14 Exotic Fruit Packed With Nutrients

I don’t know about you, but my fruit intake is often limited to the classics: apples and oranges, with the odd banana and strawberry flying into my shopping cart from time to time. Not only are these fruit a safe bet, but they also add a good amount of essential vitamins and fiber into my diet. However, many fruit can do so much more than that for your health and well-being, though, admittedly, they can be somewhat harder to get.

Still, certain exotic fruit are so interesting both in terms of looks, taste and health claims, that everyone should know about them and at least try them once. Here is a list 15 extremely healthy and very intriguing exotic fruit that everyone should try.

 

1. Chinese Bayberry

These delicious-looking fruit have been cultivated in China for over 2000 years, but it’s actually not a berry, but a cherry because it has a seed in the center. The color of the fruit varies from a saturated red, to white, to purple, and the flesh is sweet-sour. It is eaten fresh, used in juices, jams, yogurt, a variety of desserts and dishes.

Various species of the Chinese bayberry have been studied for their immune boosting, anti-inflammatory and rejuvenating properties, as it is very rich in antioxidants.

2. Durian

Durian isn’t dubbed “the world’s smelliest fruit” for no reason: it has a very strong, rank smell that only gets worse when you cut open its prickly shell to get to the pulp. This popular southeast Asian street food is so stinky that it was actually banned to eat on public transportation in many countries.

Why is it so popular, you ask? Well, it is extremely healthy. This superfruit is known to increase muscle strength, promote skin health and even lower blood pressure. One fruit contains nearly all of your daily need of fiber, and it is very rich in iron, vitamin C, and potassium.

3. Salak

This fruit is also called snake fruit because it has a “scaly” exterior. The fruit grows on a palm tree, and it is a popular snack throughout southeast Asia, but it is native to Indonesia. Salak fruit is juicy and slightly acidic.

In terms of nutrition value, it’s quite high in potassium, calcium, and vitamin C. Locals use the fruit as an anti-diarrheal remedy, but don't eat too much of it, as eating one too many fruit can cause constipation.

4. Sugar Apple

No one really knows where this tropical fruit originated from, but it is likely that it was brought by Spanish colonizers from somewhere in the Americas and then spread throughout other colonies. Today it is a popular treat in India.

Sugar apples are eaten fresh: the fruit consists of fleshy segments, which are separated by hand and eaten whole, spitting out the seeds. The fruit is juicy and very aromatic. The seeds and leaves of the plant are poisonous, and powdered leaves are often used to treat lice.

5. Jack fruit

Jack fruit belong to the family of breadfruit, with the only difference being that it’s much, much larger. In fact, it is the largest fruit in the world that grows on trees, with the most impressive specimens reaching a whopping 55 kg (120 lb) in weight and 90 cm (35 in) in length.

The fruit is a popular meat replacement in tropical countries, as its flesh is practically tasteless and has a stringy consistency resembling meat. Breadfruit in general are very popular, especially in southeast Asia, as they can be used in a variety of ways: mashed, sautéed, baked, candied or turned into fries.

6. Santol

A native to the Philippines, santol fruit is a real multitasker. It is also referred to as cotton fruit because of its fluffy white interior. The fruit is eaten whole when fresh, but it is also often candied with the seeds removed, and even brewed into an alcoholic beverage.

In terms of taste, santol is extremely sour and acidic, often compared to a sour apple. The plant’s bitter pulp is used to treat ringworm, and the roots of the plant are often used as a remedy for diarrhea.

7. Wax Apple

If you’re looking for the next best thing to apples (I know I am), try this Asian beauty. Also known as the Java apple, this bell-shaped apple is extremely sweet and juicy, and it comes in a variety of colors.

Generally speaking, the darker or lighter the color, the sweeter the fruit, which makes the so-called “black pearls” characterized by their deep reddish purple tone the most desirable kind.

8. Pulasan

If this fruit looks similar to lychee or rambutan to you, you have a good eye for fruit, as all three are closely related. However, pulasan is a little different from the other two, as they’re much sweeter.

Pulasan is also a bit less known worldwide, probably for the same reason, and it can be found in Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia. This fruit is very high in vitamin C and antioxidants, and it is traditionally used to manage blood sugar levels in diabetics.

9. Mangosteen

This is probably the most controversial fruit on our list. Yes, it turns out, a fruit can be controversial. Mangosteen have been the subject of many studies, and they were implicated in being able to help treat a variety of illnesses, such as UTIs, tuberculosis, eczema, and others.

At the same time, fresh mangosteen have been banned from the U.S. since 2007 because they may harbor Asian fruit flies, a dangerous invasive species.

10. Langsat

Native to Malaysia, langsat is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. The pulp of the fruit is consumed after peeling off the thick skin. Different parts of the plant are used in traditional medicine.

The bitter seed, which you usually spit out, is powdered and mixed with water to prepare a de-worming and ulcer medication. The bark of the plant is traditionally used to treat dysentery and malaria.

11. Noni

Related to coffee, this fruit is not usually eaten raw, but rather cooked or boiled in traditional Polynesian and Thai cuisine. Noni fruit is also used dried and powdered to prepare tonics, juices and syrups that were attributed medicinal properties as an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent.

11. Elephant Apple

Similarly to durian, elephant apples are also known for their rather pungent aroma. But if you push past the smell, you will reveal and delicious and healthy treat. This Indian delicacy is seldom eaten raw, but its gelatinous core is widely-used to make jam and drinks.

People consume it for its powerful health effects: it relieves indigestion, constipation, and treats ulcers.

