11 Benefits of Rambutan

Rambutan is a delicious fruit-filled with antioxidants and other healthy compounds that provide amazing health and beauty benefits. In this article, we will cover the top 11 benefits of the rambutan.

What Is A Rambutan?

It is a tropical tree that is about the size of a small house and is in the family Sapindaceae. The scientific name for this tree is Nephelium lappaceum. The name “rambutan” also refers to the tasty fruit it makes, which we will talk about. It comes from the Malay-Indonesian area and other parts of Southeast Asia.

The fruit is related to lychee, longan, and mamoncillo. It can also be written as rambotan, ramboutan, rambustan, and ramboetan. Rambut means “hair” in the native language. This is because the fruit has a lot of hairy bits sticking out. The Vietnamese word for this fruit is “chom chom,” which means “messy hair.” This comes from the spines that cover the skin of the fruit.

How Rambutan helps us in staying healthy?

Even though the fruit is small, it has a lot of vitamin C, which boosts your immune system and gets rid of waste from your body.

Copper is another mineral found in rambutan. Copper and iron work together to improve the health of your blood vessels and blood cells (as it is also a good source of iron).

We will talk about some of the other benefits later. But before we do that, why don’t we look at the history of the rambutan?

History of Rambutan

We saw that rambutan comes from Malaysia and Indonesia. Here, there are the most different kinds of fruit. Arab traders brought rambutans to East Africa around the 14th century. And the Dutch brought this fruit to South America in the 1800s. The fruit made its way from Indonesia to the Philippines in 1912.

Now, let’s talk about the health benefits.

Health Benefits of Rambutan

About 84 calories can be found in 100 grams of rambutan. And there is only 0.1 gram of fat in a serving of the fruit. There are also 0.9 grams of protein in it. And 100 grams of this fruit has about 28 percent of the iron and 40 percent of the vitamin C you need every day.

Rambutan is full of antioxidants, which fight free radicals and keep them from making you sick. Cancer, inflammation, and even heart disease are among these. This fruit is a must-have on your plate because it is full of vitamins and tastes great.

Some other ways it can help us are as follows.

1. It can help treat diabetes

Rambutans can help treat diabetes

A Chinese study says that the peels of rambutans can help people with diabetes. When phenolic extracts of rambutan peels were given to diabetic mice, their fasting blood sugar levels went down.

2. Helps keep the heart healthy

Rambutans have a lot of fiber, which could make them less likely to cause heart disease. It also helps lower blood pressure and may lower cholesterol levels, both of which can hurt the heart if they aren’t taken care of.

3. Could help stop cancer

Rambutan is one of those fruits that has a lot of antioxidants, which is enough to say it can help prevent cancer. These antioxidants can help fight inflammation and keep the body’s cells from being hurt.

The fruit also helps in this way because it has vitamin C. It gets rid of the bad effects of free radicals and protects against different kinds of cancer.

One study found that rambutan peels can change the way cancer cells grow and can even be used to treat liver cancer. And another report says that eating five rambutans every day can cut the risk of cancer by a lot.

4. Boosts Energy

Rambutan has both carbs and protein, which can help give you more energy when you need it. This is also helped by the sugars that are already in the fruit.

5. Improve sexual health

Some sources say that the rambutan leaves can make a person more sexually attractive. The hormones that increase libido are said to be released when the leaves are boiled in water and then eaten.

People also think that rambutan can make you more fertile, but there is no research to back this up. Before you use it this way, check with your doctor.

6. Helps the skin stay healthy

People say that the seeds of the rambutan fruit make your skin look and feel better. Make a paste out of the seeds and put it on your skin to make it clearer and more even. If you use the seed paste regularly, it can make your skin softer and smoother and change the way it feels.

Also, rambutan keeps your skin moist. Manganese and vitamin C in the fruit help the body make collagen and also act as an antioxidant that fights free radicals. All of these things keep your skin healthy and young for a long time.

7. Can keep you from getting fat

No specific research shows that the rambutan, by itself, can stop people from getting fat. But studies show that fruits in general can keep you from getting fat because they have a low amount of calories per gram. Fruits also have some fiber, which can help you lose weight by making you feel full for longer.

8. Makes bones stronger

Phosphorus is an important part of rambutan. The fruit has a good amount of phosphorus, which helps build bones and keep them in good shape.

The vitamin C in rambutans is also good for your bones.

9. It kills bacteria and stops infections

Studies show that the rambutan has been used as an antibacterial agent since ancient times. Some studies also say that the fruit has antiseptic properties that protect the body from getting sick. The fruit helps wounds heal faster and keeps pus from forming.

10. Makes digestion better

The fiber in rambutan could help your digestive system work better. It can help your body break down food and keep problems like constipation from happening. And the fact that it kills bacteria might help kill parasites in the gut. So, treating diarrhea is also important.

But there isn’t as much research in this area. Please consult your doctor.

11. Good for the health of the scalp and hair

Because rambutan is antibacterial, it might help with dandruff and other scalp problems like itching. And the fruit’s vitamin C can help the hair and scalp.

Copper in rambutan stops hair from falling out. It also makes hair color stronger and stops hair from going grey too soon.

Rambutan also has protein, which can make hair roots stronger. Vitamin C can help add shine to your hair. You can just put rambutan juice on your hair and let it sit for about 15 minutes before shampooing as usual.

