Why you should take agbalumo (African cherry)

Ever wonder if there is any reason for you to spend your token on the agbalumo fruit except for it sometimes irresistible sweet taste and sour feel in the mouth. By the time you are done reading this column, you will more than just mouth utility as a reason to consume agbalumo
The exotic fruit which has a chewable edible skin
that ranges in color from green to orange,
depending on the stage of ripeness. The tender,
sweet inner flesh is off-white with seeds making
the inner to look like a star-shaped fruit. This
obviously shows where it got the nickname ‘star
apple’. purple and white and has a star shape
formed by seeds through the middle of the fruit.
The beautiful fruit can be gotten mostly
everywhere in Nigeria towards the end of
November till later in March when it would have
gone out of season.
According to NurseRita, here are a few out of the
countless benefits of African Cherry:
Vitamins and Minerals
Star apples serve as a good source of calcium,
with each serving providing you with 10 percent
of the amount you require each day. The calcium
lends strength to your bones and teeth, and it
may also lessen symptoms of premenstrual
syndrome, such as cramping and abdominal
bloating. This fruit also contains 5 percent of the
daily recommended value per serving of vitamin C
and vitamin A. Additionally, one serving of star
apples serves up 2 percent of the iron, a mineral
vital for oxygenating your body, that you need
every day.
Helps Diabetic conditions
Star apples may have particular benefits for
diabetics. Research published in the September
2009 edition of the “African Journal of Pharmacy
and Pharmacology” indicates that the leaves of
this fruit may reduce glucose levels in diabetic
rabbits, the same function that insulin serves.
Take note, however, that consuming star apple
leaves appears to have a toxic affect when eaten
in large quantities. More research is needed to
determine the effectiveness of star apple leaves to
control diabetes in humans.
Medicinal Uses
The star apple is a folk remedy in several
countries, although no research exists to confirm
these uses. The seeds of this fruit may be useful
to reduce fevers and treat diarrhea. Some people
also eat this fruit to reduce the inflammation
associated with laryngitis and pneumonia. Other
uses, including treatment for hypertension, tooth
abscesses, heart problems, intestinal issues and
cancer exist, but do not eat star apple for any
medical condition without first consulting your
physician.
Helps You Lose Weight
Eating a serving of star apple contributes 3 g of
fiber to the recommended daily intake of 25 to 38
g. Fiber provides bulk to your diet, a factor that
can make your stomach feel fuller for longer. This
can keep you from eating too much, and it may
help you lose weight. This nutrient can also help
protect you from diabetes and some forms of
cancer.
All-Round Basic Nutrition
1-cup serving of fresh star apple contains 67
calories. Eating star apple as a snack is a good
choice as the calories are low and it provides no
fat; however, this may not be enough calories to
ease hunger pains and boost energy levels, as
between-meal snack are meant to do. The Diet
Channel notes that 100 to 200 calories per snack
is best; consider eating an oz. of cheese or a tsp.
of peanut butter to boost the number of calories
into this range. One serving of star apple also has
15 g of carbohydrates, or 11.5 percent of the 130
g suggested for daily consumption by the Institute
of Medicine.