Elderberry Fruit

An Elderberry Fruit, also known as sambucus, is really a fruit-bearing, deciduous plant with a minimum of 30 recognized species, most frequently discovered growing within the upper Hemisphere. The elderberry Fruit shrub generally grows to around 10 feet (3 meters) high and exhibits yellow and white flowers during the early summer, accompanied by dark blue or black berries that normally ripen somewhere around September. The fruits are delicious when ripe and have been thought of having medicinal benefits.

Ripened elderberries Fruits are usually used similar to some other berries in fruit muffins, jams and pies. The dried flowers may also be steeped in drinking water for making elderberry tea. The fruits are crushed to produce elderberry Fruit juice. The fresh fruits from the elderberry Fruit shrub may be utilized in all the ways and means other berries are utilized, including being a topping for ice cream and pancakes, in cobblers, or even 

Health Benefits of Eating Elderberries Fruit

Elderberries Fruit Used because of its antioxidant activity, to reduce cholesterol, Elderberries Fruit boost vision, Elderberries Fruit increase the immune system, Elderberries Fruit enhance heart wellbeing and also for coughs, common colds, influenza, bacterial and viral infections as well as tonsilitis. Elderberries Fruit drink was put to use to heal a flu outbreak in Panama in 1995.

Elderberries Fruit have already been a remedy for hundreds of years in Canada and America, European countries, Western Asia, and also North Africa. That is why the therapeutic advantages of Elderberries Fruit have been researched and rediscovered. Bioflavonoids along with other proteins from the juice eliminate the capability of cold and influenza viruses to invade a cell. Individuals with the influenza who consumed elderberry juice claimed less serious symptoms and felt a lot better quicker than those that did not.

Elderberries Fruit give you natural pigments, tannin, carotenoids, amino acids, flavonoids, sugar, rutin, vitamin A and B, viburnic acid along with a huge quantity of ascorbic acid. They are also gently laxative, diuretic, as well as diaphoretic. Flavonoids, such as quercetin, are considered to be the cause of the healing activities of the elderberry blossoms and fruits. Based on test tube studies2 these types of flavonoids contain anthocyanins which are potent antioxidants and defend cells against damage.
Elderberries Fruit had been stated in the CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs since 1985, and are also mentioned in the 2000 Mosby's Nursing Drug guide for common colds, influenza, candida albicans, congestion of nose and chest, and hay fever. Hasassah's Oncology Lab in Israel has identified that Elderberries Fruit energizes the human body's defense mechanisms and they are healing cancer and AIDS sufferers with it. The vast range of medical advantages (from influenza and common colds to devastating asthma, diabetes, and slimming) is most likely because of the enhancement of every person's immune system.

Scientists conducting research on Elderberries Fruit confirmed that elderberry anthocyanins improve immune function by increasing the creation of cytokines. These special proteins work as messengers inside the body's defence mechanism to help control immune response, thereby assisting to protect the body against illness. More studies indicated that anthocyanins discovered in elderberries have appreciably more antioxidant capability than both vitamin E and vitamin C.

Research at University of Graz in Austria discovered that elderberry extract decreases oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Oxidation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is suggested as a factor in atherogenesis, thereby causing cardiovascular disease.

EGGPLANT VEGETABLES

While many fruits and vegetables are important for good health, eggplant appears to play a special role in the treatment and prevention of a number of very serious conditions. This article describes 3 ways in which eggplant can be used to improve both the length and quality of your life.

1. Reduced Risk of Cancer

When used properly, eggplant can provide many health benefits, including being important in the treatment and prevention of cancer. Eggplant has been found to be especially useful in the treatment of colon cancer due to the high amount of fiber found within eggplant. Fiber is important in the treatment of colon cancer because it is a relatively porous nutrient, and because of this, as it moves through the digestive tract, it has the tendency to absorb toxins and chemicals that can lead to the development of colon cancer. For best results, individuals who are interested in reducing their risk for the development of color cancer should be sure to include the skin of the eggplant during consumption. Research has found that the skin of eggplant may contain more fiber that the actual eggplant itself.

