Health Benefits of Pacay Fruit
Pacay Fruit is scientifically called as Inga feuilleei .
ORIGIN OF PACAY FRUIT
Pacay is a tree in the family Fabaceae native to Andean valleys of north-western South America. Pacay trees, as is the case with other trees in genus Inga, produce pods that contain an edible white pulp and have nitrogen-fixing roots.
OTHER NAMES OF PACAY FRUIT
English: ice-cream beans, food inga;
Quechua: pa’qay, paccai (Cuzco);
Aymara: paqaya;
Spanish: pacay, pacae, pacay de Perú, guama, guamo;
French: pois sucre;
Portuguese: ingá cipó, rabo de mico .
APPEARANCE OF PACAY FRUIT
Pacay trees grow up to 18 meters in height and produce elongated, cylindrical pods that hang from the branches.
The dark green pods vary in size, averaging 3 to 30 centimeters in length, and can be straight to slightly curved with a thick, leathery consistency.
Inside the pod, a white, cotton-like pulp with a spongy texture encases multiple smooth, black seeds.
TASTES OF PACAY FRUIT
Pacay fruit’s chewy, white pulp is edible when fresh and has a subtly sweet flavor similar to vanilla.
NUTRITIONAL CONTENTS OF PACAY FRUIT
Ice Cream Bean is packed with antioxidants, vitamins A, B and C, fibre and protein.
100 grams of fruit will nurture our body with these nutrients:
• Calories: 118
• Protein: 10.7 g
• Fat: 0.7 g
• Total carbohydrate: 24.0 g
• Fibre: 1.6 g
Additionally, the pulp has:
• Calories: 60
• Protein: 1.0 g
• Fat: 0.1 g
• Total carbohydrate: 15.5 g
• Fibre: 1.2 g
Health Benefits of Pacay Fruit
The seeds of Inga when dried contains: per 100 g, 339 calories, 12.6% moisture, 18.9 g protein, 2.1 g fat, 62.9 g total carbohydrate, 3.4 g fibre, 3.5 g ash.
Promotes Eye Health: Ice cream bean consists vitamin A compositions which is actually good to maintain the health of eyes. Ice cream bean prevents from the night blindness or cataract.
Enhances Skin: Ice cream bean consists vitamin C that keeps our skin cells rejuvenate and replenish. Ice cream bean fights against free radical and protect our skin from oxidative damage and prevent from wrinkles, dark sports, signs of aging.
Helps to Lose Weight: Ice cream bean fruit tastes like vanilla ice cream also low in calories which is good for weight reduction and provide health conscious.
Balances Blood Sugar: Ice cream bean consists of good amount of protein and fibre. Due to its high level of fibre and protein in Ice cream bean controls the blood sugar level in the blood.
Maintains Heart Health: Ice cream bean consists of fibre may help lower total blood cholesterol levels by lowering low-density lipoprotein, or “bad,” cholesterol levels and also reduce blood pressure and inflammation.
Boosts Immune System: Ice cream bean holds rich Vitamin C, that stimulates neutrophil, enhances phagocytosis , oxidant generation, and microbial killing.
Strengthen Bones: Ice cream bean is a good source of calcium and mineral compositions which helps to strengthen the bones , makes them stronger , healthier and prevent osteoporosis.
Anti- Inflammatory Properties: Rheumatism is a disease caused by inflammation and pain to the joins or muscles. Ice cream bean consist of huge amount of anti-inflammatory properties, which helps to keep the bones strong and offer relief from pain.
Prevents Cancer: Ice Cream Bean fruits consists of compounds like flavanol quercetin, gallic acid and epicatechin which are anti-cancer. Ice cream bean fruits in your regular diet helps to reduce the risks of cancer.
Aids Digestion: Ice cream bean contain trypsin and chymotrypsin which work to convert proteins into amino acids.
