You’ve probably eaten this tasty fruit as dessert, but did you know that its bark and leaves also possess healing properties?
Unlock the holistic benefits of atis, also known as sugar apple or sweet sop. Beyond its delicious fruit, atis offers heart health improvements, stress reduction, respiratory support, joint relief, and blood pressure regulation. Even its leaves, bark, and seeds provide medicinal properties, enhancing overall well-being. Explore the wonders of atis beyond just its sweetness.
But First, the Fruit!
But First, the Fruit!
Atis, globally known as sugar apple or sweet sop, is a tropical fruit with silky and creamy flesh and a heart-shaped velvety exterior that’s green in color. The tree is easy to grow and usually bears fruit within a year. To take a deep dive into its health benefits, let’s look at the fruit first.
Hooray for Heart Health
Hooray for Heart Health
Believe it or not, dessert can be good for the heart. The fiber, Vitamin B3 or niacin, and magnesium components of atis increase good cholesterol and lessen the bad ones. Good on ‘ya!
The Mood Sweetener
The Mood Sweetener
Did you know that there’s a specific brain chemical that can slow your brain down and help calm you down? Well, there is, and the B-complex vitamins in atis help regulate this—resulting in less stress and irritability. A happy fruit, indeed!
Hold Your Breath
Hold Your Breath
Relax, you can now breathe easy. Because of its high levels of Vitamin C, atis may help prevent asthma attacks. Vitamin B6 found in the fruit also manages bronchial inflammation and alleviates other respiratory conditions by keeping your airways open.
Joint Healer
Joint Healer
We know how uncomfortable it is to have joint issues. Oftentimes, it’s downright painful. Well, the magnesium in atis may help reduce the risk of arthritis and rheumatism. Just be sure to get some exercise in as well.
Feel the Pressure yet?
Feel the Pressure yet
No, we’re not forcing you to eat atis! We’re just here to tell you that it can also lower your blood pressure and keep it under control with potassium and magnesium. So, yeah…you might want to give it a try. No pressure!
Don’t Sugar Rush
Don’t Sugar Rush
With the fast pace of life, not everything has to be in a rush, especially sugar. The fiber present in atis may help slow down the absorption of sugar and digestion of carbs, preventing the sudden rise of blood sugar levels.
Knight in Not-So-Shiny Armor
Knight in Not-So-Shiny Armor
Atis may be dull green in color, but it is filled to the brim with Vitamin C that serves as your immunity guardian. It is also packed with antioxidants that support the body’s natural defense mechanism, helping to invigorate your own protective barriers and ensuring you feel vibrant and supported day in and day out.
Glorious Crowning Glory
Glorious Crowning Glory
Hair, shoulders, knees, and toes. Talk about overall health benefits. The excellent balance of micronutrients found in atis helps support overall hair health and fosters healthy growth.
Seeing is Believing
Seeing is Believing
Atis is a lutein-rich fruit, which may aid in maintaining overall eye health. Lutein is essential in reducing the risk of age-related eye problems. The fruit’s antioxidant properties also help protect the cells of the retina and cornea from harmful stressors and free radicals.
Phew, that was a long list of benefits from atis. But just like the fruit, we won’t stop there! Let's keep it going with the leaves, bark, and seeds.
Don’t Leave, There’s More
Don’t Leave, There’s More
It may be not as sweet as its fruit counterpart, but it’s just as healthy! The dahon or leaves of atis have insecticidal and vermicidal effects. When boiled and drank as beverage, it can increase menstrual flow for women, break a fever, help with dizziness, and calm you down.
Atis leaves can even be crushed instead of boiled and applied directly to the skin to help heal wounds, treat ringworm itch, soothe insect bites, and alleviate rheumatic pain.
Don’t Park the Bark
Don’t Park the Bark
The bark of the atis contains antibacterial compounds that help fight against E. coli. Boiling it can even help soothe tummy issues.
The Need for Seeds
The Need for Seeds
No, we’re not asking you to consume the seeds! Atis seeds are usually pounded and made into a paste to treat hair lice. Just be careful not to get any of the paste in your eyes to avoid any discomfort.
There you go! After reading this, we hope that you see atis as just a tasty dessert, but also as an ally to increase overall health.
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