2. Weight Loss

As stated above, eggplant contains high amounts of fiber, making it a great food in the fight against cancer. But, the fiber found in eggplant has other uses–namely, its ability to be a useful tool for people who are trying to lose weight. Fiber is a relatively “bulky” food, meaning that is takes up a lot of room in the stomach. Therefore, by eating eggplant in a salad or appetizer before a meal, dieters are likely to have a greater feeling of satiety, and generally eat fewer calories (thereby achieving a substantial weight loss with time). In addition, fiber is slow digesting, and takes a long time to move from the stomach to the digestive tract. Because of this, the eggplant keeps dieters feeling full for a longer period of time–and therefore, they won’t be as tempted to snack between meals, which will again aid in weight loss.

3. Better Skin Tone

Finally, eggplant contains a high amount of water–and similarly, aside from fat and bone, our bodies are composed of almost primarily water. Water has important roles in a variety of pathways through the body, but has been found to be especially important in the maintenance of healthy skin and hair. Individuals who are dehydrated are more likely to exhibit hair that is thin, dry and has split ends, along with skin that appears to be flaky, dry, with a greater number of lines and wrinkles. Consuming adequate amount of water through either water itself or through food items such as eggplant can not only improve the quality of your hair and skin, but also the general performance of your body. For best results, eat the eggplant raw–research has found that cooking it removes some of the water that is so beneficial.

Durian Fruits

One of its own kinds, Durian fruit is delicious, soft, succulent and very popular for its unique characteristics. Durian is widely revered as the "King of Fruits" in the South-East Asian countries.

The tree is tropical in origin and belongs to the genus Durio, family of Malvaceae; a large family of plant species which also include hibiscus, okra, etc. It is botanically known as Durio zibethinus.

The exotic durian is native to Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia. While there are 30 known species of Durio exist only nine of them have been identified as producing edible fruits. Durian tree starts bearing fruits after four or five years after plantation. The tree grows up to 50 meters in height depending on the species.

Durian is a seasonal fruit; its season lasts typically from June until August, which coincides with that of the other tropical specific fruits like mangosteen, jackfruit, and mango.

The fruit is distinctive for its large size, unique odor, and formidable thorn-covered husk. It can reach up to 30 cm (12 in) long and 15 cm (6 in) in diameter, and typically weighs one to four kilograms (two to seven lb). In shape, it varies from round to oblong; color of its husk (rind) is green with brown; and its flesh features creamy-yellow to saffron color depending upon the species.

The flesh or pulp can be consumed at various stages of ripeness, and is used as flavor base in a wide variety of culinary and sweet preparations in Southeast Asian cuisines. Durian seeds are small, round to oval shape and appear like jackfruit seeds. Many discard them, though they can be eaten after boiled thoroughly. The seeds feature a bland taste akin to jackfruit seeds.

Edible flesh emits a distinctive odor which can be described as strong and penetrating even when the husk is intact; this unusual stinky flavor and intense odor of the fruit have prompted many people to express diverse and peculiar opinions ranging from deep appreciation to disgust about durian.

Health benefits of Durian fruit

Durian, like other tropical fruits such as Banana, avocado, and jackfruit, is rich in energy, minerals and vitamins. 100 g fresh fruit provides 147 calories.

The fruit is made of soft, easily digestible flesh made of simple sugars like fructose and sucrose that when eaten replenish energy and revitalize the body instantly. Though it contains a relatively high amount of fats among fruits, it is free from saturated fats and cholesterol.

Durian is rich in dietary fiber, which makes it a good bulk laxative. The fiber content helps to protect the colon mucous membrane by decreasing exposure time and as well as binding to cancer-causing chemicals in the colon.

The durian fruit is a good source of antioxidant vitamin-C (about 33% of RDA). Consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful free radicals.

The fruit is an excellent source of health benefiting B-complex groups of vitamins; a rare feature among fruits, such as niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) and thiamin (vitamin B-1). These vitamins are essential for the body as it requires them from external sources to replenish.

Further, it also contains a good amount of minerals like manganese, copper, iron and magnesium. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Copper is required in the production of red blood cells. Iron is required for red blood cell formation.

Fresh durian fruit is a very rich source of potassium. Potassium is an important electrolyte of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure.

