A Special Fruit is 'Custard Apple' (Sharifa)

According to Ayurveda, the custard apple, which is cool in nature and rich in nutrients, is a fruit that not only makes the body healthy but is also used in the treatment of many diseases. Besides the fruit, its leaves, the bark of the tree, the peel of the fruit, and the seeds are also very useful. Custard apple is also known by names like Sharifa, Sugar Apple, Sweetsop, etc. Along with important information about this fruit and its use, let's find out what benefits you can get from its consumption and how you can use it.

What is a Custard Apple?

Custard apple or Sharifa, said to be the fruit of deciduous trees of Central America or the West Indies, is also believed to be of Indian origin, i.e., an Indian native fruit, as it appears to be depicted in the paintings of ancient Indian sculptures. It is also said that Mother Sita offered this fruit to Lord Rama to eat during their exile, which is why this fruit is called Sitaphal. Being very dear to Sita, this fruit is also called Lakshmipriya. Therefore, according to Hindu beliefs, offering it to Mother Lakshmi or Lord Narayan in Lakshmi Puja and Diwali Puja is considered very auspicious and beneficial. Along with its very sweet, white, creamy, soft pulp's delicious taste, the custard apple is also counted in the category of a special fruit due to its qualities. The fruit, with its green and rough peel on the outside, has a white and creamy pulp inside, which is filled with a large quantity of black and brown shiny long seeds. Due to its extremely sweet and soft taste, people eat it with great relish. A ripe fruit is so soft that it can be split into two parts with a light press of the hand; a knife is not needed to cut or peel it. Perhaps because it is so easy to eat, this fruit has been given the name "Sharif" or "Sharifa" in common parlance.

Nutrients found in Custard Apple

In addition to elements like protein, carbohydrates, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, calcium, fiber, and antioxidants, the custard apple also contains essential vitamins and a key element, ascorbic acid or vitamin C. This is an element that our body does not produce on its own; its requirement in our body is fulfilled by the food we consume. Therefore, to fulfill the need for such important nutrients, it is very necessary to include custard apple in your diet in some form. 1/5 of our daily vitamin C requirement is fulfilled by just one custard apple. Besides this, it is a fruit free from cholesterol and saturated fat, and the amount of sodium in it is also very low, which makes it a healthy and useful fruit from a health perspective.

Benefits of Custard Apple

1. With a high calorie value, the custard apple is a very good source of energy. Its simple sugars, i.e., glucose and fructose, meet the body's essential energy needs, so fatigue and weakness are not felt. Also, being rich in iron, it cures anemia, i.e., lack of blood, as well as body lethargy.
2. The custard apple contains a rich treasure of skin-enriching elements like natural antioxidant vitamin C, besides vitamin A, zinc, and copper. This makes them work in harmony to effectively combat allergies, boils, pimples, acne, and other skin and hair-related diseases, and they provide the body with the strength to fight diseases, i.e., the ability to boost the immune system. In addition, other antioxidants like flavonoids and phenolic compounds eliminate free radicals in the body and reduce oxidative stress.
3. Although the custard apple is a sweet fruit, its low glycemic index helps in controlling the symptoms of diabetes by increasing insulin production and glucose absorption.
4. Rich in vitamin B-6, the custard apple not only cools the brain but also stimulates it. This helps in reducing mental irritability, frustration, and depression, which not only increases mental peace and concentration but also helps in lifting the mood.
5. The custard apple is also a good source of vitamin K, which helps in providing potential protection against osteoporosis. It also contains phosphorus, which helps in developing and maintaining strong bones.
6. The abundant fiber from the custard apple is not only helpful in reducing weight by satisfying hunger and reducing the craving for untimely and unhealthy food, but it is also beneficial in many stomach-related diseases and constipation by improving digestive functions.
7. The magnesium element found in the custard apple is also very useful for heart health. It not only helps in controlling heart diseases, but the level of high blood pressure and increased cholesterol is also balanced by it, which makes the heart arteries healthy and strong and reduces the risk of heart-related diseases.
8. The riboflavin carotenoid antioxidant lutein found in the custard apple is an essential antioxidant for improving eye health. The consumption of lutein also helps in avoiding age-related eye problems like cataracts and increasing eyeglass numbers.

How to eat Custard Apple?

1. The pulp of the custard apple can be easily eaten by scooping it with a spoon. But the seeds and peel found in its pulp are of a toxic nature, so while eating, be especially careful of the peel and seeds.
2. The pulp of the custard apple is generally not eaten cooked. Instead, the fresh puree obtained by straining the pulp of the fresh fruit should be used in making salads or other dishes.
3. Being energy-rich, it is a good "baby food." The fresh puree of its deseeded pulp can also be used by mixing it in children's porridge or baby food.
4. Delicious milkshakes and ice cream can also be prepared by mixing the pulp of the custard apple with cold milk and vanilla ice cream.
5. Its smoothie, syrup, squash, and jam can also be prepared by mixing it with other fruits.

Besides the custard apple, the leaves of its tree, the juice of the leaves, the bark of the tree, the seeds of the fruit, and the peel are also used to cure digestive problems, arthritis, and other medical problems.

1. The seeds of the custard apple, which are of a toxic nature, are dried and their powder is used as an insecticide. Applying a paste of this powder mixed with water to the head also eliminates the problem of head lice.
2. Applying a paste of custard apple seeds ground in raw milk on the round bald patches caused by fungal infection on the head cures baldness.
3. The bark of its tree is used to reduce gum-related diseases and toothache.
4. Applying a paste of custard apple leaves on boils and pimples provides relief.
5. Applying a paste of the pulp of the ripe fruit mixed with salt on lumps or bumps on the body cures the problem of lumps on the skin.