Ice apples will keep you cool this summer: Why this superfood is popular in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: As the temperature is increasing at an alarming rate, residents are seeking ways to beat the heat. Along with the sweltering summer comes the sweet succulent palm fruits which have become a popular way for city inhabitants to cool their sweating bodies and parched gullets. The palm fruits, also known as ice apples or taatimunjalu by locals, have already swamped the city walkways of Hyderabad.

Ice apples are being delivered to fruit merchants from all around the state, including Nalgonda, Khammam, and Medak. “I have become a regular customer of ice apples this year because the heat is unbearable,” said a shopper at the Yapral weekly market. “It contains a good amount of minerals, potassium, and sodium, which are essential for us during the summer. Because of the great demand, traders are selling these ice apples for Rs. 80 per dozen,” he added.

“I came from Nalgonda early in the morning and almost sold half of what I brought,” said Narsaiah, a seller. According to him, ice apples are plentiful this year.

Ice apple: An ideal summer snack

Ice apple is a fruit native to southern India. It is also known as ‘nungu,’ ‘tadgola,’ and ‘munjal.’ Ice apples are the ideal summer snack due to their cooling impact on the body, but the fruit also provides additional health advantages.

This uncommon coastal fruit is sweet, tasty, meaty, and translucent and may be found in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and areas of eastern India. It is enclosed within a coconut-like fruit, which is sliced open to remove the seed. This seed is known as an ice apple because it has gorgeous clear golden flesh and a square form that resembles ice. But do you know what makes this fruit a superfood?

Ice apples are high in nutrients including carbs, phytonutrients, and calcium. In addition to fibre, protein, and vitamins C, A, E, and K, the low-calorie fruit includes minerals such as iron, potassium, zinc, and phosphorus. It’s no surprise that it’s regarded as the ideal fruit.

Here are a few reasons you need to add this fruit to your summer diet:

1. Excellent coolant that hydrates the body naturally

Summer heat may be extremely painful and induce dehydration. In such cases, ice apples have a cooling impact on the body and can naturally assist prevent dehydration.

2. Immune system booster

To be healthy and avoid infections, our bodies' immune systems require vitamins and minerals. As a result, ice apple is an excellent choice since it is high in vitamins and minerals, both of which are necessary for a healthy immune system.

3. Treats stomach illnesses and digestive issues

If you suffer from stomach disorders such as constipation, bloating, and nausea on a daily basis, you should certainly try ice apples since it is a great natural solution for such digestive difficulties.

4. Slows the aging process

Yes, ice apples can help postpone the aging process since they contain phytochemicals that have significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, assisting your body in fighting free radicals.

5. Aids in weight loss

Ice apple is a fruit that is well-known for its capacity to aid in weight control, particularly if you are attempting to reduce weight. The presence of water in the fruit aids the body in maintaining a sensation of fullness and avoiding overeating. Furthermore, it is a low-calorie fruit that supplies critical nutrients without adding calories to your diet.

6. Treats rashes

If you have skin rashes or burns, which are rather frequent in the summer, rubbing the flesh of an ice apple on the afflicted regions will decrease irritation and help calm the discomfort.

7. Beneficial to pregnant ladies

Stomach cramps and discomfort are normal throughout pregnancy. The addition of ice apple to your diet can help with minor digestive issues as well as nausea, which is typical during pregnancy. It is also incredibly nutritious and can increase the quality of breast milk in breastfeeding women.

8. Improves liver health

Ice apples are high in potassium, which may help preserve the liver. Furthermore, it aids in the removal of toxins from the body, which enhances liver function.

9. Use for diabetes

Ice apples are high in vitamins and minerals, and they may be beneficial to diabetics. Studies revealed that a steroid-like component of ice apples may have a favourable effect on blood glucose levels. Furthermore, a further study found that dried ice apple fruit pulp (pinattu) might be employed as an anti-hyperglycemic (glucose-lowering) medication. A prior clinical experiment with moderate diabetes patients revealed that consuming dry ice apples might help decrease blood glucose levels.

“Because ice apples are so delectable, anybody can overdo them, which might lead to health problems later on. Despite being a superfood, eating too many frozen apples can cause severe stomach discomfort and intestinal inflammation. As a result, it is vital to keep track of the amount consumed. It is critical for everyone to keep track of whether they are receiving adequate nutrients. Finding superfoods is one of the simplest methods to do so. As a result, several nutrients can be obtained from a single source. Palm fruit, often known as ice apple, is one such superfood. Ice apples provide several health advantages; a single serving can provide several essential elements,” said doctor Sujatha Stephen RD, chief nutritionist at Yashoda Hospitals, Malakpet.

Nutritional value of ice apple:

Ice apples are considered a hydrant due to their high water content. They are rich in vitamins such as A, B, and C and minerals such as zinc, iron, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, etc. The nutritional value of ice apple is as follows:

Properties of ice apple

Ice apples contain different phytonutrients. These might contribute to various biological properties that may benefit human health. Ice apples may have the following properties.

· Antioxidant

· Anti-inflammatory

· Antibacterial

· Wound-healing

· Sedative (might calm and induce sleep)

· Stomachic (may increase hunger)

· Laxative (may relieve constipation)

· Diuretic (may excrete water from the body)

· Anthelmintic (might act against parasitic infection)

· Immune response suppressing