Health Benefits of Ice Apple

The scientific name for the ice apple fruit is Borassus flabellifer, and it belongs to the family Arecaceae. The ice apple fruit is a palm tree fruit with a deep brown to black appearance that assumes a spherical shape on ripening. The tree contains 1 - 3 fruits on ripening; each fruit is enclosed in a woody endocarp. Inside the fruit are sweet jelly seed sockets that appear in groups of two, three, and sometimes four.

The edible part of the fruit is the pulp, covered by a thin yellowish-brown skin that protects the fruit's pulp. These have a watery fluid ensconced within their bodies. Its flavour is comparable to coconut water, and its texture is similar to the pulp of the lychee fruit.

The peak ice apple seasons in India are between May and June. It has a low-calorie count and is used as a refreshment and for cooking. In Tamil Nadu, it's often used in payasam.

Its fleshy pulp is packed with translucent liquid known to have excellent cooling properties. As a result, this fruit provides the perfect mixture of vitamins and minerals needed during the hot Indian summer months

The ice apple has many benefits when consumed. It is packed with essential nutrients like calcium, iron, and vitamin C, all needed to boost your health and keep you cool during summer.

Here is a breakdown of its components per 100g.

When eaten, they provide several health benefits. Some ice apple benefits include:

- Maintains Hydration

Dehydration is a prevalent problem among many during the summer months in most South Asian countries like India. The ice apple fruit has high water content. It is considered a hydrant/coolant fruit because of this.

Regularly consuming ice apples can help to keep your electrolyte levels up when drinking water is not enough. It also helps to prevent heat strokes and fights fatigue that comes with being under the sun for extended hours.

- Cures Digestive Problems

It is an excellent cure for digestive issues like constipation. The ice apple fruit is also recommended for pregnant women. It mainly helps with morning sickness and stomach discomfort. It is also known to improve breast milk quality in nursing mothers.

- Assists In Weight Loss

The ice apple is a low-calorie fruit with high water content. This means that when consumed, it keeps you full longer and curbs any cravings you may get. Also, since it is low in calories, you do not have to worry about gaining any weight.

- Improves Liver Health

These fruits are high in potassium, which is excellent for liver health. So it can help manage any irregularities or ailments related to the liver. This is possible as it provides the nutrients needed for the liver to better filter toxins from our blood and help prevent them from building up.

- Great For Diabetics

Diabetic patients can eat this fruit guilt-free due to its low sugar content and wide range of nutrients which can help boost immunity without spiking blood sugar levels. It is also rich in vitamins like Vitamin C and B7 and low in calories.
Furthermore, if you have a chronic condition like diabetes, consider getting a medical insurance plan, as it can help cover costs for medication and treatment for the long term.

- Boosts Immune System

One of the main benefits of consuming the ice apple fruit is its immune-boosting benefits. This is due to its vitamin C content, a known immune booster. Regularly consuming ice apples can help keep you healthy with a more robust immune system that can help your body fight off bacteria and viruses more effectively.

- Ice Apple Benefits For Skin

The ice apple fruit is excellent at warding off skin issues that come with the summer heat, like rashes and prickly heat. The flesh of the ice apple can also be applied topically to ward off itchiness as it cools the skin down.

- Contains Anti-aging Properties

Its phytochemical content also helps to fight signs of premature ageing. The ice apple is rich in antioxidants that can help prevent oxidative stress by fighting the free radicals in our bodies. So when consumed regularly, they help ward off signs of ageing

As for side effects, it does not present any severe symptoms unless you are allergic to them. However, eating overripe ice apple fruits can lead to some mild stomach discomfort, like stomach aches. Generally, eating them within a day of getting them is recommended due to their short shelf life.

The ice apple fruit has many health benefits when consumed and applied topically. They are considered the best summer fruit for their mineral, vitamin and water content — essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In addition to keeping an eye on your health, you should also consider getting health insurance.

Consider looking into the benefits of health insurance on our site. The Tata AIG online platform also allows you to buy health insurance online, allowing for more convenient purchases. You also get to compare medical insurance plans with one another to choose the best one.