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| African star Apple (Agbalumo) |
Nigerians,
particular Lagosians are familiar with the indigenous fruit known as
'agbalumo' in Yoruba and 'Udara' in Igbo. It is a round, orangish fruit, about
the size of a tennis ball -at times bigger. But interestingly, other than the
local name, little or nothing is known about this fruit by most of its
consumers. By the time you finished reading through this article, it will amaze
you what interesting and educative information you will
gather.
When ripe, the fruit has a tender, sweet & tart tasting
inner flesh which is also dark red/orange in colour again depending on stage of
ripeness. The fruit also possesses a cluster of about 5 large seeds stuck
together in the shape of a star. The seeds have a shiny hard brown casing which
feels like plastic and are covered with a cream-ish white fibrous sweet
membrane.
Agbalumo is a seasonal fruit and in Nigeria, you find them at every market in urban and rural towns particularity in the months of December to April when they are in season. Traditionally, the fruits are not harvested from the trees, but left to drop naturally to the ground before they are picked. They are rarely used in cooking but rather, when ripe, they are eaten raw as snacks.
The star apple tree secretes a whitish sap/latex which gives the pulp/flesh a chewing-gum like texture!
Agbalumo is a seasonal fruit and in Nigeria, you find them at every market in urban and rural towns particularity in the months of December to April when they are in season. Traditionally, the fruits are not harvested from the trees, but left to drop naturally to the ground before they are picked. They are rarely used in cooking but rather, when ripe, they are eaten raw as snacks.
The star apple tree secretes a whitish sap/latex which gives the pulp/flesh a chewing-gum like texture!
Scientific Name: Chrysophyllum Albidum
English Name: African Star Apple
Properties: Sub-spherical in shape, about 3cm in
diameter, usually 5-celled and contain an edible, sweet fruit-pulp.
Found in: low land rain forest zones and
villages.
Medicinal Uses of African Star Apple
1.
Excellent
source of vitamins, irons, flavours to diets
2.
Good remedies
for sore-throat, tooth-ache, constipation, and much more.
A recent study
by researchers at the Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and
Technology, Covenant University Ogun State in Nigeria showed that the local
cherry fruit, African star apple (Agbalumo, Udara) lowered blood sugar and
cholesterol, and could be useful in preventing and treating heart diseases.
Previous studies indicate that the roots, barks and leaves of agbalumo or udara have been employed in folk medicine for the treatment of diseases.
Previous studies indicate that the roots, barks and leaves of agbalumo or udara have been employed in folk medicine for the treatment of diseases.
- Bark: Used for the treatment of yellow fever and malaria.
- Leaf: Used as an emollient and for the treatment of skin eruption, stomachache and diarrhea.
- The cotyledons: The cotyledons from the seeds of agbalumo are used as ointments in the treatment of vaginal and dermatological.
So when next you see agbalumo in the market, do
yourself a world of good by buying some. And if you're already a fan, now you
have more reasons to eat more.
MORE MEDICINAL BENEFITS OF
AGBALUMO
Nutritional
Profile:
Star apples are a rich source of calcium, with each serving providing up to 10% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA). This fruit also contains good amounts of vitamins A and C (higher, in fact than levels found in oranges or guava). Star apples are also quite rich in iron (a mineral the body needs daily).
According to a report published by the African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, the leaves of the star apple tree and to some extent the flesh of the fruit itself, possess some chemical nutrients which have similar properties to insulin found in the body, and believed to effectively reduce blood sugar levels. This property makes the leaves/fruits useful medically, for the treatment of type two diabetes though further research is being carried out.
Some other traditional uses/remedies of the star apples (including fruits, leaves and bark) includes:
Star apples are a rich source of calcium, with each serving providing up to 10% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA). This fruit also contains good amounts of vitamins A and C (higher, in fact than levels found in oranges or guava). Star apples are also quite rich in iron (a mineral the body needs daily).
According to a report published by the African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, the leaves of the star apple tree and to some extent the flesh of the fruit itself, possess some chemical nutrients which have similar properties to insulin found in the body, and believed to effectively reduce blood sugar levels. This property makes the leaves/fruits useful medically, for the treatment of type two diabetes though further research is being carried out.
