Custard apple scientific name is Annonareticulata. This wonderful fruit has different shapes like spherical, heart-shaped, oblong and even irregular. The outer layer of the fruit is brown or yellow in colour and the flesh inside is pure white. There are several seeds inside the fruit and each is covered with the pulp layer. There could be about 60-70 seeds inside the fruit. You get a pleasant taste like custard itself. The fruit is eaten as is but also used in many sweet dishes all over the world. In India, you will find ice-cream, milkshakes, etc being made out of this wonderful fruit. So wherever you are, do try out this fantastic fruit and enjoy the custard apple benefits that it offers you.
Custard Apple Names In Different Languages:
Though custard apple is called by different names in different parts of the country, it is loved all the same. The custard apple botanical name of Annonareticulata is something that no many know of. The most common Indian word for custard apple is Sitaphal or even Ram sitaphal. The sitaphal image creates a mouth-watering scene for most people. The juicy sections of the fruit with its custardy taste are all perfect for a hot day. Turn them into cheesecake, ice cream or even a milkshake and you have the best dessert you want.
- Hindi – Sitaphal
- Manipuri – Sharifa
- Assamese – Katal
- Tamil – Sitapalam
- Telugu – Sitaphalamu
- Bengali – Ata
- Malayalam – SitaPazham
- Punjabi – Sharifa
- Marathi – Sitaphala
What Is Sugar Apple?
So if you want to know what is sugar apple then the best way is to taste one. The custard apple juice from the fruit pulp in your mouth is just the best feeling ever. If you see pictures of custard apple you will notice the several sections that the fruit is divided into. Each of them holds a pulpy fruit section and a seed within.
Different Types Of Custard Apple:
There are different types of custard apple that you can find in the market and around the world. If you want to know about custard apple then look at the different types mentioned here. The other types are Cherimoya, Soursop, Sweetsop, Alligator apple, Atemoya, etc. Each of these has distinctive tastes and flavours. If you look at the picture of custard apple and the various types you will see the similarities in them. Try each to get an idea of what they taste like. Custard apple photo will give you the knowledge of how the different varieties look like and feel.
Is Custard Apple Good For Health?
Yes, custard apple is one of the good fruits for your well being. Custard apple powder is a nice way to give babies the taste of the fruit. Custard apple has various nutrients like Vitamin C, potassium and magnesium. All these help you to be fit and healthy and keep your skin and hair strong.
Importance Of Custard Apple:
Custard apple names are plenty but all of them show that the fruit is much loved by everyone. Sweet custard apple is a good way to take in Vitamins C and A. You also get magnesium and potassium from this fruit. There are so many custard apple varieties in India, that you will be amazed to taste each and every one of them. The different types of custard apple give you flavour and taste like no other. Check out the pictures of custard apple fruits to know the best ones and how to pick them when ripe. Get all the necessary nutrients from these beautiful fruits.
How To Eat Custard Apple Fruit?
The best way to eat custard apple fruit is as-is. Check to see if the fruit is ripe. It must be a bit on the soft side when touched. Open it up with your hands and see the several sections of fruit pulp within. Each section is a white fruity and pulpy part that you can consume. Within it is a seed that needs to be discarded. You can scoop out the fruit with a spoon too. The Indian custard apple is very pulpy and tasty. So, learn how to eat custard apple fruit to get the best of it.
Best Time To Eat Custard Apple?
The best time to eat custard apple is in the months of August to October. The creamy fruit is at its best this time of the year. You can get the hand-picked luscious fruits in all the fruit markets in the country. So get all the custard apple nutritional value when the fruits are in season as the nutritional value of custard is at its best then. We give you the custard apple nutrition facts below. This will tell you that is custard apple good for health. Having the fruit in the right season always is a good choice for flavour and nutrient.
Custard Apple Nutritional Values:
Nutritional value of custard apple is given under for your benefits:
1 custard Apple Contains about:
- Calories: 146
- Total Fat: 0.4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1 g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Proteins: 3.2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Iron: 4 %
- Magnesium: 8 %
- Calcium: 3 %
- Vitamins: A- 0 %, C- 93 %, B6-15 %
Amazing Health Benefits Of Custard Apple:
Here we enlisted 21 custard apple uses for skin, hair and health. Let’s have a look into them.
