You’ve probably enjoy these fruits sejak kecil lagi. Tapi mesti you tak tahu that some of our local fruits are rich in nutrients that some have hailed them as tropical miracle.
“Eh apa pula ni dia cakap ni?”
Ok macam ni: #ICYMI, a couple of weeks ago we highlighted the benefits that coconuts have to offer as part of our special series celebrating the distinctive, and seasonal fruits, vegetables, and herbs that are indigenous to our homeland, and how they can improve our health.
Kali ni kita orang nak cerita about other exotic fruits – from thorny to hairy, from scaly to smooth, we’re pretty confident that you’ve eaten these fruits at least once in your life.
Let’s dive in! Up first, is mestilah the King of Fruits…
#1 Durian
So, it would be impossible to talk about Southeast Asian food without mentioning this enigmatic produce, sebab buah ni tak boleh jumpa dekat other regions. Famous for its thorn-rich skin, durian is even more famous (atau untuk orang lain, infamous) for its overwhelming scent and thick flesh. That’s why it may not come as a surprise to you that durian is banned in so many places throughout the region termasuklah public transportation.
Macam mana pun, many of us might not be aware of its status as one of the most nutrient-rich fruits in the world (ha, tak sangka kan? Kita pun terkejut mula mula). What if we were to tell you that durian can actually decrease our chances of getting cancer? Ye, betul! It contains antioxidants that may counteract the free radicals that cause the disease. Plus, durian is great for our digestive system (provided you eat it moderately and not melantak habis habisan lah). Haa, mak buyung pernah dengar kan tak boleh makan durian? Hmph, nonsense je! It looks like durian can be consumed by expectant mothers since it consists of folate which supports healthy tissue formation and protects the developing baby’s brain and spine. Dah dah lah tu takut kan mak buyung. Kesian dia mengidam.
#2 Jambu air
Also known as water apple or rose apple in English (bukan water guava eh). Many of us associate jambu air as one of the staple ingredients in rojak buah (uff, just imagining celup jambu dalam kuah rojak – ooh, kecur air liur hoi!).
Eh… lari topic pula. Sorry, sorry.
So, what can we get out of consuming this pink-coloured fruit? Well, it may contain antimicrobial features that could prevent the spread of infection-inducing fungi on our skin. On top of that, jambu air can also support the development of strong teeth and bones due to its relatively high calcium, potassium, and magnesium content. It also contains vitamin C which may decrease the likelihood of stroke as well since it could prevent plaque buildup. Fuhh, what a small, but mighty fruit!
#3 Rambutan
Buah rambutan, menjadi rebutan ramai bila tiba musim… and mana tak nya! Its distinctive outer skin, and juicy inner flesh, is a favourite childhood fruit. Orang tua cakap jangan makan banyak sangat sebab nanti senang batuk. But it would probably surprise you to know that rambutan has the potential to reduce our chance of getting diabetes?
Ha, an extract from rambutan peel could improve insulin sensitivity and lessen insulin resistance, according to certain research. Plus, it’s rich in vitamin C which acts as an immunity booster. Ever wonder why there are rambutan-based shampoos in the market? That’s because dandruff and other scalp conditions may be treated by rambutan’s antibacterial qualities. Your hair could be so smooth, it’d be just a matter of time before you could say, “guna jari pun boleh!”.
#4 Salak
You probably know Salak Selatan, Salak Tinggi or Pasir Salak. But did you know that there’s buah nama Salak? Some people call it snake fruit because of its scaly outer skin. Haa, pernah makan tak?
Nevertheless, Salak contains a high level of beta-carotene which is extremely good for our eyesight. This is awesome news because it may decrease our chance of suffering from macular degeneration and even cataracts! Yang lagi best kan, the fruit’s pectin and potassium contents can help the brain’s blood flow which brings great effects on our memory and cognitive abilities. Forget kismis minda, buah salak is the new memory booster!
It looks like that’s all we have to share for today. But don’t worry! We’ll be back next week to share another round of nutrient-rich local produce. So, stay tuned!
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Disclaimer: Our content is strictly for educational and informational purposes only. Healthlah.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