Some other traditional uses/remedies of the star apples (including fruits, leaves and bark) includes:
- Reduction of inflammation associated with laryngitis (sore throat) and pneumonia
- Treatment for hypertension & heart problems
- Antibacterial properties useful in the relief of tooth abscesses, intestinal/stomach upset, skin infection and diarrhoea.
Weight control:
Star apples are rich in dietary fibre. Eating up to 3-5 fruits can give a feeling of being full and keep dieters from over-eating and consequently controlling calorie/food intake thereby helping to control/manage weight.
Nutritional Data (100g of pulp/flesh only)
Calorie - 61 kcal
Carbohydrate of which sugars) - 11g
Protein - 2g
Fat - 0g
Fibre - 3g
Vitamins: - A, C
Minerals: - Iron, Calcium
Star apples are rich in dietary fibre. Eating up to 3-5 fruits can give a feeling of being full and keep dieters from over-eating and consequently controlling calorie/food intake thereby helping to control/manage weight.
Nutritional Data (100g of pulp/flesh only)
Calorie - 61 kcal
Carbohydrate of which sugars) - 11g
Protein - 2g
Fat - 0g
Fibre - 3g
Vitamins: - A, C
Minerals: - Iron, Calcium
Agbalumo has an
‘English name’ o! (or maybe two). And it is the African Star Apple or White
Star Apple. I used to think it was a cherry of sort; thanks to research, I know
better…
Ever heard of African Star Apple? What about White Star Apple? Maybe not! Okay, here’s another name that may ring a bell: Agbalumo!
And if you are still wondering what it is, Agbalumo, is that round, sharp tasting, orange- coloured (sometimes red) fruit about the size of a table-tennis ball. Commonly known as Agbalumo by the Yorubas' in South-West Nigeria, Udara in the South Eastern part of the country and Uda in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria, the fruit is widely loved by both adults and children alike in Nigeria; its sharp taste notwithstanding. Let’s settle for its most predominant name in the South Western part of Nigeria – Agbalumo – at least for the purpose of this article.
Its popularity is not the only unique thing about it. Agbalumo also happens to be a very nutritious fruit. It is an excellent source of vitamins and irons. It can be used as a good remedy for sore throat, toothache and constipation.
But that’s not all. Agbalumo lowers the blood sugar and cholesterol level in the body and it helps in preventing and treating heart diseases. Its seeds are used as ointments in the treatment of vaginal and dermatological infections. They are also an excellent source of calcium, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium and many more. And just in case you don’t know, the fruit contains more vitamin C than guava or orange.
Its nutritional value does not end there. Its outer skin is also very medicinal as it is used for the treatment of yellow fever and malaria. The leaf is also used as an emollient and for the treatment of skin eruption, stomach ache and diarrhea.
Ever heard of African Star Apple? What about White Star Apple? Maybe not! Okay, here’s another name that may ring a bell: Agbalumo!
And if you are still wondering what it is, Agbalumo, is that round, sharp tasting, orange- coloured (sometimes red) fruit about the size of a table-tennis ball. Commonly known as Agbalumo by the Yorubas' in South-West Nigeria, Udara in the South Eastern part of the country and Uda in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria, the fruit is widely loved by both adults and children alike in Nigeria; its sharp taste notwithstanding. Let’s settle for its most predominant name in the South Western part of Nigeria – Agbalumo – at least for the purpose of this article.
Its popularity is not the only unique thing about it. Agbalumo also happens to be a very nutritious fruit. It is an excellent source of vitamins and irons. It can be used as a good remedy for sore throat, toothache and constipation.
But that’s not all. Agbalumo lowers the blood sugar and cholesterol level in the body and it helps in preventing and treating heart diseases. Its seeds are used as ointments in the treatment of vaginal and dermatological infections. They are also an excellent source of calcium, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium and many more. And just in case you don’t know, the fruit contains more vitamin C than guava or orange.
Its nutritional value does not end there. Its outer skin is also very medicinal as it is used for the treatment of yellow fever and malaria. The leaf is also used as an emollient and for the treatment of skin eruption, stomach ache and diarrhea.
So the next time
you pick up Agbalumo, remember that you are not only satisfying your craving
for the delicious fruit, you are also providing your body with vital nutrition.
And if you haven’t had your Agbalumo today, what are you waiting for? The raining
season is here and it is Agbalumo time!
So, now you
have more reasons to eat African star apple 