Additionally, it also contains high levels of essential amino acid, tryptophan (also known as "nature's sleeping pill") which in the body metabolizes into serotonin and melatonin; these neuro-chemicals have important functions like sleep induction and in the treatment of epilepsy.

Dragon Fruit

Dragon Fruit

The Pitaya is more commonly referred to as the dragon fruit. It is an extremely beautiful fruit that has dazzling flowers and an intense shape and color. The dragon fruit is usually a dark red color, although some types of this fruit are pink or yellow. The skin of the dragon fruit is a thin rind. The skin is usually covered in scales, and the center of the fruit is made up of a red or white, sweet tasting pulp.

Health Benefits of Dragon Fruit

Dragon Fruit Cholesterol

Keeping a heart healthy low cholesterol diet? Don't worry about your cholesterol Dragon fruit cholesterol is not an issue. Dragon fruit is both low in cholesterol and has little to no unhealthy cholesterol producing fats (certain fats which are metabolized to cholesterol contribute to increased cholesterol levels more than even cholesterol itself in food sources of cholesterol). 

Dragon Fruit Vitamin C

The amount of vitamin C in dragon fruit is high, and because the dragon fruit is a natural fruit providing you with a rich balance of nutrients coming along with the vitamin C, you absorb the Vitamin C in dragon fruit efficiently when you eat dragon fruit as part of your fruit healthy diet. 

Dragon Fruit Antioxidants

Eat dragon fruit as a good natural source of anti-oxidants which help to prevent the dangers of free radicals which can cause cancer and other undesirable health detriments.The number, quantity, and variety of antioxidants in real foods like dragon fruit is completely unmatched by any food supplement or pills - even those claiming to have 'antioxidant' health benefits. Nothing compares to the rich array of nutrients and antioxidants in a real natural food like the dragon fruit. Forget about junk foods and processed foods, as they are poison not foods! Even though a supplement claiming to offer a high amount of antioxidant benefits may sound good, the fact is that foods like dragon fruit have literally thousands of varieties of antioxidant substances and the supplement likely will contain only one (e.g. vitamin E supplements). Taking a single megadose of a single antioxidant compound may in fact cause harm or be toxic! Stick with dragon fruit antioxidant sources and other fresh fruits and vegetables and avoid trying to take a shortcut through a pill. 

Dragon Fruit Fats

Dragon fruit does have a small amount of fats because there are so many seeds in the edible part of the fruit. There can be literally thousands of the small black seeds in any given dragon fruit, and like most seeds and nuts they have both fats and protein in them while the flesh of the fruit itself has virtually none. Many fruits we eat have the seeds removed, like apricots, peaches, apples and the like, so we tend to think of fruits as being completely fat and protein free. It would be literally impossible to remove the seeds from dragon fruit unless you pressed it through a strainer, as the seeds are very small and mixed evenly in the flesh. Fortunately these are mostly the healthy mono-unsaturated fats as, of course, they are not processed in any way and therefore are none of the dangerously unhealthy trans-fats seen in most junk food and processed foods. 

Dragon Fruit Fiber

Dietary fiber is an important nutrition factor for everyone from young to old, and the best way to get dietary fiber is to eat fruits and vegetables including fruits like the dragon fruit. As you might expect, like many fruits, dragon fruit has lots of dietary fiber with almost 1g of fiber per 100g of the fresh dragon fruit. Of course, the amount of dietary fiber in dragon fruit which is dried on a gram for gram basis is much higher than the amount of dietary fiber in dragon fruit as the fresh fruit. Depending upon the degree of moisture retention in the dried dragon fruit fruit, expect to see 10g or more grams of dietary dragon fruit fiber per 100g of the dried pitahaya fruit. The amount of dietary dragon fruit fiber in the fresh dragon fruit will be more on the order of 1g of fiber per 100g of the fresh dragon fruit because the fresh fruit has so much water in it. If you want to increase how much fiber is in dragon fruit, you can eat more of the dragon fruit skin if it is in good condition (free of any spoilage or molds). Many sources of dried dragon fruit fiber may include some or all of the dragon fruit skin already, so depending upon this fact, you may find that the dried dragon fruit has even more fiber than the fresh fruit even after taking into account the drying process and the resulting concentration of fiber on a gram for gram basis. The health benefits of dragon fruit fiber are just one other example of the reason that eating natural sources of nutrients is superior to getting them from pills and supplements Dragon fruit nutritional benefits also include the levels of dragon fruit antioxidants - the antioxidants in dragon fruit are numerous and varied.

