Huaya: characteristics and benefits of this fruit

In recent years, images in which some kind of exotic fruit appear, accompanied by messages in which they affirm that this fruit is 10,000 times more powerful than radiotherapy or that they have some property miraculous.

One of the main fruits of this type of images has been the huaya, a fleshy bittersweet fruit typical of Central and South America.

Both anti-infective and anti-cancer properties have been attributed to it, occupying the space of more than one communication medium.

To what extent is this true? Does this fruit really have healing properties? Here, in this article, we are going to explain what huaya is, what its properties are and what relationship it may have with oncological diseases

• Related article: "18 natural remedies to calm anxiety"

What is the huaya?

Huaya is a well-known fruit in several countries. Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, El Salvador... are just a few names of the many places where this fruit can be found as a regular product in greengrocers. There are several names with which this delicacy has been baptized: guaya, mamoncillo, quenepa, chupalotes, güevillos and many others that refer to what they look like.

The word "huaya" probably comes from the Nahuatl word "hueyona", composed of "hue-i", "grande" and "yona-catl", "pulp".

This fruit grows in the highest of the tree with the same name (Melicoccus bijugatus), in bouquets that can measure about 10 centimeters. The tree can reach heights of up to 30 meters. The fruit consists of a drupe covered with a green shell, the interior of which houses the fleshy bittersweet part and the seeds, which occupy most of the edible part. In itself, the huaya looks like a kind of peach about 2 to 4 cm in diameter.

Benefits of this fruit

Since pre-Columbian times, the fruit of the huaya has been attributed immunological properties, and it is believed that it combats problems associated with the entry of bacteria and viruses into the body. In addition, the acids in the fruit have been related to benefits for pregnant women, contributing to the production of proteins and increasing the defenses for the fetus.

Helps protect epithelia against damaging factors, as are the consumption of tobacco (although it does not reverse the damage caused by smoking). In addition, it has been linked to avoiding kidney discomfort.

The fruit is an important source of nutrients, such as iron, phosphorus, vitamin B1, B3, B6, B12 and C, which could have a beneficial role in combating urinary and bronchial conditions, such as fever and colds. Its frequent consumption can be an important source of vitamins, as well as minerals, essential amino acids and unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic and linoleic.

• You may be interested: "Melissa: what is it, benefits and uses of this medicinal plant"

Uses and consumption

The huaya it is used both as a food and as a natural remedy, in addition to being able to use the wood of the tree as a material to make furniture.

In the field of food, the huaya It can be found in cans of preserves, juices, consumed fresh or also fermented to make drinks like huaya beer or brandy made from this fruit. Huaya bone can also be eaten if it is roasted.

The leaves of this plant are attributed antiparasitic properties, in addition to acting as a natural insecticide and as a repellent for bats.

As for natural remedies, the huaya leaf is credited with the ability to calm the nerves and improve fever symptoms. Its infusion is used to fight throat infections if used as a rinse, and the syrup of the fruit is used to combat diarrhea.

Risks

No side effects have been found associated with huaya nor that it can become toxic, however, it does It may involve certain risks both its collection and consumption of the fruit.

Because this fruit fills the top of 30-meter trees, there are not a few people who, without having the due professional climbing knowledge or the appropriate equipment, they have tried to climb to the top of the tree. This poses the risk of falling and breaking a bone or, in the worst case, dying.

The main risk of consuming the fruit is that, by having a seed of considerable size inside, it can be drained while it is is ingesting the fruit and obstructing the larynx causing suffocation, especially in children little ones.

Relationship with cancer

In recent years, the image of this fruit has been widely shared on social networks with the claim that it cures cancer or that it is 10,000 times more powerful than chemotherapy. These statements, in addition to being a terrible lack of respect towards people suffering from cancer diseases and the professionals who treat them, are false, there is currently no study that confirms this.

This does not mean that the fruit itself does not have beneficial health properties. In 2012, Cornell University, New York, conducted a study in which they found some gastrointestinal benefits caused by huaya. However, consuming huaya itself could prevent cancer in an indirect way, since it is argued that diets rich in fruits and vegetables have been shown to be a protective factor against cancer diseases.

What should be clear is that the huaya, although it may have some kind of effect on the development of cancer, it is not a substitute for the treatments used to fight this type of disease.

The possible preventive effects against cancer may be due to the fact that this fruit activates the immune system, preventing infections from occurring in the body. In addition, it has been related to a better health of the epithelia against unhealthy habits such as smoking, which could also be beneficial in the face of the appearance of carcinogens.

It has also been hypothesized that it has certain nutrients that are capable of inhibiting the proliferation and growth of cancer cells, however, this is neither insured nor confirmed.

It should be said that it is not the first time that a fruit or another type of plant, for the simple fact of being a vegetable must be inherently good for any type of disease and, especially, cancer, without having the proper tests that it demonstrate. To give a few examples: broccoli, coffee, pomegranates, plums, peaches, oregano ...

Returning to the same point as before, that no clear evidence has been found that all these vegetables and fruits are potent anticancer does not mean that they do not influence the prevention of the disease, only that they are not miracle treatments nor do they seem to become it.

Bibliographic references:

• Bystrom, L. M. (2012) The potential health effects of Melicoccus bijugatus Jacq. fruits: Phytochemical, chemotaxonomic and ethnobotanical investigations. 83(2). 266-271.