Fruit - Custard Apple

CusteredApple/Cherimoya

Principle	NutrientValue	Percentage of RDA
Energy	75 Kcal	4%
Carbohydrates	17.71 g	13.5%
Protein	1.57 g	3%
Total Fat	0.68 g	3%
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
DietaryFiber	3 g	8%
Vitamins
Folates	23 µg	6%
Niacin	0.644 mg	4%
Pantothenicacid	0.345 mg	7%
Pyridoxine	0.257 mg	20%
Riboflavin	0.131 mg	10%
Thiamin	0.101 mg	8%
Vitamin A	5 IU	<1%
Vitamin C	12.6 mg	21%
Vitamin E	0.27 mg	2%
Electrolytes
Sodium	7 mg	0.5%
Potassium	287 mg	6%
Minerals
Calcium	10 mg	1%
Copper	0.069 mg	8%
Iron	0.27 mg	3%
Magnesium	17 mg	4%
Manganese	0.093 mg	4%
Phosphorus	26 mg	4%
Zinc	0.16 mg	1%
Phyto-nutrients
Carotene-ß	2 µg	--
Crypto-xanthin-ß	1 µg	--
Lutein-zeaxanthin	6 µg	--

1. Helps To Gain Weight:Custard apple is an ideal snack and/or dessert for those who wish to put on some weight. A calorie-laden fruit, the sugars present in it make peps up the metabolic rate, thus, stimulating the appetite levels. The more your appetite is, the better the food intake will be. This, in turn, can help you gain weight.
2. Improves Immune System:Custard apples are excellent sources of the natural antioxidant Vitamin C. This vitamin is also renowned for its innate anti-inflammatory and immune boosting properties. Include just one serving of this creamy fruit in your daily diet for a better resistance against infectious agents. It scavenges harmful free radicals in the body, preventing the onset of various illnesses and diseases.
   Custard apple is an excellent source of energy. It helps to fight exhaustion and eliminates muscle weakness.
3. Combat Cancer:The bark of custard apple contains astringent properties and tannins, which is utilized for making herbal supplements. These supplements help in the treatment of several types of cancer and tumors. The fruit contains compounds like acetogenin and alkaloids that reduce the risk of cancer and renal failure. It acts against cancer cells, without adversely affecting healthy cells. Antioxidants such as asimicin and bullatacin are also found to have anti-cancer and anti-helminthes properties. These antioxidants neutralize the effects of free radicals, preventing cancer. It also contains significant fiber, which protects the colon membrane by warding off toxic substance from the gut, reducing the risk of liver and colon risk. It also provides protection from breast cancer.
4. Strong Dental and Eye Care:The skin of custard apple is helpful for fighting against tooth and gum pain.
   Custard apple contains riboflavin and vitamin C, which helps to combat free radical destruction. This helps in maintaining good eyesight.
5. Good for Heart:The well-balanced ratio of sodium and potassium in custard apple regulates and controls blood pressure fluctuations in the body. The high levels of magnesium in custard apple unwinds the smooth muscles of the heart and calms the jerks and cramps, thus preventing heart attack and stroke. Niacin and fiber in custard apple lowers bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol in the body. It also prevents the absorption of cholesterol in the gut. Custard apple also prevents the free radicals from attacking lipid, promoting heart health.
6. Good in Pregnancy:Custard apple is an excellent source of copper. It is a trace mineral which helps the body to form hemoglobin. Pregnant women need 1000 micrograms of copper each day for proper development of the fetus. Low levels of copper in the body can lead to premature birth in the child. Consuming custard apple during pregnancy is very healthy.
   Regular consumption of custard apple is also good for the growth of the baby. It also helps in the development of the brain of the fetus.
   Custard apple is a rich source of iron, which reduces the risk of premature birth of the baby. It reduces the extent of labor pain in expectant women. It is also known to increase the milk production in pregnant and lactating women.
   Custard apple contains high amounts of antioxidants, which keeps infection at bay.

1. Good For Fetal Skin And Hair:Custard apple contains high amounts of vitamin A and C, which is very beneficial for maintaining the skin, eyes and hair of the fetus.
2. Anti Aging:The antioxidants fight the harsh rays of the sun, protecting from sun damage. Consumption of custard apple helps in the regeneration of skin cells and contributes in making the skin youthful.
3. Lowers Pigmentation:Custard apple decreases the clustering of melanin granules, reducing brown spots and pigmentation. It also helps to reverse the pigmentation caused due to the free radicals.
4. Hair Care:
   1. Luxurious, Moisturized Hair with Seeds Custard apple seed oil is useful for taming wavy and coarse hair. It hydrates and moisturizes the scalp, making the hair lustrous, voluminous and shiny. The high levels of vitamin A in custard apple seed oil hydrate the hair without weighing it down.
   2. Prevents Premature Graying:The high levels of copper in custard apple contribute to the formation of melanin, preventing premature hair graying. It also maintains the natural color of the hair.
   3. For Better Hair Growth:It inhibits scalp inflammation, preventing hair fall. It also facilitates the absorption of nutrients, providing nourishment to the hair. The high amount of iron in custard apple improves blood circulation in the scalp, stimulating the follicles to promote hair growth.
   4. Prevents Premature Graying:The high levels of copper in custard apple contribute to the formation of melanin, preventing premature hair graying. It also maintains the natural color of the hair.

1. Cold Nature:Custard apple is very cold in nature, so do not consume it in excess amounts as it can make one sick.
2. Poisonous Seeds:The seeds of custard apple fruit are poisonous. Do not consume it.
3. Care for Diabetics:Since these fleshy, creamy fruits are rich in sugar, diabetes patients are advised to not consume custard apple in high amounts.

1. Season Available:Season lasts from November until May.
2. Selection:Avoid those with broken skin, surface blemishes and overly-ripen ones as they stay poorly.Ripe fruits just yield to gentle pressure.
3. Storing:keep mature fruits in a fruit basket at room temperature until them ripe. Cherimoya has a very short shelf life. Once ripen, it quickly deteriorates at room temperature. As in bananas, whole cherimoya cannot either be stored inside the refrigerator for a long period as they sustain chilling injury to skin and flesh. However, juiced or pureed fruit may be kept inside the refrigerator for several weeks.
4. Serving:Cut the fruit lengthwise and eat it scooping with spoon. Discard seeds and peel.
5. Safety:
6. Cooking Tips:
   1. Pulp pureed and mixed with other fruits in salads or can be used on ice-cream toppings.
   2. Cherimoya juice is a refreshing drink.
   3. Tart flavored guanabana or soursop can be mixed with honey, sugar, milk, and ice; and serve chilled as sorbet or with other fruit cocktails and milkshakes.