If you don’t know what the egg fruit is, you are not alone. However, if it seems familiar to you, then you must have had a “wild” childhood.
Benefits of Egg Fruit
- 1. Egg fruit helps the body fight bacteria
- 2. Supports cognitive function and brain development
- 3. Anti-inflammatory properties
- 4. Cancer prevention
- 5. Pain relief for gout sufferers
- 6. Lowers blood sugar levels
- 7. Antioxidant properties
- 8. Nutrient-rich
- 9. Lowers blood pressure
- 10. Good for cardiovascular health
- 11. Improves digestion
- 12. A source of vitamin C
- 13. Reduces stress
Egg fruit has a sweet, pleasant taste.
The scientific name of the egg fruit is Aratilis, which grows abundantly in Mexico, Brazil, the Philippines, and even Vietnam.
In regions where this tree thrives, it is often eaten by children because they love this fruit’s sweet and pleasant flavor. The leaves are also very useful and are commonly used to make tea. In Brazil, fruit-bearing plants are often cultivated to attract fish, making it a common sight along riverbanks.
According to herbalist Vũ Quốc Trung (Hanoi Traditional Medicine Association), the egg fruit is also known as mật sâm (honey ginseng). Ancient texts describe the egg fruit as a small woody plant, growing about 7-12 meters tall, with branches layered and slightly drooping. It has serrated leaves, 2.5-15 cm long and 1-6.5 cm wide. The small white flowers produce fruit that ripens to a light red color, with a diameter of about 1-1.5 cm. The edible fruit is sweet and juicy, containing numerous small yellow seeds resembling fish roe.
If you or your child enjoys this fruit, rest assured and rejoice because it offers numerous health benefits:
1. Egg fruit helps the body fight bacteria
Our body has mechanisms to combat bacteria and external intruders. However, at times, it requires assistance from other sources, including the food we consume. Egg fruit is one of the fruits you should eat for its antibacterial properties. The antibacterial content in this fruit is comparable to a small amount of standard antibiotics.
2. Supports cognitive function and brain development
Egg fruit contains flavanones. According to research, foods rich in flavanones can enhance cognitive processes and support brain development. Regularly consuming egg fruit, along with other flavanone-rich foods, is extremely beneficial for cognitive function, especially in older adults with mild memory impairment or those with neurodegenerative conditions.
3. Anti-inflammatory properties
Egg fruit also possesses anti-inflammatory properties, effectively reducing swelling. Many anti-inflammatory medications exist, but most fruit-bearing plants with anti-inflammatory characteristics act similarly.
4. Cancer prevention
The leaves, branches, and egg fruit all have properties against cancer.
The egg fruit contains several flavonoids (a type of bioactive pigment) that inhibit disease-causing microorganisms, making it effective in fighting certain types of cancer. Besides eating the fruit, you can also use the leaves and branches to prevent the development of particular cancers.
5. Pain relief for gout sufferers
Gout is a painful form of arthritis caused by the accumulation of uric acid in the blood, often stemming from excessive consumption of protein-rich foods and insufficient water intake. While egg fruit cannot cure gout, consuming 9-12 fruits three times a day can effectively alleviate the pain…
6. Lowers blood sugar levels
Egg fruit helps lower blood sugar levels, making it an excellent food for those with diabetes.
7. Antioxidant properties
Egg fruit and its leaves are rich in antioxidants, containing over 24 flavonoid and phenolic compounds, along with saponins similar to those found in green tea.
8. Nutrient-rich
Egg fruit is packed with essential nutrients for the body, including fiber, carbohydrates, proteins, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and B vitamins. Ancient people recognized the benefits of egg fruit and its leaves, drying and grinding them to make tea.
Egg fruit is packed with essential nutrients for the body.
9. Lowers blood pressure
High blood pressure is often caused by various unhealthy habits in modern society, such as smoking, high salt intake, a fatty diet, and genetics. Egg fruit contains a significant amount of nitric oxide, a natural chemical that relaxes blood vessels, improving circulation and lowering blood pressure.
10. Good for cardiovascular health
Egg fruit leaves used to make tea protect the heart from pain due to their antioxidant properties, which prevent arterial inflammation leading to heart attacks.
11. Improves digestion
You can make light beverages from egg fruit flowers. It is used to soothe stomach pain, gas cramps, and indigestion.
12. A source of vitamin C
100 grams of egg fruit equate to 150 mg of vitamin C, which helps prevent flu and colds and possesses strong antioxidant properties that may improve certain cardiovascular diseases.
13. Reduces stress
Severe headaches are often caused by blood vessel spasms. Egg fruit helps relax blood vessels, allowing normal blood circulation.
Precautions When Using Egg Fruit for Healing
Although egg fruit offers significant health benefits, consuming any fruit in excess can lead to negative health effects.
- Ripe egg fruits have a very fragrant smell and a sweet taste but can often be infested with maggots, especially during the rainy season. Therefore, when harvesting, choose just ripe fruits and inspect them carefully before eating.
- Overconsumption of egg fruit can cause internal heat, leading to skin rashes. Additionally, children with a cough should avoid eating it.
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