30 Amazing Benefits of Quenepas Fruit
Quenepas ( Melicoccus bijugatus) is a delicious fruit of the quenepas tree, and belongs to the soapberry tree “Sapinadaceae”. They are native to Northern South America and were later introduced to South and Central America, and some parts of the Caribbean. This delicious fruit is known by various other names such as Spanish lime, genip, guinp, genipe, guenepa, gunepe, mamon, and kinnip, etc. Quenepas provides many health and beauty benefits due to the abundance of healthy compounds like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and dietary fibers, etc.
Health Benefits of Quenepas
Some major health benefits of quenepas are as follows.
(1) Good For Eyes
Quenepas helps in maintaining our ocular health as they contain antioxidants like Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and other antioxidant compounds.
These antioxidants protect our eyes from free radical damage and reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and glaucoma, etc.
Vitamin A is an essential nutrient that improves vision, prevents eye dryness, and minimizes the risk of night blindness
(2) Strengthen Bones And Teeth
Quenepas make our bones and teeth stronger as they contain bone-strengthening minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium, etc.
Calcium promotes the growth and development of the bones and reduces the risk of bone disorders like osteoporosis.
Potassium neutralizes acid load, reduces loss of calcium from the bones, and improves bone density.
Magnesium contributes to bone health by improving bone density.
Vitamin C, an anti-inflammatory compound in quenepas reduces pain and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis, a condition in which protective tissues at the ends of bones wear down.
Other nutrients like zinc, phosphorus, and folate, etc also improve bone health.
By No machine-readable author provided. Hans B.~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons(3) Aids In Preventing Anemia
Quenepas reduces the risk of iron-induced anemia.
Iron-induced anemia is a blood disorder that causes fatigue, weakness, pale skin, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, and cold hands or feet, etc.
It is mainly caused by a deficiency of iron in the body.
Quenepas is a good source of iron that encourages the production of red blood cells.
Red blood cells carry oxygenated blood to cells and tissues and nourish them.
This minimizes the risk of anemia.
Vitamin C in quenepas increase iron absorption and benefit against anemia.
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(4) Promotes Weight Loss
Quenepas promotes weight loss as it has a low calorific value of 16 calories per 100 grams.
Dietary fibers in quenepas provide stomach satiety and control overeating, a major cause of obesity.
Quenepas have an abundance of water ( around 88 percent) that helps with weight management as it improves food digestion, reduces craving, and controls overeating.
(5) Helps In Enjoying A Better Sleep
Sleep plays an important role in maintaining our physical, mental, and emotional health.
Not getting enough sleep or getting poor quality of sleep may damage our health, and leads to poor concentration, high blood pressure, weak immunity, weight gain, risk of diabetes, low sex drive, and risk of cardiovascular problems, etc.
Tryptophan present in the quenepas is an amino acid that relaxes our body, calms our nervous system, and allows us to enjoy quality sleep.
Magnesium in quenepas calms our nerves and reduces stress ( a major cause of insomnia).
Other nutrients like B vitamins and magnesium etc in pumpkin also play a significant role in improving our sleeping habits.
(6) Helps In Managing Diabetes
Because of their low glycemic index, quenepas release sugar into the bloodstream at a slow pace and prevent a sudden spike in blood glucose level.
This helps in managing diabetes.
Dietary fibers in quenepas slow down blood sugar absorption, and keep blood sugar under control.
Fructose present in the quenepas is almost exclusively broken down by the liver and stimulates only modest insulin secretion.
This helps in managing diabetes.
Enjoy quenepas in moderation or, otherwise, they may drop blood sugar below the healthy range and cause shakiness, dizziness, excessive sweating, excessive hunger, fast heartbeat, confusion, irritability, or moodiness.
Eating quenepas while being on diabetic medication should be done only after consulting with your doctor to ensure there is no risk of food-drug interference.
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(7) Regulates Blood Pressure
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a common health problem that affects millions around the world and is a leading cause of cardiovascular and other health problems.
Quenepas contain potassium, a natural vasodilator that relaxes blood vessels improve blood circulation, and relieve hypertension.
Eat quenepas in moderation as otherwise too much potassium may drop blood pressure below the healthy level, and cause fainting, nausea, dizziness, poor concentration, dehydration, blurred vision, and pale skin, etc.
If you take blood pressure medication, eat quenepas only after consulting with your doctor to ensure there is no food-drug interference.
(8) Improves Digestive Health
Queneaps improves our digestive health and are good for the stomach.
Vitamin C, vitamin A and other antioxidant compounds like flavonoids, etc in quenepas protect our digestive system from free radical damage and reduces colon cancer, abdominal cancer, pancreatic cancer, intestinal cancer, and stomach cancer, etc.
The laxative properties of dietary fibers in quenepas improve bowel movement, relieve constipation and other gastrointestinal problems like abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, gas, bloating and flatulence, etc.
Other nutrients like zinc, iron, magnesium, and folate, etc also improves our digestive health.
(9) Prevents Chronic Fatigue
Quenepas contain iron, a vital mineral that enhances the production of red blood cells.
