If you are a fruit lover and getting bored of eating the same apples and oranges every day, then here is a welcome change in the form of rambutan.
This is one fruit, which is finding its way on the list of some of the most exotic fruits available on this planet. And, of course, loaded with health gains!
One of the interesting things about rambutan benefits is its furry strawberry look. Yeah, rambutan might look intimidating at first considering its hairy exterior but that is no reason to put you off when you come to know about the multiple health benefits it offers.
Let us know about the goodness of rambutan.
What Is Rambutan?
To answer what is rambutan – it is the fruit of the Rambutan tree that belongs to the soapberry family. This tree is a native to Indonesia and Malaysia and is widely cultivated and harvested there.
The rambutan fruit is equal to the size of a golf ball (which you can surprisingly eat). This fruit comes wrapped in a shell covered with reddish-orange spikes, which as you can make out, gives it a hairy appearance.
Source: vegetafruit.com
The good thing is you can peel off the shell-like covering of rambutan and enjoy the pale white fruit inside which is juicy, somewhat sweet and has a hard black seed in the middle.
You must be wondering about one thing – rambutan how to eat (since it looks like the delicious lychee). Not to worry, rambutan is to be eaten raw. While it is in the ripening stage, the fruit is covered with green spikes. As it ripens, the spikes turn to reddish-orange color – a signal that it is ready-to-be harvested.
Nutrition Report Of Rambutan
The report card of rambutan nutrition is impressive – it is rich in manganese and has traces of sodium, potassium, zinc, calcium, phosphorous, iron, and magnesium. There is a high level of vitamin B and C in it. There are unique organic compounds as well, and antioxidants that help boost your overall health. The best part being rambutan is low in calories and has protein, dietary fiber, and carbohydrates in small amounts.
Since it has high levels of vitamin C, it improves the iron-absorption by our body, which is good for ruling out anemia. Vitamin C also plays a pivotal role in collagen production that further enhances the process of building and repairing of skin tissue, bones, and joints.
If we were to do arithmetic of it, 100 gms of rambutan contains 4.9 mg of vitamin C. For an average adult, the daily vitamin C requirement is about 75–90 mg. So when you eat about 10 to 12 rambutans every day, it will happily deliver the daily dose of vitamin C needed by your body.
Health Benefits Of Rambutan A Complete List
Starting from weight loss to brightening of the skin tone, to boosting digestion, and the strengthening of the bones, rambutan health benefits give you a fresh new perspective on time-tested natural remedies.
1. Aids Weight Loss:
Every 100 gm serving of rambutan you consume, you gain just 75 calories. Since this fruit keeps you feeling full and improves your metabolism fewer carbs are converted into fat. This aids your weight loss efforts.
2. Boosts Skin Health:
The antioxidants, polyphenolic compounds and vitamin C in this fruit neutralize the free radicals in the body. The result – it reduces inflammatory conditions and fights aging.
Source: indigenousbartender.com
6. Cures Fever and Dysentery:
Rambutan can be used to cure fevers as well as tackle other inflammatory conditions such as headaches, gout, arthritis, and dysentery (stomach upset).
Here is a remedy for dysentery:
- Peel off a rambutan and cut the skin into small pieces
- Put it in a pot, add water to it, and bring it to a boil
- Let it simmer till the pot has half of the original quantity of water
- Allow the liquid to cool down. Now, strain it and consume this drink twice or thrice a day
[sc:mediad]
7. Prevents Heart Diseases:
How many of us know that Vitamin C is good for strengthening and repairing damaged blood vessel walls. This makes rambutan excellent food for promoting heart health.
8. Maintains Sperm Health:
Vitamin C helps to improve sperm health. Eating a rambutan fruit can be of great help in enhancing the quality and quantity of sperm. Therefore, this fruit can work wonders to enhance male fertility.
9. Maintains Blood Sugar:
The rambutan seeds help in maintaining your blood sugar at a healthy level.
Try out this homemade concoction of rambutan for diabetes if you want to keep your sugar level in check.
- Chop a few rambutan seeds into fine pieces
- Sun-dry them for a few days
- Now grind the rambutan seeds into a fine powder
- Add a little rambutan seed powder to a glass of warm water and drink it
10. Prevents Pregnancy-Related Problems:
The rambutan fruit can be useful for pregnant ladies, provided it is consumed in controlled quantities. It can help relieve nausea and dizziness which are common complaints during pregnancy. Since it is high in iron, rambutan fights fatigue and anemia during pregnancy. The rambutan fruit is a rich source of vitamin E that keeps the skin of the expecting mommy glowing and helps relieve itchiness. However, we strongly advise you to please consult your doctor before adding rambutan to your pregnancy diet.
Side Effects Of Rambutan
While eating rambutan, you need to be careful about its toxicity. Also, watch out for any adverse effect on your health if you are suffering from diabetes and hypertension after consuming it. In short, you need to know about rambutan fruit side effects. This holds good when you have eaten rambutan fruit in excess or when you have eaten it after it has over-ripened.
1. Hypertension:
When the rambutan has ripened too far, the sugar in it turns into alcohol. This can be dangerous for people who are trying to control both their cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Consult a doctor first before adding rambutan fruit to your diet if you are suffering from hypertension and high cholesterol levels.
2. Diabetes:
Excessively ripe rambutan can cause a spike in blood sugar levels. This can turn out to be dangerous for those diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
3. Toxicity:
Some people think rambutan seeds can be consumed in the same way as other edible seeds such as sunflower seeds. Always remember the fact that rambutan seed is to be cooked appropriately in order to neutralize some of the toxic components it contains.
Watch the video given below for more information on rambutan:
We advise that you should consult your dietitian before adding rambutan to your wellness diet especially if you are suffering from any chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension or if you are pregnant.
Hope you found this article on rambutan informative. Have you tried eating rambutan before? Tell us how it worked wonders for your health in the comments box below.
