Sawo is one of the fruits that grows in the tropics, including Indonesia. There are many benefits of sapodilla for the health of the body behind its sweet taste, such as lowering blood sugar levels and maintaining a healthy digestive system.
Sapodilla fruit is generally enjoyed as a dessert because of its soft texture and sweet taste and aroma. You can consume sapodilla by eating it directly or by making it juice or jam.
Nutrient Content in Sawo
The benefits of sapodilla can be obtained from the various nutrients it contains. In 1 sapodilla fruit contains approximately 140 calories. In addition, there are various other nutrients that are also beneficial for the body, namely:
- Carbohydrate
- Fiber
- Fat
- Minerals, such as calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron
- Vitamins, including vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin B6
Not only that, sapodilla fruit also contains antioxidants, including polyphenols and carotenoids.
Various Benefits of Sawo for Health
Various kinds of nutrients contained in sapodilla can bring many benefits for the health of the body and also for pregnant women. The following are some of the benefits of sapodilla:
1. Maintain a healthy digestive system
Compared to other tropical fruits, sapodilla has a higher fiber content, even higher than apples. Thanks to its high fiber and polyphenol content, sapodilla is beneficial for your digestive health.
Apart from being able to smooth bowel movements, these two nutrients play an active role in supporting the growth of good bacteria and fighting bacteria that can harm your digestion, so that you are free from various digestive problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease.
2. Lowering blood sugar levels
The high polyphenol content in sapodilla can stimulate the release of the hormone insulin, which the body needs to transport sugar from the bloodstream to cells in the body, so that blood sugar levels fall. This can help lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
3. Fight free radicals
Sawo contains vitamin C which also has antioxidant properties. These antioxidants are useful for strengthening the immune system to fight free radicals that are at risk of damaging cells in the body and triggering various serious diseases.
4. Prevent cancer
The polyphenol content in sapodilla has good antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. If eaten regularly along with other healthy foods, the polyphenol content in sapodilla can help prevent the growth of cancer cells in the body.
5. Maintain heart health
The content of carotene in sapodilla is believed to play an important role in maintaining heart health. This is thought to come from the anti-inflammatory properties of carotene which can reduce inflammation in the body, including in the heart blood vessels, thereby reducing the risk of coronary heart disease.
Although there are many benefits of sapodilla for health, the body still needs a variety of nutrients from a variety of healthy foods. Therefore, it is recommended that you consume a variety of healthy sources of nutrients, including fruits and vegetables, to optimally meet your nutritional needs.
In addition, please note that sapodilla contains proteins that can cause allergies in some people. So, be careful when consuming this fruit for the first time. If you are still in doubt or have questions regarding sapodilla and its health benefits, you can consult a doctor.