25 Major Benefits of Lulo ( Naranjilla) Fruit
Lulo or naranjilla is a citrus fruit ( somewhat like a mix between rhubarb and lime) of the lulo tree and is botanically known as Solanum quitoense. It is a subtropical perennial plant from South Western America and is cultivated in regions of Ecuador, Panama, and Colombia. It provides many health and beauty benefits due to the presence of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, polyphenols, and dietary fibers, etc.
Health Benefits of Lulo ( Naranjilla) Fruit
Some major health benefits of lulo fruit are as follows.
(1) Make Our Immune System Stronger
The immune system is the defense mechanism of our body that aids in the prevention and treatment of various microbial infections, diseases, and as well as injuries, and wounds.
Lulo fruit strengthens our immune system as they contain antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc.
These antioxidants and antioxidantal compounds protect our immune cells or the white blood cells from free radical damage and thus strengthens our immune system.
Vitamin C further strengthens immunity by enhancing the production of white blood cells.
When our immunity is strong, we are at lower risk of getting a cough, cold and fever, etc.
The antimicrobial properties of lulo fruit minimize the risk of bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
Lulo also contains zinc, iron, potassium, and B vitamins that improve our immunity.
(2) Good For Digestive Health
Lulo fruit is good for our digestive system as the dietary fibers in them are natural laxatives.
They improve bowel movement, aids in stool elimination, and thus relieve constipation and other gastrointestinal issues like abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, gas, bloating and flatulence, etc.
Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A and antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc in lulo fruit protect our digestive system from free radical damage.
This minimizes the risk of colon cancer, abdominal cancer, pancreatic cancer, intestinal cancer, and stomach cancer, etc.
Other nutrients like zinc, iron, magnesium, and folate, etc also improves our digestive health.
(3) Good For Eyes
Lulo fruit improves our ocular health as it contains vitamin A, an essential nutrient for the eyes that improves vision, prevents dryness of eyes, and minimizes the risk of night blindness.
Vitamin C, vitamin A and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc in lulo fruit protects our eyes from free radical damage and thus minimizes the risk of age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and glaucoma, etc.
Potassium in lulo fruit regulates blood pressure in the blood vessels of the eyes and reduces glaucoma risk.
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(4) Strengthen Bones
Lulo fruit makes our bones stronger as they contain essential nutrients like calcium, potassium, and magnesium, etc.
Calcium plays an important role in the growth and development of the bones, and its deficiency may increase the risk of osteoporosis.
Potassium neutralizes acid load, reduces loss of calcium from the bones, and thus improves bone density.
Magnesium improves bone health by improving bone density.
Vitamin C, an anti-inflammatory compound in lulo fruit minimizes pain and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis, a condition in which protective tissues at the ends of bones wear down.
Zinc, phosphorus, vitamin K and folate, etc in lulo fruit also maintain our bone health.
(5) Aids Detoxification
The detoxifying compounds like dietary fibers and antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin A in lulo fruit eliminate toxins, pollutants, and other unwanted substances from our system.
By helping with detoxification, lulo fruit minimizes the burden of detoxification from our vital organs like the liver and kidneys and allows them to focus on other functions performed by them.
Because of its diuretic properties, lulo fruit increases the frequency and flow of urination.
This helps in reducing excess fluids, excess salts, and other impurities.
(6) Relieves Stress
Lulo fruit helps in reducing stress and anxiety because of stress-busting nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, magnesium, and B vitamins.
Vitamin C reduces stress hormones in the blood and reduced typical indicators of physical and emotional stress such as weight loss, enlargement of adrenal glands, diminution of the thymus gland, etc.
B vitamins aid in reducing stress and anxiety by enhancing feel-good hormones.
Magnesium in lulo fruit interacts with GABA, a neurotransmitter that reduces neuron activity in the brain calms our nervous system, and encourages sleep.
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(7) Reduces The Risk of Various Cancer(s)
Vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin E, and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc in lulo fruit protect our cells and tissues from free radical damage.
This minimizes the risk of several cancers like colon cancer, abdominal cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer, etc.
Free radicals are the unstabilized ions that stabilize by stealing electrons from the neighboring molecules, and doing so causes oxidative damage to them.
(8) Good For Neurological Health
Eating Lulo fruit or naranjilla improves our neurological health as the antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc in them protect our brain cells or the neurons from free radical damage.
