Behind the skin that resembles scales, there are various health benefits of salak. By consuming salak, you can strengthen your immune system and ward off free radicals while enjoying its sweet and crunchy taste.
The benefits of salak for health can be obtained because this one fruit not only contains high carbohydrates and fiber, but also contains a variety of vitamins and minerals that are important for the body, such as vitamin C, vitamin B2, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, folate, and iron.
In addition to these nutrients, chemical compounds in salak fruit, such as flavonoids, lycopene, and carotenoids, are also important in supporting body health.
Various Benefits of Salak
There are various health benefits of salak. Here are some of them:
1. Increase endurance
One of the benefits of salak is to increase the body's immunity. This benefit can be obtained because the content of vitamin C in salak is able to help strengthen the immune system and protect the body from various kinds of infections.
In addition, antioxidants such as carotenoids and lycopene in salak are also useful in increasing immunity because they can help ward off free radicals that have the potential to damage cells and body DNA.
2. Brighten the skin
Research shows that salak extract can be used as a natural ingredient to brighten the skin thanks to the vitamin C content in it.
The flavonoid compounds obtained from salak fruit extract have also been shown to be effective in reducing levels of pigment compounds that give color to the skin so that they can be used as ingredients for skin whitening creams.
3. Prevent constipation
There are still many people who believe that consuming salak can cause constipation or difficulty defecating (BAB). In fact, this is just a myth because consuming salak in moderation can actually help prevent constipation.
The reason is, the fiber in salak can improve digestive tract health, increase good bacteria in the intestines, and make stools softer so they are easy to pass.
4. Improve heart health
To help improve heart health, you need to eat foods that contain potassium, such as salak. Potassium plays an important role in maintaining the rhythm of the heartbeat and lowering blood pressure, so that it can keep the heart working optimally.
In addition to improving heart health, potassium can also regulate body fluid balance, maintain nerve function, prevent kidney stones, and maintain bone density.
5. Controls diabetes
Salak contains nutrients needed by diabetics. Research shows that salak can lower blood cholesterol levels in mice that are fed a high-fat diet. This is very good for diabetics who often have cholesterol problems.
Not only that, research also shows that the antioxidant content and acetic acid in salak vinegar have antidiabetic potential, which can improve the function of the pancreas gland in producing the hormone insulin, so it is possible to use it as a diabetes drug.
6. Controls uric acid levels
The next benefit of salak is to help control uric acid levels. Research shows that salak contains compounds that can inhibit enzymes xanthine oxidase, which is an enzyme that plays a role in the production of uric acid. This benefit is even thought to be equivalent to gout drugs.
7. Prevent cancer
Research shows that the active compounds in salak fruit extract are anticancer and can inhibit the growth of cancer cells, especially lung cancer, colon cancer, and breast cancer. However, this benefit still needs to be studied further to find out how much effective it is in fighting cancer.
Although some of the benefits of salak need to be investigated further, you can still make this fruit as a healthy snack or dessert. However, don't forget to keep consuming other nutritious foods so that the nutrients you get are more diverse, so that your health can be better maintained.
If you want to make salak as part of treatment to treat or prevent certain diseases, you should consult a doctor first. The doctor will give advice on the consumption of salak according to your needs and health conditions.