HEALTH BENEFITS OF CHIKOO (SAPOTA)

HEALTH BENEFITS OF

CHIKOO (SAPOTA)

The chickoo or chikoo fruit as it is known in the Asian subcontinent is elsewhere called the sapodilla (plum) or sapota. It originated in Yucatan, Mexico, Eastern Guatemala and Belize. The Spanish explorers took it to the Philippines and from there it spread through Asia.Generally, Chikoo is known by the people as chikoo. Most of the people are not familiar by the name of chikoo as “Sapota”. Chikoo is very yummy, sweet, delicate and calorie loaded fruit belongs to the category of mango, banana or jack. Chikoo is also famous as Noseberry, Mudapples, Sapodilla plum and Chickoo Sapota.Sapodilla is easily available in many countries like Central America, Southern Mexico, the Caribbean, Vietnam, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bangladesh, Maldives, Indonesia, Belize and India. When it is unripe it has very hard surface and white pulp because of the high latex content. Its latex content gradually lessens as it ripens. It contains simple sugars such as the fructose and sucrose which are the source of energy in it. It grows in hot climate and takes around 5 to 8 years to get mature. Chikoo tree yields chikoo fruit two times a year.

This brown colored fruit contain 2 to 5 black and shiny seeds in the middle portion. It promotes good health when eaten with skin. It can also be taken as milkshakes, juice or ice creams. Somewhere it is used to make syrup for medicinal purpose.Earlier I was not used of eating chikoo, but when I know its nutritional benefits, immediately I started eating chikoo in its seasons and felt its all beneficial aspects on my own.Chikoo fruit is very beneficial to your eyes as it is the good source of Vitamin A which naturally aids in improving your eye vision even in the old ages.It revitalizes the body through its high energy content like fructose and sucrose which supply instant energy.

Chikoo fruit is very effective anti inflammatory agent because of its high tannins content. It helps in improving the health of digestive tract by preventing variety of inflammations like esophagitis, irritable bowel syndrome, enteritis and gastritis.Sapodilla is very good source of antioxidants, dietary fibers and nutrients (Vitamins A and B) which helps in preventing certain types of cancers (lung cancer, oral cavity cancer and etc) in the body by binding the carcinogens. Its vitamins contents maintain the health of mucus linings in the body and so the skin texture.Chikoo makes your bones healthy and powerful as it contains minerals like calcium, phosphorus, iron and etc required to maintain the bone endurance.Chikoo fruit is dietary fibers (works as laxative) rich fruit thus aids in relieving constipation. It nourishes the colon’s membrane by making it resistant to the infections.Chikoo fruit has haemostatic property means assists in stopping blood loss during piles or other injuries. The paste of its seeds can be applied on the areas of insect bites to get instant relief.It also has the anti-parasitic, anti viral and anti bacterial property as it has the polyphenolic antioxidants which prevent the bacteria to grow or enter into the human body.

Sapota plant in Kurakar Gardens

Chikoo is rich in Vitamin C which rejuvenates the body by destroying free radicals and boosting the immunity.The other content like potassium, folate, iron, niacin and pantothenic acid assist in appropriate working of digestive system.Chikoo fruit works as a great anti diarrheal home remedy because of its purgative property. It also provides relief from the piles and dysentery.Chikoo plays a great role in improving the mental health because of being an effective sedative. It calms down the nerves and ease stress. It is proved as the most beneficial fruit for the person suffering from the depression, insomnia or anxiety.Eating chikoo helps to get relief from the severe cold and chronic cough by eliminating the phlegm and mucus from nasal and respiratory tract.The seeds of the chikoo fruit work as a diuretic and helps in removing the bladder and kidney stones. It provides protection against other kidney diseases as well.

Eating chikoo regularly controls the gastric enzymes secretions and metabolism process and thus assists in weight loss and prevents obesity.It works as a good detoxifying agent and diuretic which helps in eliminating the body waste materials through frequent urination. It maintains the body water concentration thus prevents the occurrence of edemas (water retention) in the body.Sapodilla helps in curing the tooth cavities as its high latex content is used to fill the tooth cavities.The magnesium content of the chikoo makes the blood vessels healthy and potassium content helps in regulating the blood pressure and blood circulation.The folate and iron contents of it prevent the occurrence of anemia.A paste prepared by mixing the chikoo flowers and chikoo fruits provides relief as well as prevents the pulmonary problems.Chikoo fruit also works as an antispasmodic as it provides relief from pains and muscle spasms.

It is considered as the high energetic fruit for the pregnant and lactating mother because of its high carbohydrates and nutrients contents.It reduces the weakness in pregnant women by offering instant energy and provides relief from the pregnancy symptoms like nausea and dizziness.Eating chikoo regularly provide all the essential nutrients required to maintain the healthy hair.The oil extracts from the chikoo seeds moisturizes and softens the hair by nourishing the scalp and relieving the skin irritation.The paste of chikoo seeds and castor oil is applied on the scalp to get rid of the dandruff.Because of the high contents of minerals, vitamins and antioxidants of chikoo, it makes the skin healthy and glowing by maintaining the natural texture and complexion of the skin.Its Vitamin E content moisturizes the skin and thus makes beautiful.The antioxidants property of chikoo works against the early ageing by fighting with the wrinkles and free radicals (which enhances the ageing process).The seed kernel oil of chikoo works as the best skin ointment.The milky juice of chikoo plant is very effective in removing the skin warts and fungal growth.

As chikoo milkshake is prepared by mixing with milk, it has increased its energy, vitamins and minerals levels. It is very tasty and delicious shake when prepared using appropriate amount of both.Chikoo juice is also very energetic and full of all the nutrients provides instant energy by fighting fatigue and weakness.It can be given to the new age group kids, infants and babies and can be started from 6 to 8 months of age. Some of the benefits for kids are:It is the good source of vitamins which is very necessary for the infants and toddlers for their physical and mental growth. It boosts the immune system, proper eyesight, brain development, lipid metabolism, increase hemoglobin level, proper cell division and helps in carrying out many other activities.It is the good source of minerals like iron, folates, calcium,magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper, phosphorous, selenium and etc which are very essential for facilitating various body functions including proper bone growth.It supplies them lots of antioxidants to fight with the free radicals of metabolism.It has antimicrobial property thus prevents from many infections.It is very useful in curing their diarrhea and dysentery problems.It also helps in curing common cough and cold and provides relief from the congestion.

Prof. John Kurakar