Annona The Benefits, Benefits And Harm Of Calories

These sweet, juicy, aromatic and nutrient-rich fruits are some of the most delicious tropical fruits. Green-yellow conical fruits from evergreen trees belong to the Annonaceae family and the Annon family. True, the commercial production of fruits is hindered by a short shelf life, delicate skin makes picking them difficult. But in spite of everything, fragrant annonas are becoming increasingly popular in temperate climates.

General characteristics

Annona is a branched tree or shrub up to 3-8 meters with greenish-yellow flowers. It blooms in spring and early summer. Begins to bear fruit by about 4-5 year. In the natural environment it is pollinated by insects, although in conditions of cultivation after artificial pollination it also pleases with good yields.

Annona fruit is irregular oval or conical shape with dark green skin and polygonal depressions. The size of an average fruit is about 10 cm in diameter and about 15 cm in length, weight is about 350-500 g. However, some varieties produce a larger crop. Ripe fruits can be from greenish to light brown. For them, the characteristic sweet aroma, noticeable even at a distance. The ripe fruit is easily recognizable by its creamy pulp with smooth, shiny black seeds, which, like Annon’s peel, are not edible.

You should know that in nature there are about 166 types of Annonas, which, although they have common characteristics, still slightly differ in the appearance of trees and fruits, as well as in taste.

Annona reticulata L is also known as Annona Mesh. She’s a cream apple. This species with small smooth fruits of conical shape grows mainly in India, Pakistan, some other regions of South Asia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia. Commercial fruit cultivation is practiced in Australia, South America, Asia, Spain, Italy and the USA (California).

A sugar apple, or Annona squamosa, is easily recognizable by the smooth conical protrusions on the body of the fruit (carpels). It has the traditional taste and aroma for Annona. The difference is proportionally lower fiber content, but more seeds.

Atemoya (Annona atemoya) is a hybrid of cherimoya (Annona cherimola) and sugar apple. Its feature is improved resistance to temperature and moisture, which allows growing a tree in the tropics.

Sour cream apple (Annona muricata), also known as Annona prickly, graviola, guanabana or sauce. The fruit of the graviola tree has a tart taste, and is much larger than the parameters of cherimoya fruit.

Among other popular species of this exotic tree: Annona smooth, Senegalese, variegated, sonkoya.

Functions in the body

The sweet and fragrant Annona fruit contains an impressive list of essential nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants and minerals. The calorie content of the fruit is almost identical to the indicator of mango – 75 kcal. Does not contain saturated fats and cholesterol.

Annona fruits can be used as an excellent source of fiber (contains on average 3-8 percent of the required daily requirement), which is necessary for the proper functioning of the intestine, rapid elimination of carcinogens, toxins and slags from the body, as well as to reduce cholesterol.

As part of most fruits, there are antioxidant substances that have been found to have anti-cancer, anti-malarial and anti-helminth effects. One of the key functions in this work is assumed by vitamin C, which is also represented in fruits in rather large quantities. And B vitamins have a beneficial effect on the work of the nervous system, relieve irritation and headaches.

The balance of potassium and sodium contributes to the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system, regulates blood pressure. In addition, soursop improves liver, nervous system, and also removes excess uric acid from the body.

Nutritional properties of Annona fruit (based on fresh fruit 100 g)

Energy 75 kcal Carbohydrates 18 Proteins 1,6 g Fats 0,7 g Cholesterol 0 g Fiber 3 g Folic acid 23 μg Niacin 0,64 mg Pantothenic acid 0,35 mg Pyridoxine 0,26 mg Riboflavin 0,13 mg Thiamine 0,1 mg Vitamin C 12,6 mg Vitamin E 0,27 mg Sodium 7 mg Potassium 287 mg Calcium 10 mg Copper 0,07 mg Iron 0,27 mg Magnesium 17 mg Manganese 0,09 mg Phosphorus 26 mg Zinc 0,16 mg Beta carotene 2 μg

Useful Properties

1. Strong immunity.

Annona fruits are usually rich in vitamin C, which is necessary for the health of the immune system. This nutritious fruit is a powerful natural antioxidant, helps the body resist infections, removes free radicals. Consequently, it produces resistance to common diseases such as the common cold, flu, and also prevents infectious diseases.

2. Anti-inflammatory properties.

Again, due to the high concentration of vitamin C, Annona fruit protects the body from all sorts of inflammatory processes.

