Wood apple, also called Elephant Apple or Indian Bael fruit, is a tropical fruit native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. The fruit is spherical and has a tough shell with a woody texture, therefore the title. The outer shell is tough and has a greenish-yellow coloration, which turns brown because the fruit ripens. Inside the onerous shell, there’s a mushy, fragrant pulp that’s orange or yellow in coloration, enclosing quite a few seeds.
The wooden apple has a particular taste that may be described as a mix of candy, bitter, and astringent. It has a robust perfume and a barely gritty texture. The pulp of this fruit is usually consumed after deseeding, as a contemporary fruit or utilized in varied culinary preparations.
Nutritional Profile of Wood Apple
100 grams of Wood Apple/Bael Fruit incorporates:
Calories: 120 cal
Protein: 3.5 g
Carbs: 20.8 g
Fiber: 4.6 g
Calcium: 190 mg
Phosphorus: 230 mg
Iron:-1.6 mg
Sodium:-190 mg
Potassium:- 308.43
Wood apple is understood for its excessive fiber content material, making it helpful for digestive well being. The consumption of wooden apple also can assist alleviate digestive points like indigestion and bloating. It can also be wealthy in antioxidants, corresponding to vitamin C and flavonoids, which assist neutralize dangerous free radicals within the physique. The vitamin C content material in wooden apple contributes to its immune-boosting properties.
Wood apple has a low glycemic index, which implies it causes a slower and steadier rise in blood sugar ranges in comparison with high-glycemic-index meals. This makes it appropriate for people with diabetes.
7 Health Benefits of Consuming Wood Apple
Wood Apple gives quite a few well being advantages attributable to its excessive fiber content material, antioxidant properties, immune-boosting results, and potential for managing blood sugar ranges. Here are a few of them:
1. Ayurvedic Uses
For centuries, Indian conventional science or Ayurveda have used wooden apple or bael fruit attributable to its efficient medicinal properties. It will be referred to as a superfood as a result of based on varied research, completely different elements of the wooden apple tree, together with the fruit pulp, leaves, and roots, are utilized in varied treatments and natural formulations in ayurveda.
2. Improves Digestion
Wood apple is understood for its helpful results on the digestive system. It is usually used to deal with digestive issues corresponding to dysentery, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome. According to research the antispasmodic properties in fruit helps soothe the gastrointestinal tract and relieve signs of indigestion. It can also be a wonderful pure treatment for constipation.
3. Enhances Skin Health
The pulp of a wooden apple incorporates a great quantity of water, which may also help hydrate the pores and skin. Adequate hydration is important for sustaining pores and skin elasticity and stopping dryness and flakiness. It additionally possesses anti-inflammatory properties that may assist soothe and calm irritated pores and skin. It will be helpful for situations like zits, eczema, and dermatitis.
4. Manages Asthma
Wood apple is believed to have a soothing impact on the respiratory system. It could assist in enjoyable the bronchial muscle tissue and easing respiration difficulties. This can present some aid throughout bronchial asthma assaults. However, it’s vital to notice that bronchial asthma is a persistent respiratory situation that requires medical consideration and must be managed below the steering of a healthcare skilled.
5. Aids Reproductive Health
Wood apple is taken into account to have uterine stimulant properties, which can assist regulate and normalize the menstrual cycle. It is believed to assist steadiness hormones and help a wholesome menstrual circulation. It can also be identified to have hormonal balancing properties, which can assist handle hormonal imbalances that may have an effect on reproductive well being. It is believed to help the right functioning of the endocrine system and promote hormonal equilibrium.
6. Supports Immune System
Wood apple is wealthy in vitamin C. According to research this vitamin is a potent antioxidant that helps increase the immune system. It aids in combating off infections, lowering the period of diseases, and selling general well being.
7. Diabetes Management
Wood apple is taken into account to be a low glycemic index fruit. It has a glycemic index of 38, which implies it has a minimal impression on blood sugar ranges. It could assist in managing diabetes by regulating blood sugar ranges.
Summary
Wood Apple, or Bael, gives quite a few well being advantages in Ayurveda. It aids digestion, improves pores and skin well being, manages bronchial asthma signs, helps reproductive well being, boosts the immune system, and helps handle diabetes attributable to its fiber, antioxidant, and immune-boosting properties.
Recipes with Wood Apple
Wood Apple Chutney
Ingredients
- 3 Wood apples – reduce and scoop pulp out
- 100 g Jaggery
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 2 tsp water
- 1 Elaichi seed
- 2 half chilli
- 1/2 tsp contemporary ginger
- 1/2 tsp black salt
- ½ tsp dry roasted cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 50 g contemporary coriander leaves
- 1 lime squeezed
Method:-
- In a Kadai/ Wok – warmth the Jaggery, sugar and water – simply soften the combination and stir properly
- Add the seeds of the Elaichi
- Switch off the range
- Cool the combination
- Add the Wood Apple Pulp and contemporary ginger to the jaggery and sugar combination
- Next add all of the dry spice powders
- Squeeze the lime
- Add the contemporary coriander leaves
- Mix all collectively and the chutney is prepared
- For presentation, you’ll be able to serve the chutney within the shell of the wooden apple!
Wood Apple Chaat
Ingredients
- 2 Wood Apples – reduce and scoop out pulp
- 2 inexperienced chillies
- 1 bunch Coriander
- 1 Tbsp Lime juice
- 1/2 tsp Chaat masala
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp jaggery
- Salt to style
Method
- Put all elements right into a mortar pestle and pulp it,
- Serve on a plate and revel in!
