In English, it is called African
Star Apple or White Star Apple.
Local Name: Agbalumo (Yoruba language) or Udara (Igbo language)
Botanical Name: Chrysophyllum Albidum
Local Name: Agbalumo (Yoruba language) or Udara (Igbo language)
Botanical Name: Chrysophyllum Albidum
African star apple or white star apple is a
dark yellowish fruit with semi-circle seeds. It is a popular seasonal fruit, normally consumed
with it flesh in the West Africa region.
The season of white star apple (Agbalumo or Udara) is here again. Every where you go, you will find children and adults, enjoying the taste of this great indigenous Western African fruit. White star apple belongs to the Sapotaceae family.
The season of white star apple (Agbalumo or Udara) is here again. Every where you go, you will find children and adults, enjoying the taste of this great indigenous Western African fruit. White star apple belongs to the Sapotaceae family.
It also an excellent source of
vitamins and irons, adding a nutritious, flavor to diet.
A recent research was carried out
about the locally and popular African star apple, showing that it has lower blood
sugar and cholesterol. Its fleshy pulp is often eaten as a snack and it is
equally common in both the urban and rural areas, particularly around Southern
Nigeria. Being a seasonal fruit (produces during the dry season between
December and April), it is highly nutritional and can serve
a lot in many ways.
1.
As with most fruits, it has low
calorie because of its little fat content so it is definitely a healthy food.
2.
The flesh is helpful in preventing
and treating diseases
such as diabetes, heart diseases, infections and drug resistant bacteria.
3.
The
bark of the tree according to researcher was used traditionally to treat yellow
fever and malaria, while the leaf treated wounds, stomach ache, and diarrhea.
4.
It is a superb snack, and because of
its high fibre content, provides food bulk which both increases satiety and
aids digestion so it is very ideal for weight watchers.
5.
It has a surprisingly decent amount
of Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C). Vitamin C
sources are not exclusive to the citrus fruits family- in fact, guava and
orange have much more. The
fruit is also rich in calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium,
tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phytochemicals.
6.
The
agbalumo/udara is a natural remedy for toothache, constipation, sore throat,
and much more. Also in some parts of Nigeria, the seeds are used to treat
vaginal and skin infection.
7.
The fruit is known to have anti-oxidant
properties that help fight cancer and treatment of diabetes.
8. It
could serve as a natural source of Anti-Oxidant booster to remove free radicals
from oxidative stress disorders, and its leaf extract contains Hypoglycemic (to
treat Diabetes) and Anti-Platelet activities, although it also had toxic
effects on some organs.
Nutrient Content per 100g edible Udara/Agbalumo pulp:
Energy (Kcal) 91.09
Carbohydrate (g) 10.49
Protein (g) 6.99
Vitamin C (mg) 25
Fat (g) 2.49
Moisture (g) 73
Fat (g) 2.49
Moisture (g) 73
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