1. Custard Apple for Diabetes:
The importance of custard apple in your diet can be seen for diabetes patients. As there is a lot of dietary fibre in custard apple, it helps to slow down any absorption of sugar. This, in turn, reduces your chances of getting type-2 diabetes. So having custard apple can do you a lot of good. Check out these custard apple benefits for yourself and see how your life gets healthier.
How To Consume Custard Apple for Health Problems:
- The fruit can be eaten when ripe as is.
- It is better to have it without the addition of any sugar in the form of desserts.
2. Custard Apple for Cancer:
Custard apple has certain compounds that are known as cancer-preventing. These are alkaloids and acetogenin compounds and these actions against the cancer cells but do not hurt the healthy cells. The powerful antioxidants in custard apple also help to prevent the risk of cancer. See how the benefits of custard apple give you a new lease of life. So the uses of custard apple go a long way in helping you.
How To Consume Custard Apple for Health Problems:
- Eating a custard apple daily can show you the health benefits of custard apple.
- Scoop out the pulpy flesh and relish it.
[Read: Benefits Of Cherimoya For Skin, Hair and Health]
3. Custard Apple During Pregnancy:
The uses of custard apple leave for pregnancy can be seen as well. The creamy fruit gives the mother and the baby Vitamin C and A. The potassium and magnesium needed for the baby’s growth is also wonderful so custard apple in pregnancy is a good choice. So having the fruit can be a good idea for the mother as well as the baby. Benefits of custard apple leaves have been passed down from ages by grandmothers to their daughters.
How To Consume Custard Apple for Health Problems:
- Having a scoop or two of the fruit on a daily basis is the best way to get all the nutrients from the fruit.
4. Reduces Cholesterol:
The advantages of custard apple are that they have niacin and also dietary fibre that is perfectly good to lower your cholesterol levels. If you are a person who is prone to having high levels of cholesterol, then eating custard apple can greatly help you. Try to add this to your daily diet or at least to have it twice a week. Niacin makes the triglyceride levels go down and this reduces the cholesterol.
How To Consume Custard Apple for Health Problems:
- Eat the fruit at least a few times a week for that good health benefit on your heart.
5. Improves Vision:
The benefits of eating custard apple can also be seen for eyesight. Custard apple is known to be great for the eyesight. It helps to keep the eyesight in check and reduces strain on the lens. You can have custard apple as your daily fruit diet. Include it while it is in season and see the difference in your health. The fruit contains many nutrients that are perfect for keeping your eyes healthy.
How To Consume Custard Apple for Health Problems:
- Have the fruit in the form of milkshakes, ice creams or just as it is.
6. Prevents Arthritis:
You will find sitaphal benefits for your bone health as well. The calcium in custard apple helps your bones and this can help you if you are suffering from arthritis. The degeneration of bones and the pain associated with arthritic pain significantly reduces with the help of custard apple. So do check out the sugar apple benefits for your bones. Having different ways of preparations will keep you excited about having the fruit.
How To Consume Custard Apple for Health Problems:
- You can have custard apple just as the fruit or you can add it to milkshakes with milk.
- Milk adds to the calcium intake which is good for the bones.
7. Boost Immunity:
Sugar apple health benefits are great for people who have a lower immunity level. The various nutrients in custard apple make it an ideal complement to your daily diet. Treating your immunity disorders the natural way is the best way. So add custard apple to your diet and see how you are able to build up your immunity levels. Churn up a delicious smoothie or make nice ice cream for that tempting dessert.
How To Consume Custard Apple for Health Problems:
- Cut the fruit and have all the pulpy sections.
- You can make a smoothie with milk for an added boost.