Plums Fruit

Wonderfully delicious and juicy plums are botanically belonging within the family of Rosaceae. The fruit is a drupe belonging to the genus: Prunus which also includes peaches, nectarine, almonds and damson. Scientific name: Prunus domestica.

The plant is best described as small tree or large shrub and widely cultivated in the United States, Europe, Japan and China. Many cultivars of plums are grown all over the world, which differ in their color, size and growing characteristics based upon their country of origin. Generally, each variety of the plum trees bears numerous, almost uniform sized fruits between May and September months.

Each berry is about the size of medium-sized tomato, measuring about 5-6 cm in diameter and weigh about 50-70 g. It has central depression at the stem side. Internally, the pulp is juicy and varies widely from creamy yellow, crimson, light-blue or light-green in color depending upon the cultivar type.

There is centrally placed single, smooth but hard stone-like seed. Seeds are inedible.

It has sweet and tart taste pulp with pleasant aroma. Some common cultivars of plums are: cherry plum, damson, blackthorn plum.

Health benefits of Plums

Delicious, fleshy, succulent plums are low in calories (46 calories per 100 g) and contain no saturated fats; however, contain numerous health promoting compounds, minerals and vitamins.

Certain health benefiting compounds present in the plum fruits, such as dietary fiber, sorbitol, and isatin are known to help regulate the functioning of the digestive system and thereby relieve constipation conditions.

Total antioxidant strength of plums measured in terms of ORAC (Oxygen radical absorbance capacity) is 6259 µmol TE/100 g. Fresh berries are a moderate source of vitamin C, which is also a powerful natural antioxidant. Consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents, counter inflammation and scavenge harmful free radicals.

Fresh plums, especially yellow Mirabelle type, are a moderate source of vitamin A and beta carotene. Vitamin A is essential for good eye sight. It is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural fruits rich in vitamin A has found to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

The fruit is also good in health promoting flavonoid poly phenolic antioxidants such as lutein, cryptoxanthin and zea-xanthin in significant amounts. These compounds help act as scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and various disease processes. Zea-xanthin, an important dietary carotenoid selectively absorbed into the retinal macula lutea where it is thought to provide antioxidant and protective UV light-filtering functions.

Plums are plentiful in minerals like potassium, fluoride and iron. Iron is required for red blood cell formation. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure.

In addition, the berries are moderate sources in B-complex groups of vitamins such as niacin, vitamin B-6 and pantothenic acid. These vitamins are acting as cofactors help the body metabolize carbohydrates, proteins and fats. They also provide about 5% RDA levels of vitamin K. Vitamin K is essential for many clotting factors function in the blood as well as in bone metabolism and help reduce Alzheimer's disease in the elderly.

Dates

Dates, the staple food of the Middle East countries is a sweet fruit. Date palms or Phoenix dactylifera (scientific name) produce clusters of oval, dark reddish-brown drupes, called dates below their fronds. Around 600-1700 clusters are present in a single cluster. The skin of the dried fruit is wrinkled and covered with a sticky, waxy film. Dates are eaten fresh or dried, whole or incorporated in various Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines. 

Served mainly as desserts, these date fruits are generally chopped into tiny slices and scattered across cakes and puddings to ameliorate their flavor. Some people mix date paste with yogurt, milk, bread or butter to enhance their flavor. Dates are also de-seeded and stuffed with several sweet fillings like apricot, etc. Besides the versatility of date preparation and consumption, these dry fruits also feature various nutritional values and date fruit benefits are well-known across the globe. Dates are opulent in vitamins and minerals, and are cholesterol-free. Moreover, they are loaded with natural fibers and according to a modern medicine survey, they are useful in keeping abdominal cancer at bay. 

