The Lucuma benefits For health are numerous: it prevents cardiovascular diseases and cancer, it is a natural sweetener, it reduces the anemia, it is anti-inflammatory and cicatrizante, it avoids the constipation and others that next we explain to you.
We speak of the lucuma to refer to the fruit from the lúcumo - Pouteria lucuma - a tree from areas of Peru, Chile and Ecuador. It is a fruit destined to the world of the resposteria, being used in a great variety of sweets, shakes, desserts or even ice cream.
This large tree can reach up to 15 meters in height. It presents a pale wood next to some dark green leaves with elliptical form.
The lucuma has a rounded shape with a green tint. It can measure up to 15 cm in diameter and on average weighs around 200 grams. The pulp is observed yellow and orange, being similar to the one of a peach. You may have one bone, or sometimes two, in your nucleus.
Its flavor is sugary and intense, leaving a strange and curious taste in the mouth after ingesting it. This makes it difficult to eat it as it is, and that is why it is working in several ways.
Now, how do you work this fruit?
Once it is in full maturity, we will extract it from its tree and then wrap it in straw. If we do not need this envelope we can use some similar material.
Properties and benefits of lucuma
1- Helps correct neuronal functioning
Normally, we find niacin in the meats, but surprisingly, the fruit of the lucum contains high levels of this nutrient. A total of 1.96 grams per 100 of this fruit can be found in its composition.
Also called vitamin B3, it helps improve neuronal functioning especially in short-term memory and Chronic fatigue .
In addition, it helps to regulate hormones related to Depressive states , stress And sex.
For vegetarians, lucuma is a perfect food to add vitamin B3 to your diets without having to use supplements.
2- Prevention of cardiovascular diseases
Its amount of niacin helps lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood and therefore avoids problems related to obesity and cardiovascular disease.
In 2009, the scientific journal Journal of Medicinal Food Public Said that the consumption of this fruit helps the Treatment of hypertension .
3- Good source of defense against cancer
Its color, between yellow and orange, reveals the presence of beta-carotene, a component that produces this type of coloration. This substance potentiates the appearance of antioxidants that protect against cancer of the esophagus, liver, pancreas, colon, rectum, prostate, ovaries and cervix.
In addition, beta-carotene is a great source of vitamin A, thus causing effective cell growth and a great help to improve our vision. This avoids dysfunctions such as cataracts or even loss of vision resulting from retinal degeneration.
4- Natural sweetener and regulator
This fruit is used for many culinary uses, all of them destined for confectionery.
Its widespread use is due to its function as a powerful natural sweetener, sweetening the food without having to use sugar.
To give you an idea, two medium tablespoons of lucuma are equivalent to one of sugar.
In addition, thanks to its low glycemic index, it can be used as a remedy for Regulate blood sugar , And therefore, type 2 diabetes.
5- Reduces anemia
The fruit of the lúcumo stands out as an important source of minerals such as zinc or calcium (it is stipulated that a lucuma fruit is equivalent to a glass of cow's milk). But undoubtedly, it is the iron that takes the palm with a total of 0.4 grams per 100.
With large doses in its composition, iron improves oxygen transport between cells. It also improves the quality of life of pregnant women and avoids the appearance of anemia in the blood.
It is common to see supplements made up of lucuma for pregnant women who are in a weak state of health.
6- Avoid constipation
Our digestive system will benefit because of the large amount of fiber it enjoys - 1.3 grams per 100 - lucuma.
He constipation And abdominal distension will reduce their effects due to the flushing of toxins produced by the fiber in the body.
7- Anti-inflammatory and healing
A study Conducted by the University of Rutgers, New Jersey, concluded that lucuma has anti-inflammatory and healing effects on the different aches and pains.
It is advisable to take a shake that mixes cinnamon, ginger and lucuma, since it is the perfect combination to help reduce the inflammations suffered.
On the other hand, the latex of the lúcumo is used against herpes, warts and irritations of the skin.
8- Treats Colds
Being an antibacterial fruit, it helps prevent countless viral diseases like influenza or colds. This protection is due to the large amount of minerals and vitamins available.
In many cases, Lucuma can function as a natural substitute for antibiotics.
Curiosities
- The lucuma is a symbol of longevity and fertility for the Peruvian people.
- This fruit has been consumed for millennia. It is known that in pre-Hispanic times it was used as a crop by the ancient Maya and especially Incas. Precisely, the latter called it"edible gold"because of the appreciation they had.
- The consumption of fresh lucuma has been restricted in Spain for years, due to the regulation of European application on the consumption of new foods. It concerned foods which had not been consumed by Europeans before 15 May 1997.
- In its most natural form, it is difficult to get, since it grows at altitudes between 1300 and 3000 meters. On the contrary, its powdered state is much easier to obtain.