Fruits have been part of our daily diet since ancient times. They are readily available and are more healthy when consumed in raw form. Of course, you must be familiar with common fruits like apples, oranges, bananas, mango, etc. But have you ever tried exotic fruits? They satisfy your tastebuds and are rich in vitamins and nutrients.
In this article, we introduce you to the health benefits and nutritional values of a few exotic fruits that you must try at least once in your lifetime. These fruits may be available in your local markets as they are slightly expensive compared to regular fruits and are sometimes imported. But if you ever get a chance to taste them, you must readily go for it. I am sure you will not be disappointed. Now, let’s explore them one by one.
Exotic fruits: nutritional value, origin and health benefits
The king of fruits, Durian is the baby of the durian tree, found mainly in Asian countries. It is a large, green, spiny fruit and is infamous for its pungent, ugly smell. But don’t stay away from this miracle fruit because of its fragrance, as it is rich in nutrients and can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Durians are usually found in the Southeastern parts of Asia, especially in countries like Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand.
One cup of diced Durian weighs approximately 230 grams. It contains:
Durian fruit is rich in Vitamin C, essential in improving your immunity, bone strength, cartilage structure and blood vessels. In addition, it comprises Thiamine that converts food into energy, thereby increasing your metabolism. Even its tough outer shell is used to make medicines like antibiotics and cough syrups.
Dragon fruit is similar to pomegranate in shape but looks classy with its green-tipped scales and pink-coloured skin. Its inner part comprises a white-coloured flesh with tiny black seeds scattered here and there. This exotic fruit, also known as pitaya, is rich in fibre, iron and magnesium and contains antioxidants that protect our cells. Initially grown in Central America, it is abundantly found in Australia, Thailand, Vietnam, New Zealand, and Hawaii. A 100-gram of dragon fruit is full of the following:
Dragon fruit reduces insulin resistance and is a boon to obese people in lowering their fatty liver. The fruit is rich in prebiotic fibre that helps develop good bacteria in your gut. It also has antioxidant properties, which fight against many lifestyle diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Rambutans are often compared to sea urchins because of their hairy red, yellow, and green crust. The fruit is similar to the lychee in shape and taste. Their native lands are Malaysia and Indonesia, but they are grown in considerable quantities in the South Indian states of Tamilnadu and Kerala. Rambutan’s 100 grams comprises of:
The high Vitamin C content in rambutan promotes hair growth and skin and nail glow. The fruit is rich in copper, which helps produce red blood cells and maintains healthy blood vessels and the nervous system. In addition, its skin and seeds contain antioxidants that are proven anti-ageing agents to fight certain chronic illnesses.
Also known as Wolf Berries, Goji Berries are famous for their bright red colour and sweet and sour taste. They are consumed dry, just like raisins and are used to garnish many delicacies. Chinese medicines use this fruit as one of their main ingredients right from its origin. China is the native country of Goji berries, but they are also widely available in Asian and European countries. Each 100 gram of Goji berries contains:
Goji berries are rich in Vitamin D, which helps in boosting your immunity and acts as a flu shield. Its high fibre content keeps you in high energy and enables you to achieve your weight loss goals. It is also known to improve your sex drive and fertility. It improves sexual ability by increasing sperm count and thereby increasing testosterone.
This nutrient-rich exotic fruit is similar to the cherry in size and colour. It contains two to three large seeds and has a sour taste. Usually, this fruit is consumed raw, but its powder form is used to garnish puddings and salads and enhance smoothies’ flavour. Camu Camu is found in the Amazon rain forests of South America and is grown exclusively in countries like Columbia, Brazil, Peru and Venezuela. A 100-gram Camu Camu is full of:
Since Camu Camu is rich in Vitamin C, it boosts your immunity system and produces collagen, which is vital to healthy muscles, skin and bones. In addition, its antioxidant properties reduce inflammation and contribute to weight loss as it burns calories and improves gut health.
The fruit Mangosteen also holds the title of the queen of tropical fruits because of its unique flavour and appearance. It has a purple-coloured outer structure with delicious white juicy flesh inside. It is consumed raw and has been a vital component in Asian medicines for ages. Its home country is China, but it is also found in other Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia. A cup of Mangosteen is rich in:
The nutrients in Mangosteen are essential for the growth and development of your body. The high vitamin C source acts as an antioxidant that nullifies the effects of cancer in the body. It is also rich in copper, magnesium and manganese, which are responsible for internal body functioning.
The exotic fruit, Jujube, popularly known as Chinese date, is widespread across the globe. It is consumed in the dried form because of its sweet taste and chewy texture. They are primarily used in preparing candies and desserts and are also eaten in raw form. The dark red textured Jujube fruit is a good remedy for treating anxiety. It is produced mainly in China and exported to different parts of the world due to its sweet, tangy taste and medicinal properties. A 100-gram of raw Jujube comprises of:
The flavonoids in their antioxidants reverse the damage caused by free radicals and fight against anxiety. In addition, it improves sleep quality and helps digestion by softening the stool.
The fruit Pummelo is the most prominent member of the citrus fruit family. Its taste is similar to grapefruit and is slightly higher in sweet taste. Since it is rich in folate, Vitamin C and potassium, it brings several health benefits to the body. It originated in Southeast Asia and is cultivated exclusively in China. Many traditional Asian medicines still use it as their main ingredient, which is also part of many home remedies. Each Pummelo fruit is rich in:
The Vitamin C included in the Pummelo fruit is essential for bone growth. In addition, its high fibre content boosts satiety and helps in digestion. Various studies are ongoing on the role of citrus fruits in cancer prevention. If it is true, then Pummelo fruit is going to be of great help in eradicating cancer.
Kiwano fruits look more like alien fruit due to their shape and are even more confusing from the inside. But once you put this heavenly fruit in your mouth, you will be blown off by its taste. You can relate its taste to kiwi, zucchini and cucumber and hence has also got the nickname African Cucumber or horned melon. This fruit is a part of the melon family and is consumed worldwide. It is usually found in the central and southern parts of Africa, but now it is grown in temperate regions across the globe. Each Kiwano fruit comprises of:
The antioxidant property of Kiwano fights against cell damage and reduces inflammation. In addition, its high iron content produces red blood cells and prevents many life-threatening diseases. It also has high water content leading to proper hydration.
It holds the title of the largest fruit in the world, sometimes weighing up to 80 lb. It belongs to Southeast Asia and has a starchy sweet, subtle taste similar to an apple or banana flavour. While cooking, it takes the flavours of other ingredients and sometimes takes the shape of shredded pork. Hence in the U.S., it is used as a vegan meat substitute. One cup of diced jackfruit contains:
The high potassium content in jackfruit reduces your blood pressure and protects you from cardiovascular diseases, bone loss and stroke. It also gives you glowing skin and protects it from sun damage.
This tropical fruit is usually found in the warm climates of Australia, South America, South Africa and India. Also known as Passiflora, this fruit has a soft pulp with many seeds. One passion fruit contains:
Since the fruit is rich in antioxidants, it increases the blood flow inside the body, especially to the brain and nervous system. It also reduces stress and inflammation in the body, preventing heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, its high fibre content prevents constipation and bowel disorders. Consuming passion fruit can also lower your insulin resistance and cholesterol levels.
Everything consumed naturally in its raw, organic form has its health benefits. The same applies to exotic fruits also. If you have the luxury to include them in your daily diet, it would be the best gift you can give to your health. These fruits are rich in essential nutrients like antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that our body needs daily. Hence you can lead a healthy and long life by consuming them with your other staple food.