Huaya (fruit): characteristics, properties and benefits for your health
The diversity of flora and fruits is so wide that it seems we never finish knowing it. In each continent there are many typical fruits of each region, which have been expanding in the rest of the world thanks to globalization. The huaya is one of them.
Also known as maco or mamoncilloIt has a sweet to sour taste, is small and round, with a thin green skin and orange pulp. It is also a food with many health benefits.
Beneficial properties of the huaya
The pulp and its seed are consumed from the huaya. The peel is usually not suitable for ingestion, in addition to the fact that the main components are mostly concentrated in the "meat" of the huaya.
This fruit can be eaten fresh, directly from the tree. But they are also made with desserts, drinks and even used for salads. Another way to eat it is in puree or jams. Huaya is a great food that, either because of its flavor or its health benefits, you will not be able to stop consuming.
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1. Purifying action
Huaya is one of the fruits known for its purifying functions. Along with other fruits such as pineapple, huaya has been used as a tool to cleanse the body. This is because is a source of fiber with particular detoxifying properties.
It can be given to children or older adults, and is a healthy and delicious way to help the body dispose of what it does not need.
2. Strengthens the immune system
This fruit is a source of vitamin C and B that helps the immune system. For this reason, the consumption of huaya is recommended on a daily basis for those with easy access to this fruit. Thanks to the fact that it contains vitamins C and B, this fruit strengthens the body to attack infections.
What's more,vitamin C is essential to fix iron in the body and that there is no risk of anemia. Hence the part of the importance of this vitamin for good health. During the winter season, it helps fight respiratory diseases.
3. Cleans the kidneys
In the traditional medicine of the area, huaya was used to cleanse the kidneys. As already mentioned, one of the most important characteristics of the huaya is to function as a cleanser and detoxifier.
This property acts directly on the kidneys, which are the organs in charge of cleaning the body of toxins. Huaya strengthens the kidneys by cleaning them, in this way they can carry out their functions more effectively.
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4. Helps prevent cancer
One of the most surprising benefits of huaya is that it could help fight cancer. Along with broccoli, this fruit is believed to be one of the main foods that directly attack cancer cells.
Although it cannot be taken as a cure due to lack of scientific evidence, its regular consumption is recommended to prevent the appearance of cancer cells or weaken them once they appear. Although this is not scientifically endorsed, the truth is that at the very least it helps the body to strengthen itself once the cancer appears.
5. Source of vitamin B
Huaya, in addition to other nutrients, contains vitamin B. Vitamins B1, B3, B6 and B12 are found in this fruit, so it is an important source of these. This characteristic of the huaya makes it an ideal food to strengthen the body's defenses.
In addition to providing energy, consuming this fruit regularly provides the body with protection against diseases caused by viruses and bacteria. For this reason, it is recommended to eat huaya whenever possible.
6. Ideal during pregnancy
Some nutritionists and doctors recommend the intake of huaya to pregnant women. Due to the components that have already been mentioned, such as vitamin C and those of the group of B vitamins, huaya is ideal for pregnant women.
The way it helps the body is by protecting it from diseases, especially respiratory or stomach diseases. Being an effective and natural method, it is recommended that pregnant women eat it as part of their daily diet.
7. Fight infections
The huaya fights infections caused by viruses and bacteria. Both as a prevention, and when diseases have already appeared, the amounts of vitamins that this fruit contains, help to combat them.
As already mentioned, vitamins C and B have, among their many functions, the ability to strengthen the body. When infections are around, the huaya can help to prevent them from affecting us, but if we have already gotten sick, eating this fruit makes the disease disappear faster.
8. Relieves intestinal problems
The seed and the leaf of the huaya have functions related to intestinal function. On the one hand it can be used to stop diarrhea, and if it is prepared and used in another way, then it is used to relieve constipation.
To act as an antidiarrheal, the seed is roasted, pulverized and combined with honey. The leaves of the huaya tree can be prepared to work as an enema. Less fresh leaves are used for this purpose, since the newer ones work as an astringent.
9. Antioxidants
Huaya is a fruit with antioxidant characteristics. Because it is a source of vitamin C, this fruit is known to have antioxidant properties that benefit the body in many ways when consumed.
Antioxidants fight free radicals, allowing efficient cell regeneration. This has benefits for your skin and hair, which will appear elastic and shiny. It also benefits the brain that carries out its processes in a better way.
10. Colorant
The juice of the huaya pulp is deeply impregnated in the textiles. For this reason, in some regions, huaya juice is used as a natural coloring for various uses.
If it is applied on fabric, it stains easily and with washing it does not disappear so easily. But if applied to the skin or hair, it also soaks up intensively, so a very efficient use is as a dye too.
Bibliographic references
- Carr, A. C., & Maggini, S. (2017). Vitamin C and Immune Function. Nutrients, 9 (11), 1211. doi: 10.3390 / nu9111211.
- Bystrom, L.M., Lewis, B.A., Brown, D.L. et al. Plant Foods Hum Nutr (2009) 64: 160. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-009-0119-y.