Date Fruit Health Benefits

Dates provide several essential nutrients such as calcium, fiber, amino acids, sulfur, iron, manganese, magnesium, phosphorous, copper, potassium and fats to the body. They are wonderful sources of dietary fiber and are rich in vitamins A1, B1, B2, B3 and B5. The different benefits of date fruits are as listed below: 

Assists Digestion: Dates consist of 20 different kinds of amino acids which facilitate the digestive process. This is why dates are easily digestible and furnish the body with required energy for physical activities in about half an hour. Moreover, consuming dates on fasting days before breaking the fast helps avoid overeating after the fast. The factor responsible for human hunger is shortage of sugar in the blood. Consumption of dates, not only pacifies the feeling of hunger with its sugar content, but also all of its nutritional value is absorbed by the body. This prevents people from overeating after a day of fasting. 

Maintains Healthy Nervous System: Dates are rich in potassium content, which are essential for a healthy nervous system. Research reveals that higher potassium intake of about 400 mg can reduce the risk of strokes by 40%. Moreover, dates are low in sodium content, thereby preventing the blood pressure levels from rising. 

Treats Anemia: Dates have a high content of iron in them, which makes them great home remedies for reducing iron deficiency. Anemia patients are advised to eat several dates on a daily basis to raise their level of iron in the blood. 

Prevents Night Blindness Problems: The American Cancer Society states that consumption of one date a day helps maintain healthy eyes for one's lifetime. Dates are effective in keeping night blindness problems at bay. The society recommends intake of 20-35 grams of dietary fiber daily via date consumption. 

Strengthens Tooth Enamel: Dates contain fluorine, which is an essential mineral to slow down the process of early tooth decay. Fluorine is also known to keep plaque at bay by strengthening the tooth enamel. However, many people are of the misconception that tooth enamel can magically reverse tooth decay. This is not true. Tooth enamel consists of hydroxyapatites, which when brought in contact with fluorine forms hydroxyfluoroapatites, which is resistant to decay. This clearly means that fluorine helps prevent further tooth decay, but cannot reverse the decay process. 

Alleviates Constipation: Dates also possess laxative properties, and are suitable for people suffering from constipation. In order to get the benefits of laxative properties of dates, one should soak dates overnight in water. The soaked dates should then be ingested in the morning along with the water to gain the actual advantages. The roughage provided by dates increases bowel movement, thereby solving constipation issues. 

Sexual Weakness: The problem of sexual weakness can be countered by dates, as they are beneficial in increasing the body's sexual stamina. One needs to soak handful of dates in goat's milk overnight. Next morning, grind the dates in the same milk and add a mixture of honey and cardamom powder. This yields a tonic capable of increasing sexual endurance. 

Energy Booster: Dates are power packed with 29 grams of natural sugars (glucose, sucrose and fructose), 3 grams of dietary fiber and 31 grams of carbohydrates. Therefore, the tiny date fruit can be appropriately described as an energy boosting dry fruit. 

Nutrient Pack during Pregnancy: Pregnancy is a time when a woman experiences extreme bloating, constipation and other intestinal problems. Dates is an excellent remedy for such intestinal disturbances. Moreover, being rich in iron, dates prevent anemia in mother and child. It is also believed to impart good memory and intelligence to the developing fetus. Dates is also seen to improve strengthen the uterine muscles and facilitates childbirth. 

Weight Gain: Skinny people desperately trying to gain weight can try eating dates on a regular basis. Dates are high in calories (one date contains 23 calories) and will help in putting on weight. Eat about five to six dates every day.

Besides the above mentioned date fruit benefits, dates are also known to cure intestinal disorders. Their nicotinic content helps keep a check on pathological organism growth. Moreover, dates help strengthen the uterus muscles, enabling it to dilate in a smooth manner during delivery. Dates also enrich the mother's milk by providing it with nutrients beneficial for the baby's health. In a nutshell, date fruit is an ideal food source responsible for furnishing essential nutrients, helps food digestion and is an energy provider.

Tangerines

Tangerines nutrition facts

Tangerines are related varieties of oranges distinguished by loose, easily peeled shin (pericarp) and sweet juicy flesh (arils). They are also known as mandarin oranges in Europe and satsumas in Japan. Just as oranges, these too belong to the Rutaceae (citrus Family) and known scientifically as Citrus reticulata.

