The name ‘sapota’ might not be familiar to most of us. Sapota is another name for the fruit better known as ‘chikoo’ or ‘chiku’ in Hindi, ‘sapota’ in Telugu, ‘chikku‘ in Marathi, ‘cappotta‘ in Tamil and ‘sapeta’ in Bengali.
Sapota is a delicious calorie-rich fruit belonging to the category of fruits like mango, banana and jack fruit. Its other names are nose berry, sapodilla plum, chickoo sapote etc.
The sapota fruit has its origin in the rain forests of Central America, particularly in Mexico and Belize but it is easily available in India.
Benefits of Chikoo/Sapodilla:
Below are the possible health benefits of the chikoo fruit.
Improves Eye Vision in Old Age
- Chikoo fruit is very beneficial to your eyes as it is the good source of Vitamin A which naturally aids in improving your eye vision even in the old ages.
Energizes the Body
- It revitalizes the body through its high energy content like fructose and sucrose which supply instant energy.
Provides Relief from Inflammation
- Chikoo fruit is very effective anti inflammatory agent because of its high tannins content.
Improves Digestive Tract Health
- It helps in improving the health of digestive tract by preventing variety of inflammations like esophagitis, irritable bowel syndrome, enteritis and gastritis.
Prevents from Cancer
- Sapodilla is very good source of antioxidants, dietary fibers and nutrients (Vitamins A and B) which helps in preventing certain types of cancers (lung cancer, oral cavity cancer and etc) in the body by binding the carcinogens. Its vitamins contents maintain the health of mucus linings in the body and so the skin texture.
Strengthens Bone
- Chikoo makes your bones healthy and powerful as it contains minerals like calcium, phosphorus, iron and etc required to maintain the bone endurance.
Provides Relief from Constipation
- Chikoo fruit is dietary fibers (works as laxative) rich fruit thus aids in relieving constipation. It nourishes the colon’s membrane by making it resistant to the infections.
Stops Blood Loss from Piles
- Chikoo fruit has haemostatic property means assists in stopping blood loss during piles or other injuries.
Provides Relief from Insect Bite
- The paste of its seeds can be applied on the areas of insect bites to get instant relief.
Prevents from Bacterial Infection
- It also has the anti-parasitic, anti viral and anti bacterial property as it has the polyphenolic antioxidants which prevent the bacteria to grow or enter into the human body.
Destroys Free Radicals and Boosts Immune System
- Chikoo is rich in Vitamin C which rejuvenates the body by destroying free radicals and boosting the immunity.
Regularize Functioning of Digestive System
- The other content like potassium, folate, iron, niacin and pantothenic acid assist in appropriate working of digestive system.
Effective in Diarrhoea
- Chikoo fruit works as a great anti diarrheal home remedy because of its purgative property. It also provides relief from the piles and dysentery.
Improves Mental Health and Keeps Stress Free
- Chikoo plays a great role in improving the mental health because of being an effective sedative. It calms down the nerves and ease stress. It is proved as the most beneficial fruit for the person suffering from the depression, insomnia or anxiety.
Provides Relief from Respiratory Tract Disorders
- Eating chikoo helps to get relief from the severe cold and chronic cough by eliminating the phlegm and mucus from nasal and respiratory tract.
Removes Bladder and Kidney Stones
- The seeds of the chikoo fruit work as a diuretic and helps in removing the bladder and kidney stones. It provides protection against other kidney diseases as well.
Promotes Weight Loss
- Eating chikoo regularly controls the gastric enzymes secretions and metabolism process and thus assists in weight loss and prevents obesity.
Removes Toxin from Body
- It works as a good detoxifying agent and diuretic which helps in eliminating the body waste materials through frequent urination.
Prevents Water Retention in Body
- It maintains the body water concentration thus prevents the occurrence of edemas (water retention) in the body.
Cures Tooth Cavities
- Sapodilla helps in curing the tooth cavities as its high latex content is used to fill the tooth cavities.
Regulates Blood Pressure
- The magnesium content of the chikoo makes the blood vessels healthy and potassium content helps in regulating the blood pressure and blood circulation.
Prevents from Anemia
- The folate and iron contents of it prevent the occurrence of anemia.
Prevents from Pulmonary Problems
- A paste prepared by mixing the chikoo flowers and chikoo fruits provides relief as well as prevents the pulmonary problems.
Relieves Muscle Spasm
- Chikoo fruit also works as an antispasmodic as it provides relief from pains and muscle spasms.
Benefits of Chikoo during Pregnancy:
Energizes the Body
- It is considered as the high energetic fruit for the pregnant and lactating mother because of its high carbohydrates and nutrients contents.
Relieves from Pregnancy Symptoms
- It reduces the weakness in pregnant women by offering instant energy and provides relief from the pregnancy symptoms like nausea and dizziness.
Benefits of Chikoo for Hair:
Keeps Hair Healthy
- Eating chikoo regularly provide all the essential nutrients required to maintain the healthy hair.
Nourishes the Hair Scalp
- The oil extracts from the chikoo seeds moisturizes and softens the hair by nourishing the scalp and relieving the skin irritation.
Treats Seborrheic Dermatitis
- It is also effective in treating the seborrheic dermatitis.
Removes Dandruff
- The paste of chikoo seeds and castor oil is applied on the scalp to get rid of the dandruff.
Benefits of Chikoo for Skin:
Makes Skin Healthy
- Because of the high contents of minerals, vitamins and antioxidants of chikoo, it makes the skin healthy and glowing by maintaining the natural texture and complexion of the skin.
Moisturizes the Skin
- Its Vitamin E content moisturizes the skin and thus makes beautiful.
Fights with Early Ageing
- The antioxidants property of chikoo works against the early ageing by fighting with the wrinkles and free radicals (which enhances the ageing process).
Makes Skin Smooth
- The seed kernel oil of chikoo works as the best skin ointment.
Removes Skin Warts
- The milky juice of chikoo plant is very effective in removing the skin warts and fungal growth.
