Water apple, otherwise called watery rose apple or simply, rose apple, bears the scientific name Syzygium aqueum and confers astounding wellness incentives, such as ensuring a healthy pregnancy, treating muscle cramps and enhancing immune system functions.
These juicy fruits have many different local names – “Chambakka” or “Pani Seb” in Hindi, “Panneer Naval” in Tamil, “Jambakka” in Malayalam and “Gulaabijamichettu” in Telugu. The succulent water apple is quite popular for its thirst-quenching properties.
Water apple is packed with a plethora of nutrients and is renowned for its therapeutic applications in effectively remedying heart problems and liver ailments. The marvellous therapeutic potential of this juicy fruit is described in much detail, in the manuscripts of the ancient Indian systems of medicine – Ayurveda and Siddha.
Hailing from the Myrtaceae botanical family, the water apple tree reaches heights between 3 to 10 meters. This plant, that holds a tough, brown bark with long, shiny leaves, blossoms in the summer, to display green and white flowers.
The water apple fruits have pale lush colour when unripe, termed as green water apple and transform into bright red bounty upon ripening, when they are known as water apple or rose apple. Being shaped like a bell, with a pinkish outer skin and a juicy interior with grey seeds, water apples have a pleasing scent, crispy texture and appetising sweet taste. They are, hence, used to prepare juices, milkshakes, desserts, ice creams and beverages. However, the unripe green water apple tastes rather tangy and bitter, with a tart essence and is thus added to pickles, gravies and chutneys.
Water Apple Nutrition Content:
Water apple fruits are, as their name suggests, loaded with water content, ideal to hydrate the body amidst the scorching heat in summer. They also contain generous portions of vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin B1, to promote immunity, metabolism and vision.
Vital minerals including iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese are also supplied by these delicious summer fruits, for improved blood circulation, bone strength and robust muscles. Moreover, they have very fewer calories, as well as cholesterol and saturated fats, to aid in shedding extra kilos, reducing excess body fat and attaining a slim figure.
Water apples also possess vast reserves of antioxidants, to avert chronic disorders like diabetes, heart disease and improve overall well being.
Water Apple Health Benefits:
Promotes Heart Wellness
Rich in vitamin B3 or niacin, water apples assists in increasing levels of good HDL cholesterol and lowering the concentration of bad LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream. This, in turn, helps maintain optimal blood pressure in the arteries, veins and capillaries, preventing the instance of atherosclerosis and other cardiac disorders.
Accelerates Weight Loss
Water apple is a powerhouse of phytonutrients that speed up enzymatic reactions in the system, to promptly break down carbohydrates, fats, proteins in food and convert it to energy. Adding water apples to the regular diet, which have barely any calories or fats, guarantees healthy appetite, metabolism, to maintain normal body weight.
Remedies Gut Problems
The profuse amounts of dietary fibers in water apple preserves digestive health, by regulating the passage of solid matter and supplying bulk to stool. This effectively resolves instances of constipation and any abnormal bowel functions. The antioxidants in water apples further promote the functioning of stomach, pancreas, intestines, to eliminate toxins and avoid gastrointestinal infections.
Nurtures Healthy Pregnancy
Water apples have copious quantities of iron, a very crucial trace mineral for normal red blood cell synthesis. Consuming ripe water apple fruits as such, or as a juice, is highly beneficial for women during gestation, as it enhances blood circulation and transport of nutrients to the developing womb, thereby providing nourishment during the prenatal phase.
Cures Muscle Cramps
Blessed with the goodness of potassium, water apples efficiently mends extreme pain in muscles, that often occur due to sprains, wear and tear and cramps. Potassium is a key mineral in preserving conduction of impulses via muscular fibers and hence, incorporating water apple into routine diet strengthens connective tissues, relieving muscle cramps.