Red blood cells carry oxygenated blood to cells and tissues and provide nourishment to them.
It keeps us energetic and helps fight chronic fatigue.
Vitamin C, vitamin A, and other relevant compounds in quenepas protect the cells from free radical damage.
Other nutrients like zinc, potassium, magnesium and B vitamins in quenepas also helps in maintaining our energy levels.
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(10) Maintains Healthy Metabolism
Vitamins, minerals, and other essential compounds present in the quenepas provide nourishment to our cells and improve metabolism.
Our metabolism determines the rate at which our body burns calories at different stages ( like resting, working, and so on).
An overactive metabolism may cause our body to burn more calories, and be underweight.
And, if metabolism is slower, our body burns calories at a slower pace and increases the risk of being overweight.
A healthy metabolism helps with proper weight management and improves overall health.
(11) Improves Muscle Health
Iron, a vital mineral present in the quenepas stimulates the release of myoglobin.
Myoglobin is an iron and oxygen-binding protein that improves muscle health by facilitating oxygen diffusion in muscle cells.
Vitamin C and other antioxidants in quenepas improve muscle health by protecting our muscle cells and tissues from free radical damage.
Other nutrients like calcium, zinc, and B vitamins, etc in quenepas also play an important role in keeping our muscles healthy.
(12) Is Anti-Inflammatory
Vitamin C, dietary fibers, and other anti-inflammatory compounds in the quenepas relieve pain and inflammation of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism, rheumatoid, gouts, asthma and bronchial asthma, etc.
(13) Make Immune System Stronger
Regular and moderate intake of quenepas strengthens our immune system, the defense mechanism of the body that aids in the prevention and treatment of infections, injuries, diseases, and wounds.
Vitamin C, vitamin A, other antioxidant compounds like flavonoids, etc in quenepas protect our immune cells or white blood cells from free radical damage.
This strengthens our immunity and reduces the risk of getting a cough, cold, fever, and flu, etc.
Vitamin C further boosts our immunity by increasing the production of white blood cells.
Quenepas reduces the risk of various bacterial, viral, and fungal infections because of its antimicrobial properties.
(14) Good For Brain
Vitamin C, vitamin A, other antioxidant compounds like flavonoids, etc in quenepas protect our neurons or brain cells from free radical damage.
It reduces the risk of various neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and amnesia, etc.
Zinc present in quenepas helps with nucleic acid metabolism.
Other nutrients like iron, potassium, magnesium, and B vitamins in quenepas contribute to neurological health by improving cognitive functions such as better concentration, reduced confusion, and sharper memory, etc.
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(15) Promotes Detoxification
Accumulation of too many toxins may cause fatigue, chronic digestive problems, anxiety and depression, skin problems like acne, muscle pain, blood sugar imbalance, insomnia, bad breath, body odor or foul-smelling stool, and weight gain, etc.
Detoxification is the process of removal of toxins, pollutants, and other unwanted substances from our bodies.
Detoxifying properties of vitamin C and dietary fibers in quenepas remove toxins, pollutants, and other unwanted substances from our bodies.
By helping with detoxification, it reduces the detoxification burden from our vital organs like the liver and kidneys and keeps them at optimal health.
(16) Manages cholesterol Level
Quenepas helps in managing cholesterol levels as they contain dietary fibers that reduce LDL cholesterol.
This reduces the risk of atherosclerosis, a condition that causes hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of plaque and fat deposits in arterial walls.
Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of cardiovascular problems like heart attack, heart stroke, and coronary artery disease.
(17) Improves Cardiovascular Health
Quenepas are good for our heart and improves our cardiovascular health.
Vitamin C, vitamin A, and other antioxidants in quenepas protect our cardiovascular system from free radical damage.
Dietary fibers in quenepas reduce LDL cholesterol and improve cardiovascular health.
Qunepas contain potassium that regulates high blood pressure and reduces the risk of cardiovascular problems.
Other nutrients like zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, and B vitamins in quenepas also contributes to cardiovascular benefit.
(18) Protection Against Cancer(s)
Quenepas reduces the risk of several cancers due to the abundance of antioxidants in them.
Vitamin C, vitamin A, other antioxidant compounds like flavonoids, etc in quenepas protect our cells and tissues from free radical damage.
This reduces the risk of several cancers such as colon cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, intestinal cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer, etc.
Free radicals are the unstabilized ions that stabilize by stealing electrons from neighboring molecules and doing so cause oxidative damage to them.
Beauty Benefits of Quenepas For Skin
Following are the major beauty benefits of quenepas for the skin.
(1) Keeps Premature Ageing At Bay
Quenepas are loaded with vitamin C, vitamin A, and other antioxidant compounds like flavonoids that maintain skin health, and keep premature aging at bay.
These antioxidants protect our skin from free radical damage and reduce fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, dark spots, skin blemishes, and other signs of premature aging.
Vitamin C in quenepas increases the production of collagen, an amino acid that maintains skin elasticity and prevents wrinkles and skin sagging.