This reduces the risk of various neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amnesia, and dementia, etc.
Free radicals are the unstabilized ions that stabilize by stealing electrons from the neighboring molecules, and doing so causes oxidative damage to them.
Other nutrients like iron, potassium, zinc, iron, and magnesium, etc in the lulo fruit also contribute to neurological health as they provide several cognitive benefits like a sharper memory, better focus, improved concentration, and reduced mental confusion, etc.
(9) Aids In Treating Anemia
lulo fruit aids in the prevention and treatment of iron-induced anemia, a blood disorder caused by the deficiency of iron in the body.
It gives rise to symptoms like fatigue, weakness, pale skin, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, and cold hands or feet, etc.
Iron, a vital mineral in the lulo fruit increases the production of red blood cells in our body.
RBC carries oxygenated blood to cells and tissues, provides nutrients to them, and minimizes the risk of anemia.
Vitamin C in the lulo fruit enhances iron absorption in the body and benefit against anemia.
(10) Regulates Blood Sugar
Eating lulo fruit moderately helps with diabetes.
Because of its low glycemic index, it releases sugar into the bloodstream at a slow pace and regulates blood sugar levels.
Dietary fibers in lulo fruit minimize the absorption of sugar by the bloodstream and help in controlling blood sugar levels.
If you are on diabetic medication, then first with your doctor before adding lulo fruit to your routine to avoid food-drug intolerance risk.
Avoid overeating lulo fruit as it may cause the blood sugar to drop abnormally giving rise to symptoms like shakiness, dizziness, excessive sweating, excessive hunger, fast heartbeat, confusion, and irritability or moodiness.
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(11) Aids In Weight Loss
Lulo fruit helps with weight loss because of its low calorific value of 25 calories per 100 grams.
Dietary fibers in this citrus fruit provide stomach satiety, controls our urge to eat again and again, and thus controls overeating which is a prime cause of obesity.
It contains about 93 percent water that helps in weight management as it minimizes calorie overload, controls overeating, improves digestion and assimilation of nutrients.
(12) Helps With Cholesterol Management
Lulo fruit contains dietary fibers and antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin A that reduce LDL cholesterol in the body and minimize the risk of atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis is caused by the accumulation of plaque and fat deposits in the arterial walls.
It hardens and narrows our arteries and is a leading cause of several cardiovascular problems like heart attack, heart stroke, and coronary artery disease.
(13) Regulates High Blood Pressure
Potassium, a natural vasodilator in lulo fruit relaxes our blood vessels, improves blood circulation, and thus provides relief from high blood pressure or hypertension.
Hypertension is a common problem that affects millions around the world.
It gives rise to various health problems like severe headaches, nose bleed, chest pain, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, difficulty in breathing, vision problems, and blood in urine, etc.
Zinc, iron, calcium, and magnesium in lulo fruit also help in regulating high blood pressure.
If you are on blood pressure medication, then add lulo to your diet after having a word with your doctor to reduce food-drug intolerance risk.
Eat lulo fruit in moderation as high potassium level may drop blood pressure to an abnormal level giving rise to symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, nausea, dehydration, lack of concentration, blurred vision, and pale skin, etc.
(14) Improves Blood Circulation
Eating lulo fruit improves blood circulation in the body as they contain several antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc protect our circulatory system from free radical damage.
Antioxidants and dietary fibers in lulo fruit reduces LDL cholesterol and prevent our arteries from getting clogged up by plaque and fat deposits, and contribute to healthy blood circulation.
Potassium in lulo fruit relaxes our blood vessels and improves blood flow.
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(15) Good For Our Cardiovascular System
Lulo fruit improves our cardiovascular health.
Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients and polyphenols, etc in lulo fruit protect our cardiovascular system from free radical damage.
Dietary fibers in lulo fruit reduce LDL cholesterol and minimize the risk of atherosclerosis, a prime cause of several cardiovascular problems.
It also contains potassium that regulates high blood pressure, a major cause of several cardiovascular and other health problems.
Other nutrients like zinc, iron, magnesium, manganese, and copper, etc in lulo fruit also contribute to our cardiovascular health.
Beauty Benefits of Lulo ( Naranjilla) Fruit For Skin
Some major beauty benefits of lulo fruit for skin are as follows.
(1) Keeps Premature Ageing At Bay
Vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc in lulo fruit protect our skin cells from free radical damage.