13. Nipah Seeds

This unusual-looking fruit comes from the mangroves of  Singapore. It grows on nipah palms, and the fruit is quite special, as, when ripe, it floats on the water surface. The local population use up everything the palm tree has to offer: the leaves are used as roofing material, the fruit are turned into delicious jelly, and the palm sap is tapped and made into an alcoholic drink.

The fruit were examined for their antioxidant capabilities and it was found that they are rich in flavonoids, one of the most powerful antioxidant groups.

14. Lotus Seeds

Lotus fruit may look a bit too alien to be edible, but the seeds that pop out of these fruit are enjoyed as a healthy snack in many countries, particularly China and Japan. The seeds are very reminiscent of peanuts, and they can be enjoyed fresh, or mashed into lotus seed paste, a common ingredient in Chinese and Japanese desserts.

The seeds are also sold dry, but to add them to soups and other dishes, people soak them, much like you would do with dried lentils or beans. Lotus seeds are rich in protein and contains a lot of B vitamins, as well as phosphorus and manganese, so it is an excellent replacement for peanuts, if you ask me.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                    PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                         FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                  https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/           

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FRUIT AND NUT SUPERFOODS

Fruit and nut superfoods are high in anti-oxidants that fight free radicals in the body. Free radicals may sound a little like an extremist terrorist sect evading capture and wreaking havoc across the globe and in fact within the context of your body this would be right. They are, in part, a natural occurrence through metabolism however extra and unnecessary free radical load can be put on our bodies by external factors including pollution, cigarette smoke, radiation, burnt foods, deep fried fats and cooked foods. When enough of these free radicals invade our immune system problems occurs. This is when you need antioxidants to build up the immune system and fight off the free radicals in the form of superfoods or supplements.

Goji Berries
Goji berries are grown on vines in the protected valleys of inner Mongolia and Tibet. These distinctively flavoured red berries are a very rich source of vitamin C, having 500 times more vitamin C per ounce than oranges and actually more than any other fruit. They are a superb source of vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and E and contain a full complement of protein with 18 amino acids and 21 trace minerals. Most of all they are an excellent antioxidant making it an ideal natural whole food for reversing aging and protecting against disease.

Raw Cacao
For this nut we could easily dedicate a whole page, if not a book. A word of warning before we start however, most cocoa powder and commercial chocolate is processed via the "Dutch method" meaning it is subjected to scorching temperatures of up to 150°C with the additional aid of solvents, thus destroying most of the nutrients and antioxidants. Be sure to attain certified organic raw cacao in a powder, nib or whole bean form as the temperature will have never been allowed to exceed 40°C thus allowing all the heat-sensitive vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to remain intact. Raw cacao beans contain possibly the world's most concentrated source of antioxidants found in any food. They also extremely high in magnesium which has been found to be the most common deficient major mineral even following a balanced diet. For those concerned with not getting enough iron it should be pleasing to know that each serving of raw cacao beans contains 21% of the recommended daily allowance of iron. And if that is not enough raw cacao beans have an antioxidant (ORAC) score of 95,500. To put that into perspective, that is 14 times more flavonoids (antioxidants) than red wine and 21 times more than green tea.

Maca
Maca powder is from the Maca root, a flavorful ancient superfood from Peru. Maca has been cultivated for at least 2000 years and was consumed by Inca warriors to increase strength and endurance. It is a highly nutritious food that has been used traditionally to gain energy, promote sexual desire, support fertility and enhance immune system function. It continues today to be a significant staple food and medicinal plant for the Peruvian people and is now widely available around the world as a whole food supplement.

Acai
Acai berries have long been a part of the staple diet of the tribes in the Amazon. With the appearance of a purple grape and taste of a tropical berry it has been shown to have powerful antioxidant properties thanks to a high level of anthocyanins, pigments also found in red wine. The ORAC rating of acai is 1,027. Make sure to look for the freeze dried acai fruit in which the nutrients are kept intact or when buying the juice look for a brand that has not been pasteurized or heated in any way.

Coconuts
Young coconuts are one of the highest sources of electrolytes in nature. Electrolytes are ionized salts in our cells, that transport energy throughout the body. Coconut water is a much better alternative to commercial sports drinks laden with artificial sugars and colors. The molecular structure of coconut water is identical to human blood plasma, which means that it is immediately recognized by the body and put to good use. Drinking the juice from a young coconut is like giving your body an instant blood transfusion. In fact this was common practice during World War II in the Pacific, where both sides in the conflict regularly used coconut water, siphoned directly from the coconut, to give emergency transfusions to wounded soldiers.

Coconut oil
Coconut oil's saturated fat is of the medium-chain fatty acid variety, which are digested more easily and utilized differently by the body than other saturated fats (such as butter, meat and eggs). Whereas other saturated fats are stored in the body's cells, the medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil are sent directly to the liver where they are immediately converted into energy. Coconut oil will actually speed up metabolism so your body will burn more calories in a day which will contribute to weight loss. Coconut oil supports healthy metabolic function and is a revered anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal agent. Pacific islanders deem coconut oil to be the cure-all gift from nature for all illness.

Noni
This fruit has been used by Polynesian islanders as a regenerative medicine for more than 1500 years. Research documents that the noni fruit has astounding anti-bacterial properties, even against E-coli. It has anti-tumor activity, anti-inflammatory properties, is effective as a pain reliever, generates cell repair and strengthens the immune system. Noni contains a multitude of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and phytonutrients. Many believe that the synergistic effect of the multi-spectrum nutrients is what gives it its potency. It has been proven beneficial for colds and flu's, digestive disorders, skin disorders, pain relief, headaches, infections and more. For best results look for a freeze-dried product that uses only the whole fruit or when buying the juice look for a brand that does not use pasteurizing.

PS- THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.

PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO VIEW MY BLOG-

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