Sapote fruit nutritions

Sapote (marmalade plums) is a tropical fruit having the size of a grapefruit or orange and is bright green or brown in color. The outer surface of the sapote is brown in color same as potato and internally it has white pulp with sticky latex called as saponin in unripe fruits. When the fruit is ripe, the flesh inside is becomes red or brown in color. The flavor of this fruit is almost liked by everyone. The pulp of the fruit is deliciously sweet in nature with smooth or grainy texture. It contains 3-10 black colored smooth, shiny seeds which are “bean” shaped and present in the center of the fruit. Ripened sapotes can be stored for up to one week in the refrigerator.

Due to its delicious flavor, fruit is commonly used as an ingredient in ice creams. Also, these fruits are popular for private consumption in smoothies, salads, and desserts. Sapotes are available in various varieties such as the mamey, black skinned, green skinned, yellow skinned and about half a dozen more uncommon varieties pop up in grocery stores and farmer’s markets from time to time. Sapote is rarely available in the United States. It is commonly available in India. This fruit is a native of the highlands of Mexico, but has grown in California since the early 1800s. This fruits are best served when they are fresh and chilled, and then they can be cut into wedge. Many people believed that the flavor of the fruit bears a striking resemblance to caramel.

Nutrients present in sapote fruit are:

• Fat
  • Saturated Fat
• Carbohydrates
  • Dietary Fiber
• Protein
• Vitamin
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin C
  • Thiamin
  • Riboflavin
  • Niacin
• Mineral
  • Sodium
  • Potassium
  • Phosphorus
  • Magnesium
  • Calcium
  • Iron

Also, it contains following amino acids in very small amount:

• Tryptophan
• Threonine
• Isoleucine
• Leucine
• Lysine
• Methionine
• Phenylalanine
• Tyrosine
• Valine
• Arginine
• Histidine
• Alanine
• Aspartic acid
• Glutamic acid
• Glycine
• Proline
• Serine

Health benefits of sapote fruit:

• It is a good source of minerals like potassium, copper, iron and vitamins like folate, niacin and pantothenic acid which are essential for health living as they involve in various metabolic processes in the body as cofactors for the enzymes.
• Also, it contains good amounts of antioxidant vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for vision and also for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Regular consumption of natural fruits which are rich in vitamin A, protect the body from lung and oral cavity cancers. Vitamin C is helpful for the body to fight against infectious disease and it acts as a scavenger for harmful free radicals.
• Sapote fruit contains good amount of dietary fiber, which makes it a good bulk laxative. The fiber content of the fruit helps to relieve constipation and also it protect the mucous membrane of the colon from cancer causing toxins by firmly binding to them.
• The fruit is rich in antioxidant poly-phenolic compound tannin which has potential antiviral, antibacterial and anti-parasitic effects. Also, it has many medicinal applications such as anti-diarrheal, hemostatic, and anti-hemorrhoidal remedies.
• A fluid extract of the crushed seeds is employed in Yucatan as a sedative and soporific.
• A paste of the seeds is applied on stings and bites from poisonous animals.