Mandarin orange thought to be originating in Southeastern tropical forest of China. Now days, the fruit is widely grown in many parts of the world as far as California, as an important commercial crop.

The tree smaller than oranges with slender branches and deep green leaves with pointed ends. The fruit is flat, small compared to "Navel" or "Valencia" oranges. Its loose, deep orange color skin (pericarp) can be peeled rather easily. Inside, it features extensive fibrous pith, which is loosely attached to underside of skin and edible flesh. An average sized fruit has 8-10 juicy segments (arils).

Several hybrid varieties of tangerines exist.

Tangelos, also known as honeybell, are hybrid between tangerine and orange (Citrus sinensis) or grapefruit (Citrus paradisi). Tangelos, like tangerines, have loose skin and juicy sweet flavored segments. They are distinguished from oranges by a characteristic knob at the stem end of the fruit.

Tangors (Citrus nobilis) are cross between oranges (C. sinensis) and tangerine (C. reticulata). They have feature large size, and sweet-tart flavor similar to oranges.

Clementines, another member of citrus family, are smaller, have smooth glossy skin, and vey sweet, juicy, almost seedless segments.

Yuzu fruit or Japanese citrus fruit is a hybrid between C. ichngenesis and oranges (C.reticulata). They are characterized by intense lime-like fragrance and tart flavor. Delicious and juicy orange fruit contains an impressive list of essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals for normal growth and development and overall well-being.

Health benefits of tangerines

As in oranges, Tangerines are very low (53 cal/100 g) in calories. Nevertheless, they are valuable sources of flavonoid anti-oxidants like narigenin, hesperetin, vitamin A, carotenes, xanthins and luteins; in fact many times higher than in oranges.

In addition, these citrus fruits are very rich sources of vitamin-C (ascorbic acid), a water-soluble vitamin. Vitamin-C is one of powerful natural anti-oxidant, which has many essential roles like collagen synthesis, wound healing, anti-viral, anti-cancer activity, and helps prevent from neuro-degenerative diseases, arthritis, and cold/fever...etc by removing oxidant free radicals from the body. Vitamin C helps absorb iron in the food by reducing ferrous form of iron element to ferric form in the gut.

Further, they contain natural soluble and insoluble fiber like hemi-cellulose, pectin...etc which prevents cholesterol absorption in the gut. Adequate fiber in the food aids in smooth bowel movements by acting as laxative.

Citrus fruits, as such, have long been valued for their wholesome nutritious and antioxidant properties. It is scientifically established that citrus fruits, especially oranges, by virtue of their richness in vitamins and minerals, have many proven health benefits. Moreover, it is now beginning to be appreciated that the other biologically active, non-nutrient compounds found in citrus fruits such as phyto-chemical antioxidants, soluble and insoluble dietary fiber have been found to be helpful in reduction in the risk for cancers, many chronic diseases like arthritis, and from obesity and coronary heart diseases.

Tangerines (Citrus reticulata), Fresh,  Nutritive Value per 100 g, ORAC value 1620 TE units. (Source: USDA National Nutrient data base)
Principle	Nutrient Value	Percentage of RDA
Energy	53 Kcal	2.5%
Carbohydrates	13.34 g	10%
Protein	0.81 g	1.5%
Total Fat	0.31 g	1%
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
Dietary Fiber	1.8 g	5%
Vitamins
Folates	16 mcg	4%
Niacin	0.376 mg	2.5%
Pantothenic acid	0.216 mg	4%
Pyridoxine	0.078 mg	6%
Riboflavin	0.036 mg	3%
Thiamin	0.058 mg	5%
Vitamin C	26.7 mg	44%
Vitamin A	681 IU	23%
Vitamin E	0.20 mg	1%
Vitamin K	0 mcg	0%

Cherimoya

Sweet, pulpy, and fragrant rich cherimoya is among the most delicious tropical fruits of Andean valleys origin. The greenish-yellow, conical fruits are from the evergreen trees belonging to the family annonaceae, of the genus of Annona. It is thought to be native of Loja region of Ecuador, bordering Peru of the low rising tropical forests of Central Andean Mountains. 

Scientific name: Annona cherimola.

