits of custard apple, it is packed with healthy calories. The benefits of custard apples don't stop with that! It also reduces sugar cravings from unhealthy processed sugars which are the actual culprits of many modern lifestyle diseases.

7. Adds  glow to the skin

Trying different face packs for ever-glowing skin? Now also include custard apples in your diet for amplifying your results. The health benefits of custard apples also include adding a better glow and vigour to your skin. It stimulates collagen formation, reduces wrinkles, prevents dark spots and provides youthful skin. 

8. Prevents Anaemia

Anaemia is often blamed for low haemoglobin count and increased fatigue. One of the other health benefits of custard apple is its role in preventing anaemia and due to this, they are known as haematinic or expectorant. They prevent anaemia due to their efficiency in optimising circulatory health. 

9. Lowers risk of arthritis

Many people, especially the older generation, are suffering from constant knee pains and stiffness due to arthritis. So, the next benefit of eating custard apple is its ability to lower the incidence of arthritis and to aid in fighting muscle weakness. These amazing benefits of custard apples are due to the presence of magnesium which optimises the water balance and prevents acid formation in knee joints.

4 Side effects of Custard Apple

Even though there are several health benefits of eating custard apples, they have their negative sides when we over-consume them. 

1. Obesity

Since custard apples are loaded with calories, they can disrupt your weight loss goals. Even though they have a very low glycemic index, too much consumption can cause obesity and other related illnesses.

2. Too much fibre content

Though fibres are very good for health, overconsumption can lead to poor absorption of nutrients and cause gastric issues like bloating. 

3. Minerals overdose

People with hypotension should avoid custard apples as they can lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. The extreme cases of low blood pressure can cause dizziness, fainting and dehydration. 

4. Toxicity from custard seeds

Custard apple seeds are extremely unhealthy to your skin and especially the eyes. It can cause allergic reactions in your skin and can even cause blindness to your eyes.

How to consume Custard Apples?

Since custard apple is a tasty fruit, it goes well with so many dishes. Among Indians, custard apples are popular as sabzi, kheer, tea cakes and smoothies. Just make sure to add less processed sugars whenever you are making any custard apple recipes. 

Take home points

• The benefits of custard apples are boundless due to the presence of various antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that can boost your overall health and improve your lifestyle. 

• Some of the health benefits of custard apple include improving cardiac health, preventing cancer, scavenging free radicals, promoting eye health, aiding in brain health, helping in weight gain, adding glow to the skin, preventing anaemia and easing arthritis. 

• Even though the benefits of eating custard apple are abundant, there are some side effects to its overconsumption like obesity, bloating and toxicity. 

• Custard apples can be consumed as sabzi, Kheer, tea cakes or smoothies. 

We hope that we have made our best efforts from our end in educating you about the health benefits of custard apples. Find some of the most common FAQs regarding the benefits of custard apples below.

References

• International Journal of Food and Allied Sciences

• International Journal of Chemical studies

• Springer