Fruits and vegetables are truly a gift from Mother Nature, providing a treasure trove of nutrients and umpteen health incentives. Some fresh produce even possesses the incredible ability to regulate blood sugar levels effectively. Among these, the renowned Sky fruit/ Sugar badam stands out as a highly acclaimed fruit in traditional medicine, known for its exceptional capacity to control blood sugar spikes and aid in managing diabetes. In this article, we will delve into the essence of sky fruit, exploring its unique properties and the ways it can benefit individuals with this chronic condition.
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What Is Sky Fruit?
The seed of mahogany fruit is known as sky fruit. It is a tropical timber tree, and it is popularly called mahogany and famed for its high-quality wood. It is indigenous to South Asian countries and is commonly named Buah Tunjuk Langit in Malay. Sky fruit obtains its distinct name from the way it droops on a tree - sky fruit hangs upwards and its stalk points upwards to the sky. People living in South Asian countries have been using this fruit as an age-old miraculous cure to regulate blood sugar levels. Though clinical research regarding its effectiveness in humans is limited, it is still being used as a traditional remedy for controlling diabetes and several other health anomalies.
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Synonyms
Swietenia macrophylla is the scientific name of the sky fruit. It is also known as miracle fruit, king fruit, Sugar badam in English, Thenkani vidai or Thean kani in Tamil, and Kadwa badam in Hindi.
Nutritional Value
Sky fruit is credited to have potent phytonutrients that are well-known to deliver indispensable health-benefiting traits. Flavonoids, bitter alkaloids and saponin are the key elements in the sky fruit. These compounds make it powerful and the most sought fruit that optimises overall health.
Flavonoids are plant compounds that possess anti-inflammatory effects. It is known to reduce inflammation and lower the risk of heart disease and avert plaque formation in the blood vessels and mitigates the chance of stroke and heart attack.
Bitter alkaloids are chemicals that bolster the immune system and keep diseases at bay.
Saponin is the powerful component present abundantly in the sky fruit that is responsible for its anti-diabetic action. Several studies have established the blood sugar-lowering traits of saponins. Additionally, saponins are beneficial in improving blood circulation, treating asthma, and triggering immunity.
Sky fruit contains fatty acids like oleic acid and linoleic acids, which are vital for sustaining healthy skin, hair, and nails.
Sky fruit is imbued with notable amounts of vitamins B1, B2, and E, all of these vitamins contribute immensely to maintaining cellular energy, metabolism, and healthy skin.
Laden with minerals such as iron, potassium, and magnesium, sky fruit holds a key role in promoting strong teeth, gums, bones, and muscles and controlling blood pressure.
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Sky Fruit Health Benefits
- Aids in healing skin allergies
- Lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases
- Eases menstrual pain
- Gets rid of bad breath
- Regularise bowel movements and treat constipation
- Regulates Alzheimer’s disease and improves brain health
- Remedies impotency
- Strengthens the immune system
- Improve blood circulation
- Reduces the symptoms of asthma
- Enhance sleep quality and treat insomnia
- Promotes appetite
- Improves female reproductive health and treats infertility
- Treats malaria
How To Have Sky Fruit?
The fruit should be broken, and the seed should be removed. The seed is edible and can be chewed and swallowed with warm water. However, the fruit is very bitter in taste due to the presence of active plant compounds. People with blood sugar levels above 200mg /dl can have full seed and those with below range can have half the seed. The fruit is readily available in powder form or tablets in online stores.
Ways To Use Sky Fruit For Diabetes
Some studies reveal that consuming sky fruit may help diabetic patients to control blood sugar levels. Some of the uses of sky fruit in regulating diabetes include:
Have Raw Sky Fruit: Like most other nuts and seeds, sky fruit can also be relished raw as a standalone snack. Though it confers several health benefits, be cautious to take it in moderation due to its potential adverse reactions.
Brew Sky Fruit Tea: Boil a few pieces of sky fruit in water for about 10 minutes. This healthy concoction has been shown to augment overall health and control blood sugar levels.
Try Sky Fruit Supplements: Sky fruit extract is available as a supplement in capsule form and can be used as a dietary supplement. Remember it is important to seek advice from your healthcare provider before taking any supplement.
Sky Fruit Recipes: Sky fruit powder is used in several dishes like shakes, smoothies, and even baked items. It serves as a healthy addition to a diabetic’s meal plan, but it’s important to have it in moderation. Talk to your doctor to ensure that Sky fruit is safe for you.
Side Effects
Sky fruit is safe and well tolerated by most healthy adults when taken in moderation. However, it may cause allergic reactions in a few people. An allergic reaction may trigger hives, swelling, breathing issues, and itching. Then stop having the fruit right away and seek medical help if you experience any of these symptoms.
A few people have also observed digestive issues like nausea, bloating and diarrhoea. The high fibre content of the fruit may trigger digestive disorders.
Always get advice from your doctor before adding any new food to your diet regimen, if you’re already taking medications for medical conditions.