8. Treat Anemia:
As custard apple acts as a coolant and a stimulant, it helps to treat anaemia. One of the sitaphal health benefits is the rich source of iron in it. This aids in the treatment of anaemia. The haematinic and expectorant properties of sugar apple leave benefits most people suffering from anaemia. Sugar apple fruit health benefits work great for kids and young adults as well who are finicky about food choices and tastes.
How To Consume Custard Apple for Health Problems:
- You can have this fruit in many ways as mentioned above.
- Smoothies, ice creams or milkshakes are all good choices.
9. Improve Digestion:
To get better digestion, you need fibre which will help bowel movement. When you have a proper bowel movement, the constipation problems subside. Custard apple has a copper and dietary fibre in them. These two nutrients aid in bowel movement. Sitaphal uses to show us how good it can be to get the health benefits of sitaphal. So check out the uses of sitaphal and improve your digestion.
How To Consume Custard Apple for Health Problems:
- Custard apple fruit benefits can be in the form of plain fruit.
- Do not use it in milkshakes or smoothies as milk itself may cause constipation.
10. Helps To Gain Weight:
Custard fruit benefits those people who are looking to put on weight naturally. Eating custard apple and honey daily will give you the necessary calories to put on weight. Health benefits of custard apple are the calories that you can add to your body in a healthy way. Both these are sweet and tasty ingredients that no one will want to avoid. So put on weight in a natural and tasty way.
How To Consume Custard Apple for Health Problems:
- Scoop the pulp of the custard apple and add honey to it.
- Have this on a daily basis for added weight.
11. Boost Brain Health:
Custard apple juice benefits people who lead a hectic life filled with tensions and problems. The advantages of eating custard apple make it possible to boost your brain health. The benefits of eating custard mean all the nutrients are absorbed by the bloodstream. This helps the brain to grow and stay strong. Neurological problems become less and mild. Uses of eating custard apple fruit for the brain are noted to be positive and beneficial.
How To Consume Custard Apple for Health Problems:
- Add the fruit to your daily diet and have it in its raw form- scooped or just mixed with honey.
[Read: Health Benefits of Rambutan]
12. Good Cardiovascular Health:
Custard apple has magnesium in it which is the perfect nutrient for the heart. It helps to keep the heart healthy and away from cardiac arrests. Vitamin B6 is another nutrient that is good for the heart as it prevents the collection of homocysteine. The health benefits of custard apple fruit are great for people with heart conditions. Custard uses can be had for people or family members who may be prone to heart problems too.
How To Consume Custard Apple for Health Problems:
- Choose fruits that are ripe and add this to your daily diet for that heart-healthy feel.
Top 4 Custard Apple Benefits For Skin:
Here we enlisted 4 best custard apple benefits for the skin. Let’s have a look into them.
1. Treat Pimples:
One of the health benefits of eating custard apple is that they have a positive effect on your skin. Pimples can be treated with custard apple as they have Vitamins in them. It helps to heal the pimple and remove the pus that forms on the surface. You can either consume the fruit or apply it on the surface. The sebum is regulated and thus the pimples reduce leaving you with clear skin.
How To Apply:
- Scoop out the flesh of the fruit and mash it with a fork.
- Apply this paste onto clean skin and leave to dry.
- Wash off with water.
2. Prevent Ageing And Keeps Skin Youthful:
For that youthful look, we need collagen to build up in our system. We can get collagen from custard apple as it has Vitamin C in abundance. Collagen is the actual protein that we need for healthy skin. This will also prevent ageing. Custard apple for skin is the perfect way to get collagen. Get the benefits by either consuming it or applying the paste.
How To Apply:
- Consumption of the fruit is a better way to get the collagen into your system.
- Else you can apply a paste of the fruit over your face and neck.
- Wash it off once it is dry.
3. Heals Skin Infections:
Custard apple benefits for skin are great when you have some skin infections. These can be cured due to the Vitamin abundance in custard apple. These help to heal infections faster. Vitamin C works great on the skin and gives it the required sustenance. So having fruits that are rich in Vitamin C is a really good idea for people with skin infections. Add it to your daily diet and see the difference.
How To Apply:
- Apply a layer of the paste all over the skin.