Annona is a small sized tree, grows to about 15 to 30 feet tall with dense foliage, and bears fruits after 4-5 years of plantation. At their natural habitat, cherimoya flowers are pollinated by insects (coleoptera, hemiptera). However, in the cultivated farms, pollination is largely done artificially to obtain good yields.

The fruit is irregularly oval or conical in shape, has leathery dark green skin with polygonal indentations and small round or conical protuberances. It measures about 10-20 cm in length and 10 cm in diameter and weight about 350 g to 500 g and in some varieties weighing several pounds. Ripe fruits turn pale green to light brown color and emanate fragrant rich sweet aroma that can be appreciated from a distance. Inside the fruit features, cream color pulp with black color smooth seeds embedded all over. Seeds and skin are inedible.

Sugar apple (Annona squamosa) is small sized tropical fruit with polygonal mosaic pattern on the surface. It has rich taste and flavor similar to that of cherimoya.

Custard apple (Annona reticulata) is another small size fruit commonly grown in India, Pakistan and other South Asian regions. It features smooth conical protuberances (carpels) on the surface. It has similar taste and flavor as cherimoya; however, has less pulp and heavily seeded for its size.

Atemoya is hybrid of cherimoya (A. cherimola) and sugar apple (A. squamosa). It has better temperature and humidity tolerance suitable for cultivation in tropical climates.

Guanabana (Annona muricata) or soursop (graviola) is much larger than cherimoya. It is easily distinguished by its size, spiky surface and fibrous tart flesh.

Health benefits of cherimoya

Very sweet and pleasant flavor annonas contain an impressive list of essential nutrients, vitamins, anti-oxidants and minerals.

The fruit has calories equivalent to that of mangoes. 100 g of fresh fruit pulp provide about 75 calories. It is however, contain no saturated fats or cholesterol; but rich in dietary fiber (3 g per100 g) that helps prevent absorption of cholesterol in the gut. The dietary fibers also help protect the mucous membrane of the colon from exposure to toxic substances by binding cancer causing chemicals in the colon.

Cherimoya contains several poly-phenolic antioxidants. Among them, the most prominent in annona family fruits are Annonaceous acetogenins. Acetogenin compounds such as asimicin, bullatacinare...etc are powerful cytotoxins and have been found to have anti-cancer, anti-malarial, and anti-helminthes properties.

It is very good in vitamin-C. Vitamin C is a powerful natural antioxidant. Consumption of fruits rich in vitamin C helps body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the body.

In addition, cherimoya fruit is a good source of B-complex vitamins, especially vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine). 100 g fresh fruit provides 0.257 mg or 20% of daily-recommended levels. Pyridoxine help keep up GABA neuro chemical in the brain. High GABA levels calms down nervous irritability, tension, and headache ailments.

Further, it has well balanced sodium-potassium ratio. A good potassium level in the body helps control heart rate and blood pressure; thus counters the bad influences of sodium. It also contain more minerals weight per weight than many common fruits like apples, rich in copper, magnesium, iron and manganese.

Cherimoya fruit (Annona cherimola), Fresh,  Nutritive value per 100 g,  (Source: USDA National Nutrient data base)
Energy	75 Kcal	4%
Carbohydrates	17.71 g	13.5%
Protein	1.57 g	3%
Total Fat	0.68 g	3%
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
Dietary Fiber	3 g	8%
Vitamins
Folates	23 µg	6%
Niacin	0.644 mg	4%
Pantothenic acid	0.345 mg	7%
Pyridoxine	0.257 mg	20%
Riboflavin	0.131 mg	10%
Thiamin	0.101 mg	8%
Vitamin A	5 IU	<1 o:p="o:p">

Vitamin C

12.6 mg

21%

Vitamin E

0.27 mg

2%

Electrolytes

Sodium

7 mg

0.5%

Potassium

287 mg

6%

Minerals

Calcium

10 mg

1%

Copper

0.069 mg

8%

Iron

0.27 mg

3%

Magnesium

17 mg

4%

Manganese

0.093 mg

4%

Phosphorus

26 mg

4%

Zinc

0.16 mg

1%

Phyto-nutrients

Carotene-ß

2 µg

--

Crypto-xanthin-ß

1 µg

--

Lutein-zeaxanthin

6 µg

--