Cherimoya (Annona cherimola) is a green, cone-shaped fruit with leathery skin and creamy, sweet flesh.
Thought to have originated in the Andes mountains of South America, it’s grown in tropical areas with high altitudes.
Due to its creamy texture, cherimoya is also known as custard apple. It’s often eaten with a spoon and served chilled like custard. Cherimoya has a sweet taste similar to other tropical fruits, such as banana and pineapple.
Here are 8 surprising benefits of cherimoya.
Cherimoya is loaded with antioxidants, which fight free radicals in your body.
Certain compounds in cherimoya — including kaurenoic acid, flavonoids, carotenoids, and vitamin C — have powerful
However, note that you should not eat the peel of cherimoya due to health concerns. This is explained in more detail below.
Cherimoya’s carotenoid antioxidants, such as lutein, may be particularly powerful. Research suggests that foods rich in carotenoids may boost eye health and reduce your risk for heart disease and certain cancers.
Cherimoya is rich in the carotenoid antioxidant lutein, one of the main antioxidants in your eyes that maintains healthy vision by fighting free radicals.
Research associates high lutein intake with good eye health and a lower risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition marked by eye damage and vision loss.
Lutein may also protect against other eye issues — including cataracts, which is a clouding of the eye that causes poor eyesight and vision loss.
Therefore, consuming lutein-rich foods — such as cherimoya — may support eye health.
Cherimoya is high in nutrients that help regulate blood pressure, such as potassium and magnesium.
Notably, 1 cup (160 grams) of the fruit boasts 10% of the RDI for potassium and over
Both potassium and magnesium promote the dilation of blood vessels, which in turn
A 2017 review found an inverse relationship between magnesium intake and risk of high blood pressure, when comparing people with the highest magnesium intake to those with the lowest intake. Each additional 100 mg per day intake of magnesium was associated with a 5% lower risk of high blood pressure.
One cup (160 grams) of cherimoya offers almost 5 grams of dietary fiber, which is between
Because fiber cannot be digested or absorbed, it adds bulk to stool and helps move it through your intestines.
By supporting healthy bowel movements and nourishing gut bacteria, cherimoya and other fiber-rich foods can promote optimal digestive health.
Some of the compounds in cherimoya may help prevent cancer.
Cherimoya contains flavonoids including catechin, epicatechin, and epigallocatechin, which have been shown to stop the growth of cancer cells in test-tube studies.
What’s more, population studies
However, more human studies are needed to fully understand how the compound found in cherimoya and other fruits affects cancer.
Chronic inflammation is linked to increased risk of many illnesses, including heart disease and cancer.
Notably, cherimoya provides several anti-inflammatory compounds, including kaurenoic acid.
This acid has strong anti-inflammatory effects and has been shown to decrease certain inflammatory proteins.
In addition, cherimoya boasts catechin and epicatechin, flavonoid antioxidants found to have powerful anti-inflammatory effects in test-tube and animal studies.
High levels of CRP are associated with atherosclerosis, a hardening and narrowing of the arteries that significantly increases your risk for heart disease.
Like other tropical fruits, cherimoya is loaded with vitamin C, a nutrient that supports immunity by fighting infections and disease.
Vitamin C deficiency is linked to impaired immunity and an increased risk of infections.
Consuming cherimoya and other foods rich in this vitamin is an easy way to ensure adequate immune health.
Even though cherimoya offers impressive health benefits, it contains small amounts of toxic compounds.
To enjoy cherimoya and limit your exposure to annonacin, remove and discard the seeds and skin before eating.
Cherimoya can be found at many grocery and health food stores but may be unavailable depending on your location.
It should be stored at room temperature until soft, then kept in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To prepare cherimoya, remove and discard the skin and seeds, then slice using a paring knife and cut the fruit into pieces.
Cherimoya tastes delicious in fruit salad, mixed into yogurt or oatmeal, or blended into smoothies or salad dressings. You can also eat chilled cherimoya like a custard by slicing the fruit in half, then scooping out the flesh with a spoon.
Recipes you can try:
Cherimoya — also known as custard apple — is a sweet, tropical fruit with a creamy texture.
It’s loaded with beneficial nutrients that may support your mood, immunity, and digestion.
However, cherimoya contains small amounts of toxic compounds, especially in the skin and seeds. To consume cherimoya safely, first peel off the skin and remove the seeds.
This unique fruit can be a great addition to a nutrient-dense, balanced diet.
