Fruits

Health Benefits of Cupuaçu

A typical and very popular fruit in the South American region, especially in Brazil, cupuaçu has a series of properties that can offer several benefits for the health of the body, and can even be considered more beneficial than açaí.

In addition to the major health  benefits of cupuaçu , its cultivation is less aggressive to the environment than açaí.

It is possible to consume the cupuaçu fruit in several ways, being the cream, the juice or the cupuaçu mousse and several other recipes.

Here, you will learn about the health benefits of cupuaçu and various other information about the fruit. Check out.

ABOUT CUPUAÇU

The cupuaçu fruit is native to the Amazon forest region, and can reach up to 25 cm, having an oval shape. The cupuaçu tree can reach up to 15 m in height.

The fruit can be found in South American countries, such as Brazil, Colombia and Peru, having a brown color and a whitish colored pulp.

The fruit ripens during the rainy season in the tropical region, between the months of January and April.

Its flavor and aroma are pleasant, recalling the taste of cocoa, with a fruity odor of papaya and banana.

In general, especially in the Amazon River basin, the fruit is consumed as a dessert, and it is common to find recipes for cupuaçu cream and cupuaçu mousse as typical dishes in these places.

CUPUAÇU PROPERTIES

The fruit has a very rich nutritional composition, with the following vitamins and minerals being found:

  • Vitamin A;
  • Vitamin B;
  • Vitamin C;
  • Amino acids;
  • Fibers;
  • Single polyphenols;
  • Calcium;
  • Phosphor;
  • Selenium;
  • Iron
  • Potassium;
  • Flavonoids;
  • And several others;

The fruit’s components guarantee it antioxidant properties, which fight the action of free radicals, preventing the premature aging of the body’s cells, keeping the skin beautiful and showy.

DOES CUPUACU GET FAT?

The fruit has a relatively high caloric value, which leads many people to believe that the consumption of cupuaçu is fattening .

The calories of cupuaçu reach 65 kcal per unit of 50 grams, approximately.

However, if consumed in moderation and especially fresh, the fruit, being rich in fiber, nutrients and vitamins, can help in the weight loss process, being a great source of energy, especially for the practice of physical activities.

The ideal is to consume the cupuaçu pulp in natura, avoiding the addition of sugar or fat, in this way, it can help you lose weight.

BENEFITS OF CUPUAÇU 

As it is a typical fruit from the north of the country, it may be that, in the rest of Brazil, people have had contact only with industrialized versions of foods and cosmetics that use cupuaçu in their composition.

However, this has been changing, since it has gained increasing prominence as a beneficial fruit for health, and can already be found in natura in several other regions of the country. Which is great, as more people can count on its many benefits.

The composition of the fruit has several benefits. Among them are those listed below:

1. It helps the body’s metabolism work better:

The fruit is sold in some countries, such as the United States, in the form of capsules or powder, because, there, the cultivation of cupuaçu is affected by the climate.

Consuming the fruit in this way is interesting because it can help the body’s metabolic function work better and is a good food supplement to encourage weight and fat loss.

This is due to the action of its micronutrients, which increase energy levels, which, consequently, increases fat burning, preventing its storage by the body.

In addition, the fruit has properties that can be compared to caffeine, but, as it does not have these substances in its composition, it can be considered even healthier.

What’s more, one of the primary functions of cupuaçu is to stimulate the proper functioning of the immune system.

2. Makes the bowel work better, preventing and treating abdominal pain:

Due to the vitamins and minerals present in the composition of the fruit, it has properties that act to improve the functioning of the intestine, stimulating the gastrointestinal system to work well.

In ancient times, in Indian villages, the fruit was used as a medicine for those who suffered from intestinal pain and in women during labor, to reduce pain at that time.

Cupuaçu juice was also used by the Indians, being blessed by the shamans and given to pregnant women and couples who were trying to have children.

As a result, today, the fruit is still used by people with pain and discomfort in the abdominal region.

3. Provides energy for the body

Another function of the fruit, as in the case of açaí, is to offer energy, being a good ally to be consumed before the practice of physical activity to provide energy for the body.

Increasing the energy level, the fruit is responsible for increasing the burning of calories and body fat.

As we said before, its effect is similar to caffeine and can be considered even healthier.

Mixing cupuacu with açaí is a good alternative before exercising. The mixture, in addition to providing a lot of energy, has an extremely pleasant taste.

4. Helps you lose weight and reduce body fat:

Because it contains vitamin C in its composition, the fruit is a good ally in the process of weight loss and reducing body fat, because it increases the production of carnitine, a substance that acts in the transport of fat cells to the mitochondria, where it is transformed into energy.

If the levels of Vitamin C in the body are low, the body does not produce this substance effectively, leading to accumulation of fat.

In addition, Vitamin C deficiency can also raise blood levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

Too much cortisol can encourage weight gain as it encourages accumulation of abdominal fat.

What’s more, the Vitamin C present in the fruit’s composition has an antioxidant action, preventing aging and degenerative diseases, in addition to stimulating collagen production, keeping the skin firm and with more elasticity.

5.Anti-inflammatory action:

Those who consume the fruit may notice a decrease in the occurrence of inflammation and chronic fatigue.

6. Increases the feeling of satiety:

The fruit has many fibers in its composition, thus ensuring a greater feeling of satiety, stimulating weight loss, since it reduces the desire to eat, especially sweets.

7. Helps fight and prevent cancer:

The presence of the antioxidant theograndins and flavonoids in the composition of the fruit makes it help and destroy cancer cells, especially in cases of cervical cancer.

8. Acts on rejuvenation:

The fruit can be pointed out as a fountain of youth, since the great presence of antioxidants in its composition stimulates the fight against the action of free radicals, ensuring protection against the premature aging of skin cells.

9.Decreases bad cholesterol:

The presence of fatty acids in the composition of the fruit helps to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, neutralizing the harmful effects of LDL, which occurs due to its action against the deterioration of lipids by oxidation.

10. Strengthens the immune system and has anti-inflammatory action:

The properties found in the composition of the fruit act to strengthen the body’s immune system, preventing diseases such as flu and inflammatory processes.

With anti-inflammatory properties, the fruit helps in the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as gout and arthritis, reducing pain and preventing frequent attacks.

11.Improvement in digestion:

With several vitamins, minerals and fiber in its composition, the fruit can help improve digestion and intestinal transit, being responsible for combating abdominal pain and colds.

12. Protection of the heart:

In addition to helping to reduce the impact of bad cholesterol on the body, the fruit prevents heart disease, strengthening the cardiovascular system, protecting the arterial walls from damage that can harm the heart.

Frequent consumption of the fruit helps prevent the occurrence of heart attacks, hypertension, arteriosclerosis and strokes.

 

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Robert Asprin, APD is a non-dieting Accredited Practicing Dietitian passionate about inspiring positive changes in eating and lifestyle behaviors to help improve health while nurturing relationships with food and body.

Robert Asprin

Robert Asprin, APD is a non-dieting Accredited Practicing Dietitian passionate about inspiring positive changes in eating and lifestyle behaviors to help improve health while nurturing relationships with food and body.

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