4 things to avoid harming your health when eating custard apple.
Custard apple has many health benefits; however, we need to eat it correctly to maximize its advantages and avoid unwanted side effects.
Health benefits of custard apple
According to Dr. Phung Tuan Giang, Chairman of the Vietnam Institute for Research and Development of Traditional Medicine, custard apple is a fruit with a unique flavor and potential health benefits. Custard apples ripen in the autumn, from late July to early October.Annona squamosa) belongs to the Annonaceae family.
Researchers have discovered that different parts of the custard apple tree possess a diverse range of bioactive compounds with high levels of polyphenols and alkaloids, which are used in folk medicine to treat eye, heart, skin, and digestive problems.
Custard apples are not only delicious but also have nutritional value and health benefits.
Custard apple offers many health benefits. Photo: Healthline
"Nutritionally, custard apple contains carbohydrates, including a high amount of soluble fiber, protein, small amounts of fat, vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, riboflavin, thiamine, folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, manganese, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, and iron. 100 grams of custard apple pulp provides the body with approximately 70-80 calories," said Traditional Medicine Practitioner Giang.
According to experts, the benefits of custard apple come from its high content of antioxidants, fiber, and micronutrients. It has anti-inflammatory properties and nutrients that are important for cardiovascular, digestive, and cognitive health.
Similarly according tographlineCustard apples are rich in antioxidants, which fight free radicals in the body. High levels of free radicals can cause oxidative stress, which is linked to many chronic diseases, including cancer and heart disease.
Certain compounds in na—including kaurenoic acid, flavonoids, carotenoids, and vitamin C—have powerful antioxidant effects.
An in-tube study showed that both the peel and the pulp are excellent sources of antioxidants, with compounds in the peel particularly effective in preventing oxidative damage. However, note that you should avoid eating the custard apple peel due to health concerns.
Additionally, custard apples contain many nutrients that help regulate blood pressure, such as potassium and magnesium. Both potassium and magnesium increase the elasticity of blood vessels, thereby helping to lower blood pressure. High blood pressure can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Some compounds in custard apple may help fight cancer. Custard apple contains flavonoids including catechin, epicatechin, and epigallocatechin, which have been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells in in-tube studies.
One study showed that treating bladder cancer with epicatechin resulted in significantly less cell growth and multiplication compared to cells that did not receive this flavonoid.
Another in-tube study observed that certain catechins—including those found in custard apple—inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells by up to 100%.
Furthermore, studies have also shown that people who consume diets rich in flavonoids have a lower risk of developing certain types of cancer—such as stomach and colon cancer—than those with diets low in these compounds.
Custard apple contains small amounts of toxic compounds in its seeds and peel. Photo: Kha Van
Eating custard apples the right way for good health.
Although custard apple offers impressive health benefits, it contains small amounts of toxic compounds.
Custard apple and other fruits in the Annona genus contain annonacin, a toxin that can affect your brain and nervous system. All parts of the custard apple tree may contain annonacin, but it is most concentrated in the seeds and peel.
To enjoy custard apple and minimize exposure to annonacin, remove and discard the seeds and peel before eating.
Below are some tips from Traditional Medicine Practitioner Giang on how to safely eat custard apples:
ButChoose the best custard apple.
You should choose custard apples that are large, round, with big eyes, white spaces between the eyes, a small stem, soft and ripe without cracks, and no black spots on the skin. It's best to buy custard apples from a reputable source, preferably organic. Avoid custard apples with many white scales, cracks, or that are leaking juice; these are often rotten and infested with maggots.
ButDo not bite or crush the custard apple seeds.
When eating custard apple, people should not bite or crush the seeds because the seeds are toxic. Custard apple seeds contain substances such as squamosten A, anoslin, neo-desacetyluvaricin, neo-anonin-B, neo-relicsulatacin A, squamocins, squamostatins, etc.
If you accidentally swallow a seed, there's no need to worry too much, as the thick, hard shell surrounding the custard apple seed prevents the seed from releasing toxins. However, caution should be exercised when eating custard apples, as swallowed seeds can cause choking.
ButYou should only eat one custard apple a day.
According to traditional medicine, custard apple has a sweet and sour taste and a warm nature. Eating too much can cause heat in the body, constipation, and acne. You should eat it as a snack instead of sugary cakes, candies, and fast food.
ButDo not use other parts of the custard apple tree without permission.
Custard apple has been used for a very long time, and everyone knows about its nutritional benefits. However, other parts of the plant, from the seeds, leaves, stems, and roots, also have many pharmacological effects such as cytotoxicity to cancer cells, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties. These effects are currently being studied by science.
However, because they are toxic, people should not use them without consulting a doctor.