(2) Maintains Skin Health
Quenepas helps in maintaining our skin health because of their rich nutritious profile.
Vitamins and minerals in the quenepas provide nourishment to our skin and make it soft and radiant.
Vitamin C and other antioxidants in quenepas protects our skin from free radical damage, and keep premature aging at bay.
Other essential compounds like zinc, iron, magnesium and B vitamins in quenepas also improve our skin health.
(3) UV Rays Protection
Prolonged exposure to the UV rays of the sun may harm our skin, and cause wrinkles, leathery skin, liver spots, and weak immunity.
Vitamin C, vitamin A, and other antioxidants in quenepas protect our skin from UV rays damage.
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(4) Reduces Skin Pigmentation
Quenepas improves our skin health due to the presence of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients, etc.
These nutrients nourish our skin, improves skin health, and make it soft, supple, and radiant.
Antioxidants and relevant compounds in quenepas protect our skin from free radical damage and brings out the skin’s natural glow.
It improves skin pigmentation and lightens skin tone.
(5) Aids In Skin Detoxification
Quenepas helps with skin detoxification because of the presence of detoxifying compounds like vitamin C and dietary fibers.
Vitamin C and dietary fibers remove toxins, pollutants, and other unwanted substances from our system.
This prevents our skin pores from getting clogged by accumulated toxins and improves skin health.
The topical application of quenepas detoxifies our skin and makes it soft, supple, and radiant.
(6) For Treating Acne
Quenepas is useful for the prevention and treatment of skin problems like acne and pimples.
Acne is a common skin problem mainly caused by the accumulation of toxins, pollutants, and other unwanted substances within the skin pores.
It affects millions of people around the world.
Vitamin C and dietary fibers in quenepas remove toxins, pollutants, and other unwanted substances from our system.
When there are fewer toxins, they don’t accumulate in the skin pores and reduces the risk of skin problems like acne and pimples.
Dietary fibers prevent acne from worsening by regulating the secretion of excess oil from sebaceous glands.
(7) Wonderful Skin Moisturizer
Because of its high water content (around 88 percent), quenepas is a wonderful skin moisturizer as it moisturizes our skin and prevents skin dryness.
Essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients, etc in pumpkin nourish our skin and improves skin health.
Beauty Benefits of Quenepas For Hair
Following are the major beauty benefits of quenepas for hair
(1) Promotes Hair Growth
Essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, etc in quenepas nourish our hair follicles and scalp and keep them healthy.
Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A, and other relevant compounds protect our hair follicles and scalp from free radical damage and improves scalp health.
Other nutrients like zinc, iron, folate, and potassium in quenepas improve blood circulation in the scalp, nourishes our hair follicles and scalp, and promote hair growth.
(2) Prevents Hair Loss
Quenepas contains several essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients, etc that nourish and strengthens our hair follicles.
When our hair follicles are strong, the risk of hair fall diminishes significantly.
It also contains several antioxidants and antioxidant compounds that protect our hair follicles from free radical damage.
Other nutrients like zinc, iron, potassium, B vitamins, and folate, etc also contribute to scalp health and minimizes the risk of hair fall.
(3) Helps In Treating Dandruff
Quenepas helps in treating dandruff, a common scalp problem that affects millions of people around the world and is mainly caused by poor scalp health.
Antioxidants like vitamin C and other relevant compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc in the pumpkin protect our hair follicles and scalp from free radical damage and make them healthy.
The moisturizing properties of quenepas prevent scalp dryness, and its antimicrobial properties protect the scalp from bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
This helps in the prevention and treatment of scalp problems such as dandruff.
Vitamins and minerals in the pumpkin nourish our hair follicles and scalp and minimize the risk of scalp problems like dandruff etc.
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(4) Make Our Hair Strong And Lustrous
Quenepas make our hair strong and lustrous because of their rich nutritious profile.
Vitamin C, vitamin A, and other antioxidant compounds such as flavonoids, etc in quenepas protect our hair follicles and scalp from free radical damage.
It reduces the risk of premature greying of hair, split ends, dryness of hair, etc,
Other nutrients like zinc, iron, copper, potassium, and B vitamins, etc in quenepas nourish our hair follicles and scalp and adds a natural shine to them.
They strengthen our hair and make them lustrous.
(5) Reduces The Risk of Scalp Acne
Acne is a common skin problem that affects millions worldwide and is mainly caused by the accumulation of toxins, pollutants, dirt, impurities, and other unwanted substance within the skin pores.
It can also break out on the scalp and is then known as scalp acne.
The dietary fibers in quenepas eliminate toxins, pollutants, and other impurities from our system.
When there are fewer toxins, they are less likely to accumulate in skin pores, and thus minimizes the risk of acne and scalp acne.
Dietary fibers also control the secretion of excess oil from skin glands and prevent scalp acne from worsening.
Disclaimer
The information contained in the post is for general purpose only and shouldn’t be considered as medical advice or as an alternative to medical advice. Although I’ve tried my best to keep the information contained in this post as accurate and updated as possible, I make no guarantee of the accurateness of the same.
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