Postby TriP » September 10th, 2016, 3:21 pm
Local Peewah ~ Health Benefits
Peewah is considered so valuable because it provides a storehouse of energy, which can replace common culinary staples that provide carbohydrates, like potatoes.
In fact, the consistency and texture of cooked Peewah is similar to a sweet potato.
Peewah is usually not eaten raw, as it has a rather strong, acidic taste, but when cooked, it can be dried into meal or flour to be used at a later time.
The raw fruit does not stay ripe for very long, and should be eaten or cooked soon after being picked.
Economically, it is important both as an export crop, but also because it can replace some of the other overexploited species of exotic fruits that have received global attention in recent years, such as acai.
The rich combination of nutrients in Peewah makes it very beneficial for our health in a variety of ways.
Besides being a delicious addition to a fruit basket, Peewah are also packed with vitamins, minerals, and organic compounds that make it an ideal component of a healthy diet. Peewah contain significant levels of fiber, carbohydrates, vitamin C, E, A, B, and K, as well as potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, and zinc.
Health Benefits of Peewah
Energy Booster:
Peewah is perhaps best known for acting as an energy reserve. This energy-boosting fruit packs a whopping 37 grams of carbohydrates in every 100 grams. Carbohydrates are the building blocks of our energy supply, and by breaking down these carbohydrates, our body is able to refuel itself very quickly. For this very reason, Peewah is often turned to as a quick energy booster in South American countries, and this very effective carb-loading tool is becoming more popular in other countries as well.
Digestive Health:
As with most fruits and vegetables, Peewah is a very good source of dietary fiber, which impacts our body in a number of ways. When it comes to digestion, fiber facilitates the smooth digestion of food and eliminates constipation. It can reduce excess gas and bloating as well, while also helping to prevent more serious gastrointestinal conditions, like gastric ulcers and colon cancer.
Heart Health and Diabetes:
Fiber continues to serve the body in terms of diabetes, as it can help to regulate the insulin and glucose production activities by affecting those levels in the bloodstream. By slowing down the release of glucose into the bloodstream and optimizing the functions of the pancreas, peewah fiber can help to reduce the effects of diabetes, or prevent it from developing in the first place. When it comes to heart health, fiber clears out excess cholesterol from the blood vessels and arteries, thereby lowering the chances of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.
Vision Health:
One of the most important vitamins found in Peewah is vitamin A, as well as other carotenoids that help protect the body. Carotenes are essential for vision health, as they act as antioxidants to reduce or eliminate cataracts, while also preventing macular degeneration in the ocular cells.
Skin Protection:
When it comes to keeping our body’s largest organ protected, vitamin C, vitamin A, and a healthy fluid balance in the body can be very effective. Peewah possesses both of those antioxidant vitamins that can stimulate the regrowth of new skin cells and protect the ones that are there, while the potassium levels in Peewah ensure a proper water balance in the body and facilitate the exchange of fluid to cells to keep them functioning at an optimal level.
Growth and Development:
Peewah is especially recommended for children, as it is ideal for spurring proper growth and development. Aside from its balanced composition of vitamins and minerals, Peewah also has proteins and other organic compounds that are essential for growth. Furthermore, for pregnant mothers, the folic acid levels in peach palm make it great for protecting against neural tube defects.
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