Health Benefits of Ackee fruit

Ackee is a colorful and delicious fruit. It is also known as Achee, Ackee apple or Ayee. It is a native to Cameroon, Sao Tome and Principle, Gabon, Benin, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Guinea. In unripened state the pear-shaped fruit is green in color. Gradually, it turns to yellow, orange and reddish color. The fruit has three black seeds. Spongy flesh surrounds the seeds and known as the aril. The fruit has a slightly nutty taste. This fruit has no cholesterol. It is the national fruit of Jamaica. The ackee and saltfish is a national dish of the country. In some countries, people eat the raw Ackee fruit. The dried fruit, seeds, leaves and bark are used for medicine.  

   

Ackee tree is a tropical evergreen tree. It can grow up to 40 feet. Its leaves range between 6 and 12 inches. Flowers bloom in the warm months and have 5 greenish white petals.   

Kingdom: Plantae

Order: Sapindales

Families: Sapindaceae

Genus: Blighia

Species: Blighia sapida

Nutritional value of Ackee fruit:

The important nutritional elements of Ackee fruit are Thiamine (vitamin B₁), Riboflavin (vitamin B₂), Niacin (vitamin B₃), Folacin (B₉), vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Zinc, Phosphorous, Pottasium, Sodium, stearic, linoleic, and palmitic acids.

Health Benefits of Ackee fruit:

It lowers blood pressure, aid healing and growth, boost energy levels, lower cholesterol, aid digestion, develop immune system and build strong bones.

Words of caution:

The inedible or unripened portion of the fruit consists of the toxin hypoglycin A and hypoglycin B. Seeds and arils contain hypoglycin A whereas hypogycin B is found only in the seeds. When a raw fruit is consumed it may lead to hypoglycemia or Jamaican vomiting sickness.

(Medical Disclaimer: The information’s provided in this website are envisioned exclusively for the general information for the reader. Don’t diagnose the health problems or for treatment purposes using the articles. It is not an auxiliary for medical care provided by a licensed and qualified health professional. Please consult your health care professional for any advice on medications.)