Side Effects of Consuming Wood Apple
Most people can devour wooden apple with none opposed results. However, you probably have any underlying medical situations or considerations, it’s at all times advisable to seek the advice of with a healthcare skilled earlier than incorporating wooden apple into your weight loss plan to make sure its suitability for you. Here are a number of the unwanted effects that will have an effect on you upon consumption of Wood Apple:
1. Allergic Reactions
Some people could also be allergic to wooden apple. Allergic reactions can manifest as itching, hives, rashes, swelling, or issue respiration. If you expertise any of those signs after consuming wooden apple, discontinue its use and search medical consideration.
2. Gastrointestinal Discomfort
Yes, wooden apple is understood to alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort. But, reasonable consumption of this fruit is advisable. Eating extreme quantities of wooden apple can result in discomfort corresponding to bloating, gasoline, or an upset abdomen.
3. Medicinal Interaction
Wood apple could work together with sure medicines. If you take any medicines, particularly people who have an effect on blood sugar ranges, blood stress, or blood clotting, seek the advice of along with your healthcare supplier earlier than incorporating wooden apple into your weight loss plan to keep away from any potential interactions.
4. Constipation
While wooden apple is understood to assist relieve constipation attributable to its fiber content material, consuming extreme quantities or not consuming sufficient water can result in reverse results and exacerbate constipation. Ensure that you simply drink an ample quantity of water when consuming wooden apple to stop constipation.
5. Blood Sugar Control
Although wooden apple has a low glycemic index and could also be helpful for managing diabetes, it’s nonetheless vital for people with diabetes to watch their blood sugar ranges frequently when consuming wooden apple to make sure it matches into their general dietary plan.
Summary
Wood apple is usually protected for consumption, however it’s advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare skilled you probably have underlying medical situations or considerations. Possible unwanted effects embrace allergic reactions, gastrointestinal discomfort, medicinal interactions, constipation, and the necessity for blood sugar monitoring in people with diabetes. Discontinue use if any opposed reactions happen and search medical consideration. Moderate consumption and ample hydration are really helpful.
HealthifyMe Suggestion
Wood apple has a novel flavour of candy, bitter and tangy; good for these aspect accompaniments like chutneys and even our avenue type chaat – as all of us crave for these umami flavours, and fortuitously a neighborhood fruit like wooden apple has all of it. Moreover, its brimming with vitamins from fibre, protein Vit C, to loads of micro and hint components, which solely makes consuming wooden apples a sweeter deal
Since it’s a winter fruit, benefit from it when it’s in season and get that increase of nourishment your physique wants, particularly within the chilly season.
Conclusion
Wood Apple or Indian Bael is experiencing rising recognition attributable to its quite a few well being advantages and conventional use in Ayurveda. As extra folks search pure and holistic approaches to well being and well-being, wooden apple is gaining recognition for its potential therapeutic properties. Its wealthy dietary profile, digestive advantages, pores and skin well being benefits, and immune-boosting results contribute to its rising recognition.
By incorporating wooden apple into your life, you’ll be able to doubtlessly expertise the advantages related to this fruit and discover its conventional knowledge. Embracing pure treatments and holistic approaches to well being can contribute to general well-being and a deeper reference to nature’s choices.
Disclaimer: The objective of this text is simply to disperse data and lift consciousness. It doesn’t intend to switch medical recommendation from professionals. For additional info please contact our licensed nutritionists Here
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is wooden apple good for diabetes?
Wood apple will be helpful for people with diabetes attributable to its low glycemic index, which implies it has a minimal impression on blood sugar ranges. However, it’s vital to watch blood sugar ranges and seek the advice of with a healthcare skilled earlier than incorporating wooden apple into your weight loss plan to make sure it matches into your general diabetes administration plan.
2. How to know wooden apple is ripe?
A ripe wooden apple sometimes has a yellow or brownish outer pores and skin that feels barely mushy when pressed. The fruit will even emit a candy and nice aroma when it’s ripe.
3. Is it protected to drink wooden apple juice throughout being pregnant?
Wood apple juice is usually thought of protected to devour throughout being pregnant. However, it’s at all times advisable to seek the advice of with a healthcare skilled earlier than making any important modifications to your weight loss plan throughout being pregnant to make sure the protection and suitability for you and your child.
4. How to make wooden apple juice?
To make wooden apple juice, begin by breaking open the ripe wooden apple fruit and scooping out the flesh. Blend the flesh with some water in a blender or use a juicer to extract the juice. You can pressure the juice to take away any fibrous bits if desired. Optionally, you’ll be able to add some sweetener like honey or jaggery to style.
5. Can we eat wooden apple throughout a quick?
In some non secular fasts, wooden apple is allowed to be consumed. However, it’s vital to comply with the particular pointers and restrictions of the quick you’re observing. Consult with non secular or religious authorities to find out if wooden apple is permitted throughout your explicit fasting observe.
Research Sources
- The Versatile Vila (Wood Apple) with Special reference to Siddha Medicine
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275340832_The_Versatile_Vila_Wood_Apple_with_Special_reference_to_Siddha_Medicine - Role of antispasmodics within the therapy of irritable bowel syndrome
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4033443/ - Vitamin C and Immune Function
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5707683/ - Bioactive Compounds of Wood Apple (Limonia acidissima L.)
https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-030-06120-3_39-1
What are GLP-1 peptides?
They are small sequences of amino acids which are secreted from
cells within the small
gut and the mind. They work as physiological regulators of urge for food and meals
consumption – principally they transmit the message that the abdomen is full to the mind.