- Leave it on for half an hour and then wash it off with warm water.
4. Keeps Skin Cancer Away:
Once the skin gets its collagen levels up, it helps to rebuild the layers of skin. Vitamin C in custard apple is a really good way to build the level of collagen in the skin. So, consuming the fruit can also help to keep skin cancer away. Custard apple benefits cancer of the skin as it gives the skin healing property. This healing helps to make the skin barriers strong and fight any cancer affecting cells.
How To Apply:
- To take care of skin cancer it is better to consume the fruit rather than apply it on the skin directly.
Top 5 Custard Apple Benefits For Hair:
Here we enlisted 5 best custard apple benefits for hair. Let’s have a look into them.
1. Prevents Premature Graying:
Premature greying in a person occurs when the amount of copper in the body is not enough. Having foods that high in copper can help to stop this premature greying of the hair. Melanin is the body gives us the colour we need for our hair, eyes as well as our skin. Custard apple has copper in it and this builds up the melanin levels. So consuming custard apple benefits for hair and gives it the shine.
How To Apply:
- You can apply the paste of the fruit on the scalp and leave it on for some time.
- Wash off normally with shampoo.
2. Treat Scalp Infections:
Vitamin C present in custard apple works wonders for the scalp. The antioxidants that are in custard apple also help to stop any kind of infections of the scalp. As the sebum regulates itself, the scalp is able to breathe well and free itself of dead skin cells and bacteria. This gives the scalp freshness where the roots of the hair can grow well. So consuming custard apple is a great way to keep dandruff and other scalp infections at bay.
How To Apply:
- Apply a paste of the fruit on the scalp and leave it on for half an hour.
- Wash off with regular shampoo.
3. Prevent Lice:
The enzymes and the antioxidants in custard apple are great to remove and prevent any lice infestation on the scalp. So applying a paste of the fruit once in a while is a good way to help keep the scalp free of problems. It strengthens the scalp and also keeps it healthy. A healthy scalp will easily ward off any kind of infestation or lice.
How To Apply:
- Twice a week you can apply a paste of the fruit on the scalp and leave it on.
- After about an hour you can wash it off with normal shampoo and water.
4. For Better Collagen Levels:
Custard apple has an abundance of Vitamin C. Consuming the fruit gives you the benefits of this Vitamin C as collagen builds up in your system. Collagen is formed due to the Vitamin C and so having custard apple is the best way to give your system the needed boost of collagen. For most people with skin problems, the collagen build-up is the best answer. So get a sweet medicine for your skin problems with custard apple.
How To Apply:
- You can apply custard apple puree on the skin for Vitamin C or you can consume the fruit to get the maximum benefits.
5. Promote Hair Growth:
The antioxidants and Vitamin C that is present in custard apple are the best for hair growth. You can get the copper content in your scalp from custard apple that will lead to better melanin production. This will give you hair that is coloured well and grows stronger and richer. So having custard apple on a daily basis will help with hair growth and shine.
How To Apply:
- Make a puree of the pulpy fruit and apply this on the scalp.
- Leave it on for half an hour and then wash off with warm water.
- Repeat this twice a month.
[Read: Health Benefits of Soursop Fruit]
Custard Apple Side Effects:
So even though we have seen custard apple cholesterol and custard apple cancer benefits, having too much of it is also not good.
- The custard apple disadvantages are that too much weight gain from this will also give you trouble.
- The custard apple side effects also include an overdose of iron and the complications due to it.
- One of the side effects of custard apple is that potassium may be overdone and may interfere with any other medications that you may be taking. So, all in all, the disadvantages of custard apple could lead to other problems.
- It is advisable to keep into consideration all other factors and then consume the fruit.
Custard apple is a really delicious fruit that is loved by many. Having the fruit for its taste gives you an added advantage of all the hidden health benefits. Custard apple has great amounts of nutrients in it and this is what your body gains. So treat many of your health problems including hair and skin problems with just custard apple. Applying the paste for hair and skin can give your shiny and strong hair as well as clear skin.