It minimizes various signs of premature aging like fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, dark spots, and skin blemishes, etc.
Free radicals are the unstabilized ions that stabilize by stealing electrons from the neighboring molecules, and in doing so they cause oxidative damage to them.
Vitamin C in naranjilla fruit enhances the production of collagen, an amino acid that maintains skin elasticity and prevents wrinkles and saggy skin.
(2) Protection From UV Rays
Lengthy exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays may cause skin damage giving rise to wrinkles, leathery skin, liver spots, actinic keratosis, and solar elastosis.
Vitamin C and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, flavonoids, etc in the lulo fruit protect our skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays and minimizes the risk of skin cancer.
Topical application of raw lulo fruit helps in treating skin burn and suntan etc.
(3) Lighten Skin Tone
Consuming as well as topical application of lulo fruit improve skin health as it contains essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients, etc.
These nutrients provide nourishment to the skin and make it soft, supple, and radiant.
Antioxidants and relevant compounds in lulo fruit protect our skin from free radical damage and brings out the skin’s natural glow.
It improves skin pigmentation and lightens skin tone.
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(4) Detoxifies Skin And Treats Acne & Pimples
Lulo fruit is a wonderful skin detoxifier that prevents our skin pores from getting clogged up by toxins, pollutants, impurities, and other unwanted substances, and reduces skin problems like acne and pimples.
The detoxifying compounds like antioxidants and dietary fibers in lulo fruit eliminate toxins, pollutants, impurities, and other unwanted substances from our system.
When there are fewer toxins in our system, they are less likely to accumulate in our skin pores and minimizes the risk of acne and pimples.
Dietary fibers control the secretion of excess oil and prevent the worsening of acne.
(5) Aids In Maintaining Skin Health
Lulo fruit helps in maintaining healthy skin as it contains essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, etc.
Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A, and other antioxidantal compounds protect our skin from free radical damage and provide anti-aging benefits.
Dietary fibers in them eliminate toxins, pollutants, and other impurities, and minimizes the risk of skin problems like acne and pimples.
Other nutrients like zinc, iron, potassium, vitamin B complex, etc in lulo fruit nourish our skin and make it soft, supple, and radiant.
Lulo fruit is a wonderful skin moisturizer that moisturizes and hydrates our skin due to the abundance of water ( 93%) and essential nutrients.
Beauty Benefits of Lulo( Naranjilla) For Hair
Following are the major beauty benefits of lulo fruit for hair.
(1) Promotes Hair Growth
Essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, etc in lulo fruit nourish our hair follicles and scalp and keep them healthy.
Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A and other relevant compounds like phytonutrients and polyphenols protect our hair follicles and scalp from free radical damage and improves scalp health.
Other nutrients like zinc, iron, folate, and potassium in lulo fruit improve blood circulation in the scalp, nourishes our hair follicles and scalp, and promote the growth of new hair follicles.
(2) Minimizes Hair Loss
Lulo fruit contains several essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients, etc that nourish and strengthens our hair follicles.
With stronger hair follicles, the risk of hair loss diminishes automatically.
It also contains several antioxidants and antioxidantal compounds that protect our hair follicles from free radical damage.
The antimicrobial properties of lulo protect our scalp from microbial infections and improve scalp health.
Other nutrients like zinc, iron, potassium, B vitamins, and folate, etc also contribute to scalp health and minimizes the risk of hair fall.
(3) Make Hair Strong And Lustrous
Vitamin C, vitamin E, and other antioxidantal compounds in lulo fruit protect our hair follicles and scalp from free radical damage.
Nutrients in lulo fruit nourish our hair follicles and make them strong and lustrous.
Vitamin E moisturizes our scalp and improves scalp health.
A healthy scalp is at a lower risk of developing scalp problems like dandruff and psoriasis etc.
(4) Effective Against Dandruff
Lulo fruit 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 lulo fruit protect our hair follicles and scalp from free radical damage and make them healthy.
Antimicrobial properties of lulo fruit protect the scalp from microbial infections and improve scalp health.
Vitamins and minerals in the lulo fruit nourish our hair follicles and scalp and minimize the risk of scalp problems like dandruff etc.
(5) Aids In Treating Scalp Acne
Acne is a common skin problem that affects millions of people around the world 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 naranjilla fruit 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 purposes 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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