05/22/2019 / By Evangelyn Rodriguez
Fruits have long been known to contain antioxidants, which is why they are indispensable parts of a healthy diet. In case you need a refresher, antioxidants are naturally occurring chemicals that get rid of free radicals, which are harmful to our cells. Some of the fruits known to be packed with antioxidants are grapes, strawberries, blueberries, oranges and plums. It’s fine if you’re already content with having these in your diet; but if you’re in search of something to add to the mix, then you might want to consider the antioxidant-rich fruit of the Ceylon ironwood.
Ceylon ironwood (Manilkara hexandra) is a small-to-medium-sized evergreen tree native to South Asia. In India, it is locally known as rayan or khirni and is mostly found in the country’s western and central states. Almost every part of the tree has been used in traditional medicine by older people as well as tribal people in India. The seeds, for instance, contain 25% edible oil and a crude saponin mixture that has been studied for its anti-inflammatory properties. The rayan fruit, on the other hand, is reported to have phytochemicals that can reduce blood sugar, making it a potential antidiabetic food.
But researchers from the Sardar Patel University in India believed that there is more to the rayan fruit than just that. In their study, published in the journal Food Science and Human Wellness, they examined its content for other health benefits. They extracted chemical compounds from its pulp and seeds using methanol and compared the amounts to determine which part yielded more. They then tested the chemicals for antioxidant activity using different assays.
Based on these findings, the researchers suggest that the fruit of the Ceylon ironwood be made a part of people’s diet because it is a great source of antioxidants which help maintain a healthy body.
Get to know more amazing fruits and why they are good for your health by visiting Fruits.news.
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Tagged Under: alternative medicine, antioxidant fruits, antioxidants, Ceylon ironwood, clean food, flavonoids, food cures, food is medicine, food science, Free radicals, functional food, Gallic acid, kaempferol, Manilkara hexandra Dubard, natural medicine, phenolic compounds, quercetin, research
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