Since there isn’t much research on this, we suggest you talk to your doctor before you use rambutan to improve the health of your scalp or hair.

That’s pretty much all the good things about it. But a big question keeps coming up. Have you ever wondered if rambutan and lychee are the same things? Let’s find out.

Rambutan Vs. Lychee 

They differ from each other in many ways.

Rambutan

The size of rambutan is similar to that of a golf ball. It has a red shell and spikes that are yellowish-green all over. This fruit has white flesh with a big seed in the middle. It tastes sweet, rich, and creamy.

The skin is thick and hard to take off.

Lychee

The rambutan is a little bigger than the lychee. Its skin is also red, but there are no spikes on it. And it has rough skin. The inside of the fruit looks like the inside of a rambutan, but it tastes different. It’s not as creamy and delicious. It tastes fresher. This one, too, has a seed in the middle.

The skin is not as thick, so it can be peeled like a hard-boiled egg.

Uses of Rambutan

Rambutan and its parts can be used in many other ways.

1. Leaves

Rambutan leaves are juicy. They have analgesic qualities, which means they effectively relieve pain. The juice is claimed to work on your nerve centers and heal pain when you drink it.

The leaves’ juice is also beneficial to the scalp. Squeeze the juice from the leaves and apply it to your scalp and hair to get rid of frizzy hair. After an hour, give it a good rinse. 3 times a week is plenty.

2. Seeds

Although the seeds have several health benefits, we do not recommend eating them uncooked as they contain saponins ( a toxic compound).

Protein and carbohydrates are abundant in the seeds. It’s a wonderful idea to mix them into your food. They also contain anti-oxidant effects, which might help you get rid of blemishes. Simply grind the seeds into a thin paste and apply them to your skin.

Flavonoids and gallic acid, which are anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory, are found in the peel. The peels can be eaten raw after being washed. Also, don’t be alarmed by the spines; they’re only soft and delicate.

Dysentery and fever can be treated with the peel as well. Boil the peel for a few minutes before straining the liquid. This should be consumed at least twice a day.

3. Bark

The astringent qualities of the rambutan plant’s bark can be used to cure canker sores.

Facts about rambutan

Rambutan has many interesting facts associated with it, such as:

1. Rambutan trees can grow to be 66 feet tall.
2. The fruit of the rambutan is produced twice a year. And each plant/tree has the potential to yield up to 6,000 fruits in a single season.
3. Cooking can be done with the oil collected from rambutan seeds.
4. Today, rambutan comes in over 200 kinds.
5. The fruit of the rambutan is frequently left on the branches after harvesting. This prolongs the life of the fruit and makes it less susceptible to injury.

 

From where we can buy rambutan?

Rambutan is available in many offline and online stores. You can get them at Kroger, Wegmans, Independent Asian Supermarkets, Walmart, Whole Foods Market, and 99 Ranch Market, among other places. 

Storage and selection

Selection

Look for fresh rambutans that are brilliant red or yellow when purchasing them. The spines must have a strong feel to them. A bruised rambutan is an indication of damaged or overripe fruit, therefore avoid it.

Storage

It will keep for a couple of days at room temperature. The fruits can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, although the aroma may fade. Wrap them in a paper towel or a perforated plastic bag, if possible.

Side Effects of Rambutan

The fruit’s sweetness causes the majority of the adverse effects.

1. Diabetes

Yes, we mentioned rambutan’s anti-diabetic benefits. There is, however, another side to it. Rambutan contains fructose, which might increase insulin resistance and aggravate diabetes. When consumed in excess, it might induce an increase in blood sugar levels.

Note: Rambutan fiber regulates blood sugar release, making it a good choice for persons with blood sugar abnormalities (in moderation).

2. Hypertension

The sugar in the fruit might convert into alcohol if you let it ripen too long. People with high blood pressure may be harmed as a result of this.

3. Toxicity

Avoid eating seeds as they contain a toxic compound called saponins. Eating rambutan seeds can even lead to death.

 

The advantages of rambutan are numerous. It can help with weight loss and diabetes therapy, as well as heart, bone, digestive, hair, and skin health. It also has aphrodisiac properties. You can also use the leaf, seed, bark, and peel. Those with hypertension, on the other hand, may need to be cautious. It is recommended that you consume it in moderation to gain benefits. To incorporate rambutan into your diet, try any of the dishes listed above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it true that rambutan seeds are poisonous?

Yes. We don’t advocate eating them raw. Boiling or boiling them may help to lessen their toxicity (however, research is lacking in this regard).

When rambutan is grown?

The fruit is picked from July to September and December to January, with July to September being the busiest time.

What is the best way to grow rambutan?

The trees may thrive in both tropical and subtropical climates. Temperatures between 71 and 87 degrees Fahrenheit are required. They can be killed by anything under 50. As a result, they thrive in warm climates like California and Florida.

The rambutan tree prefers to be kept moist. The seed should be planted flat in a pot with drainage holes. It must be filled with organic soil and organic compost, as well as sand. Place the seed in the dirt and cover it lightly with soil. It will take anything from 10 to 21 days for the seed to germinate.

 

Disclaimer

This article provides general information about the topic and is not to be taken as medical advice or as an alternative to medical advice, treatment, and/or diagnosis. Always consult with your doctor before trying out any of the remedies/recipes suggested in the blog post.

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