Health Benefits of Marula Fruit
The Marula fruit is scientifically called as Sclerocarya birrea .
ORIGIN OF MARULA FRUIT
The marula trees found in the miombo woodlands of Southern Africa, the Sudano-Sahelian range of West Africa, the savanna woodlands of East Africa and Madagascar.
OTHER NAMES OF MARULA FRUIT
King of African, Tree of Elephants , Tree of Marriage , drives elephants mad , Morula , Jelly Plum, Cider Tree, Elephant Tree, Marriage Tree, Cat Thorn, Canhoeiro, Dania, Mutsomo, Umganu, Mushomo, Eijikai, Ejikai, Ekajijai, Enaimu , Gene .
APPEARANCE OF MARULA FRUIT
The Marula fruit is very juicy and aromatic and size of a small plum.
Marula fruit fall to the ground when unripe and green in color, and then ripen to a yellow colour on the ground.
TASTES OF MARULA FRUIT
Fully ripe marula fruits are tart, with a pleasant sweet-and-sour taste. The ripe fruit has a unique tropical pineapple flavour.
The highly nutritious kernels, which are eaten raw and roasted, are rich in antioxidants.
VARIETIES OF MARULA FRUIT
Sclerocarya birrea includes 3 subspecies:
Sclerocarya birrea subsp. birrea,
Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra,
Sclerocarya birrea subps.
NUTRITIONAL CONTENTS OF MARULA FRUIT
The Marula fruits are rich in Vitamin C, Oleic acid, and Antioxidants .
The nuts are nutritious and contain high levels of: Minerals like iron, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, copper, Protein and Energy
• Moisture4.0
• Ash3.8
• Protein (g/100g)28.3
• Fat (g/100g)57.3
• Fibre (g/100g)2.9
• Carbohydrates (g/100g)3.7
• Energy Values (KJ/100g)2703
• Ca (mg/100g)118
• Mg (mg/100g)462
• Fe (mg/100g)4.87
• Na (mg/100g)3.81
• K (mg/100g)601
• Cu (mg/100g)2.81
• Zn (mg/100g)5.19
• P (mg/100g)808
• Thiamine (mg/100g)0.42
• Riboflavin (mg/100g)0.12
• Nicotinic Acid (mg/100g)0.72
HEALTH BENEFITS OF MARULA FRUIT
Rejuvenates Skin: Marula fruit has the ability to support healthy skin by stimulating the collagen to aid in wrinkle repair and supply smoothness to the skin. Marula fruit provides vitamin C antioxidant properties to prevent cell damage and oxidative stress in the body.
Protects Eye: Marula fruit contains niacin that plays a role in the preventing glaucoma, a condition in which the optic nerve of our eye becomes damaged.
Promotes Bones Health: Calcium, potassium and magnesium found in the fruit shall promote for the healthy bones. Potassium in marula fruit, tends to prevent some diseases related with bones such as osteoporosis.
Good for Heart: Marula fruit has the most crucial minerals for heart health including magnesium, potassium and calcium. These minerals play very specific roles in the Marula stimulate proper heartbeat.
Strengthens Muscle: Vitamin C, Polyphenols and other antioxidants in the Marula fruit are supposed to strengthen muscles. Marula fruit helps to make the muscle stronger.
Boosts Immunity: Antioxidants, Vitamin C, zinc, iron in Marula fruit is believed to boost immunity which may lead to improve overall health because the body fights several harmful bacteria or diseases.
Supports Lungs: Marula fruit is rich in vitamin C, D, magnesium, omega-3s, zinc, and selenium may also help promote lung health, prevent from the lungs disorder, such as COPD, asthma, and certain forms of cancer.
Enhance Hair Growth: Marula fruit hold rich vitamin C, iron and zinc that helps to support our hair growth. Marula protects the hair from hair loss ,gets thick and shiny hair.
Reduces the risk of Cancer: Marula also supported by oleic acid that has the benefit to reduce the risk of cancer, such as breast and lung cancer, which has been proven by studies.