3. Protection of the heart and blood vessels.

The presence of potassium and sodium in the composition of these fruits makes Annon a natural remedy for regulating blood pressure, heart rate. In addition, it turned out that the fruits of sour cream are able to reduce cholesterol levels, and therefore, improve blood flow to the heart, prevent hypertension, heart attack, stroke.

4. Anti-cancer agent.

The high content of antioxidants makes the fruits of the trees of the genus Annona useful in the fight against cancers. One of the reasons for the formation of cancer cells is free radicals. Antioxidants neutralize their action. In addition, the fiber contained in the fruit accelerates the elimination of toxins from the body, improves digestion and intestinal motility, thereby preventing gastrointestinal diseases, including the formation of malignant tumors. In addition, scientists argue that fiber is a panacea for breast cancer.

5. Brain health.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), which is one of the components of the chemical composition of these exotic animals, improves brain function, controls levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid, and therefore reduces irritability, depression, headache of various origins, reduces the effects of stress and relieves nervous tension.

6. Protection against osteoporosis.

Guanabans are rich in calcium – a vital nutrient for maintaining healthy bones. Thus, regular consumption of fruits can serve as a good prevention of osteoporosis.

7. Cytoprotective action.

Soursop apples provide a cytoprotective effect on the human body. Fruit extract increases the survival of body cells by releasing lactate dehydrogenase. High levels of LDH indicate that the cell has experienced an injury or illness.

8. Source of minerals.

As already noted, these fruits contain a high amount of potassium, which is necessary for the cardiovascular system. But Annona also contains many other minerals, including magnesium, sodium, zinc, manganese and some sodium.

9. Remedy for constipation.

A medium sized sour apple can provide the body with approximately 5 grams of fiber, which is almost 90 percent of the daily requirement. Due to this, Annon is considered a remedy against constipation.

10. For skin health.

Perhaps, you have already remembered that ascorbic acid is one of the many beneficial substances contained in the fruits of Annona. And just vitamin C makes these fruits extremely beneficial for maintaining healthy skin. The unique chemical composition of Annona promotes wound healing, production of collagen, which is necessary for the formation of new epidermis cells. Signs of aging, fine wrinkles and age spots are the result of free radicals on the body. The fruits of Annona will also help to overcome this nuisance.

11. For the beauty of hair.

The antioxidant effect and saturation of fruits with beneficial substances also have a positive effect on the health and appearance of the hair. The presence of copper in the composition of the fruit of Annona prevents the occurrence of premature gray hair.

The benefits and harms of soursop:

1. The bark of the tree is used to stop diarrhea in children and adults.
2. From fruits you can prepare a hair tonic (often used in India).
3. Included in some drugs against head lice.
4. Crushed leaves serve as the basis for medicine against hysteria and frequent syncope.
5. Concentrated decoction of leaves helps the healing of ulcers, wounds, cures dysentery.
6. Fruits are used to make sugar and some varieties of wine.
7. It is used as a means against harmful insects.

But in addition to a long list of beneficial properties, these tasty and fragrant fruits in extremely large doses can be dangerous for pregnant women because they have abortive properties. And scientists from Latin America suggest that excessive enthusiasm for sour-cream apples increases the risk of Parkinson’s disease.

How to choose and store the fruits of Annona

In natural habitat, the fruiting season of guanabans lasts from November to May. It is at this time worth buying fruit. They should be without damage, greenish-yellow, strong, medium size. Determine how ripe the fruit can be by gently pressing a finger (should be soft).

At room temperature, fruits deteriorate quickly. Therefore, it is better to keep whole fruits in the fridge, and wiped or excessively juicy to send in the freezer (so they can be saved for several weeks).

How to cook and serve a fruit dessert

Possessing a unique aroma and taste, these soursop apples are excellent as desserts. Before using the fruit should be washed with cold water.

The easiest way to feed is to cut the fruit along and eat, choosing the pulp with a spoon. Discard seeds and peels.

In addition, guanabana can be used to prepare:

• juices;
• cocktails;
• fruit salads;
• fillers for dairy desserts or ice cream;
• fillings for pies.

An exotic soursop, a bit like the appearance of a pineapple, confidently conquers the hearts of consumers in different countries. As people find out how this unusual fruit is useful, the number of its fans is only growing. And it is worth only once to try guanabana – to forget this delicious taste is no longer possible.