Sugar apple (Atis fruit), is the Annona squamosa fruit belonging to the natives of the West Indies and to the tropical Americas like Peru, Mexico, and Central America.
The Portuguese and Spanish traders were given the credit of bringing it to Asia. It is referred to as atis in the Philippines; the Nepalese refers to it as aati, ata by the Bengals, aajaa by the Burmese, and the Indiana refer to it as the custard apple. It can also be called sweetsop.
The atis fruit is considered a creamy and juicy fruit with a white pulp. It contains up to 40 black seeds with a knobbly, grayish-green, and rough exterior.
The atis fruit is equally loaded with numerous health benefits that we would be discussing in this article.
Please read on, to know how you can benefit from the fruits if you decide to include sugar apple to your diet.
Nutritional facts of atis fruit
Atis fruit is considered a high-carb food rich in Vitamin C, calcium, and phosphorus. The sugar apple seeds contains alkaloids and neutral resin.
It’s sugar content ratio is also rated at 50% sucrose and 50% glucose.
Other micronutrients that the atis fruit has include;
- Iron
- Fiber
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B1
- Vitamin B2
- Vitamin B3
- Vitamin B6
- Macronutrients
- Magnesium
- Copper
- Carbs
- Protein
- Copper
How about we take an in-depth look at some of the nutritional facts of the atis fruit. Below is a comprehensive nutritional detail of the atis fruit that contains detailed information for 28g, or an ounce of atis fruit.
| Nutrient | Amount | Daily Value |
| Calories | 28.3g | 1.00% |
| Fiber | 0.7g | 3.00% |
| Carbohydrates | 7.1g | 2.00% |
| Calcium | 8.4mg; | 1.00% |
| Protein | 0.5g; | 1.00% |
| Iron | 0.2mg | 1.00% |
| Total Fat | 0.2g | 0.00% |
| Phosphorus | 5.9mg | 1.00% |
| Magnesium | 5.0mg | 1.00% |
| Potassium | 107mg | 3.00% |
| Vitamin C | 5.4mg | 9.00% |
| Vitamin A | 9.2U | Not available |
| Vitamin B3 | 0.1mg | 1.00% |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.1mg | 3.00% |
Health benefits of Atis Fruit
The atis fruit has plenty nutritional benefits that the body can gain from. It is rumored to be the next gigantic super-fruit, but could that be close to the truth?
Let’s evaluate 10 benefits of the atis fruit that might make you want to consider adding it to your diet.
1. May help to prevent asthma attacks
About 1 in 12 Americans suffer asthma attack. People with asthma may benefit from atis fruit due to its high vitamin C content. Vitamin C can be taken to minimize the risk of having asthma attacks by clearing the airways and keeping it open.
Bronchial inflammations can also be reduced by the presence of vitamin B6 present in the sugar apple.
2. Can help to improve the health of the heart
The health of your health is solely dependent on how healthy your diet is. Including atis fruit to your diet may be helpful in improving the health of your heart.
The presence of magnesium in the fruits helps to calm the muscles and the nervous system. Not only that, it also helps to prevent strokes and heart attacks.
Other benefits of the atis fruit is the abundance of vitamin B3 and fiber as it helps to improve high-density lipoprotein (good HDL) cholesterol and minimize low-density lipoprotein (bad LDL) cholesterol.
3. Helps to boost the immune system
Atis fruit is a rich source of antioxidant vitamin C, which contains immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. The vitamin B present in the fruit also help to minimize fatigue by flooding the body with enough energy to last the day.
4. Help to lower high blood pressure
The arterial walls get thick when the blood pressure is raised. This causes the heart to be stressed beyond normal. Atis fruit is loaded with plenty of potassium and sodium, which are great tools needed in regulating blood pressure.
5. Improves brain health
The vitamin B complex present in atis fruit can be used to control the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid present in the body. This also helps to minimize tension, irritability, depression, and stress.
6. Has anti-cancer properties
Atis fruit has been blessed with active anti-cancer properties. The custard apple has alkaloids and acetogenin that helps to reduce the risk of cancer. The bark of the fruit also contains astringent and tannins properties that can be useful in the treatment of various tumors and cancers.
7. Helps to control the level of blood sugar
Diabetes is a condition that is known to be caused by a high level of sugar present in the blood.
90 to 95% of Americans are affected by type 2 diabetes. The fiber in the custard apple helps to slow down how the body absorbs blood sugar that can equally minimize the risk of type 2 diabetes.
8. Helps pregnant women
Atis fruit is rich in folate, which is very vital for pregnant women. The essential nutrient will help develop the immune system, nervous system, and immune system of a fetus.
Regularly consuming atis fruits may be used to minimize the risk of miscarriages and reduce labor pain during childbirth.
9. Helps to reduce the risk of arthritis
Arthritis is considered a degenerative disease that affects the joints, causing pain and swelling. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common types of arthritis.
Atis fruit contains magnesium that can be used in controlling and balancing the water in the body, which works to eliminate acid from the joints. This can in turn be used to minimize symptoms associated with rheumatism and arthritis.
10. Helps to improve skin and health of hair
The vitamin C present in the custard apple can be used in the treatment of skin infections and diseases, including eczema, boil, abscesses, and psoriasis. The fruit’s antioxidants are equally great for skin rejuvenation.
The oil extracted from the fruit can be applied as hair moisturizer, and can be used in the prevention of hair loss, inflammation in the scalp, dandruff treatment, premature greying of the hair, and scaly scalp. It also helps to stimulate the follicles for the growth of hair.
Your hair can benefit from the iron, copper, and vitamin C present in the fruit.
Eating atis fruit
Atis fruit is best eaten by cutting it into two halves or by pulling it apart using your hands, then scoop out the flesh using a spoon and simply eat. Lime can also be added to improve flavor.
The atis fruit, according to people who have eaten it, tastes like custard added to pear flesh or a boiled apple. The fruit’s flesh that’s closest to the skin tastes a little bitter, so it’s best to avoid biting into it if you can’t stand the bitter taste. Once ripened, you’d have to eat it within two or three days.
You can also enjoy your atis fruit by making a purée from the fruit’s flesh. You can also add your purée to your yogurt, coconut ice cream, or your homemade baked foods.
It can also be used to make custard apple cream, custard apple sauce, and even caramel odd custard apple bruschetta. You could also try experimenting with the fruit.
Conclusion
The roots of the atis fruit should be completely avoided by pregnant women, since it is known to be strong enough to induce abortion. The folate is however beneficial to expecting mothers.
If you are trying atis fruits for the first time, ensure not go overboard with your experiment with the fruits. Eating it naturally as it is is the best bet to get the taste first, before adding it to other foods or adding other foods to it.
So what do you think? Would you like to have a bite of atis fruit? Have you had it before? If yes? How have you benefited from it? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
