Interesting Facts On Natal Plum

The Natal plum is scientifically called as “Carissa macrocarpa” .

ORIGIN OF NATAL PLUM
Carissa macrocarpa is a shrub native to tropical and southern Africa.
The Natal plum (Carissa macrocarpa) is a member of the Dogbane or Apocynaceae family.
Natal plum can be found on sand dunes and on the edges of coastal forests in the Eastern Cape and northwards to Natal and Mozambique.

OTHER NAMES OF NATAL PLUM
Natal plum in South Africa called as the large num-num, big num-num, Bantu tribes of Uganda: Amatungulu or um Thungulu oBomvu and Afrikaans the fruit is called noem-noem, grootnoem-noem.

APPEARANCE OF NATAL PLUM
Natal plum fruit is in ovoid egg-shaped red fruit, 1-3 in. (2.5-7.6 cm) and is 16-seeded.
Natal plum fruit is green when unripe and turns into bright red to violet when ripe.
Natal plum fruit has tough skin which is slightly bitter in taste.

TASTES OF NATAL PLUM
Natal plum fruit has mild, slightly pungent flavor and juicy, tart, sourish-sweet taste.

VARIETIES OF NATAL PLUM
• ‘Emerald Blanket’
• ‘Nana’
• ‘Boxwood Beauty’
• ‘Fancy’
• ‘Tomlinson’
• Variegata’

NUTRITIONAL CONTENTS OF NATAL PLUM
1cup 150g 0f Natal Plums
• Water: 126.25g
• Energy: 93kcal (388kJ)
• Protein: 0.75g
• Total Fat: 1.95g
• Ash: 0.6g
• Carbohydrates: 20.45g
• Calcium: 16mg
• Iron: 1.97mg
• Magnesium: 24mg
• Phosphorous: 10mg
• Potassium: 390mg
• Sodium: 4mg
• Copper: 0.315mg
• Thiamine(B1): 0.06mg
• Riboflavin(B2): 0.09mg
• Niacin(B3): 0.3mg
• Vitamin C: 57mg
• Vitamin A: 60IU

HEALTH BENEFITS OF NATAL PLUM

Enhances Skin Health: vitamins C, vitamins E, vitamins A, vitamins K, and vitamins B complex in Natal plum helps in improving skin health, reducing skin damage and support skin structure . Natal plum’s vitamins reduce damage caused due to the free radicals, smoke pollution and other signs of aging.

Improves Eye Health: Natal plum fruit contains vitamin C , Zinc that protect against oxidative damage. Zinc is a mineral in Natal plum that helps to maintain the health of the retina, cell membranes, and protein structure of the eye. Melanin is a pigment in Natal plum that protects the eyes from UV light.

Strengthen Bone Health: Natal plum fruit has required amount of calcium,vitamin D and magnesium are key bone health nutrients that ensure you to meet your daily requirement.

Manages Blood Sugar Level: The Natal plum fruit also contains zinc and magnesium that include glycaemic indicators to regulate blood sugar levels and insulin activity. The Natal plum fruit can help people with diabetes to maintain sugar level in our body.

Reduces Cholesterol: Natal plum fruit contains B vitamin as niacin for reducing high cholesterol or heart concerns. Natal plum increases the level of good cholesterol ,and reduces triglycerides which also lowers cholesterol absorption in the bloodstream.

Prevents Anemia: Natal Plum has a good amount of iron and copper that not only prevents anemia and builds hemoglobin but also prevent weakness and fatigue, depression and dizziness.

Lowers Blood Pressure: Natal Plum fruit also contains good amounts of potassium and Magnesium which regulate blood pressure and improves muscle function.

Fortified Oral Health: Natal Plums are rich in vitamin A, Vitamin C that helps break down food and cleans bacteria from in between teeths and keep the connective tissues in gums healthy and strong.

Bolsters Immune System: Natal plum contain certain infections fighter nutrients like vitamin A, iron, zinc and vitamin C .These powerful antioxidants helps our body carry oxygen to cells, plays a part in immune system processes.

Supports Digestive System: Natal Plums contains fibre that plays a major role in digestion and helps to keep the digestive tract with easy soft and regular bowel movements.

Interesting Facts On Natal Plum