Ever heard of sapote? Here are its awesome health benefits
What's the story
Sapote is a tropical fruit that's both tasty and super healthy. There are different kinds of sapotes, like mamey sapote, white sapote, and black sapote. Each one has a special flavor and its own health benefits. In this article, we'll look at all the good stuff sapote has to offer and how you can enjoy this yummy fruit.
Nutritional profile
A powerhouse of vitamins and minerals
One serving of sapote delivers a powerful punch of vitamins C and A, offering 25% and 15% of your daily recommended intake, respectively. Plus, it's packed with dietary fiber, potassium, and several essential minerals. This nutrient powerhouse boosts your immune system, keeps your eyes healthy, and your digestive system happy.
Cooking with sapote
Versatile culinary uses
Sapote's creamy texture and sweet flavor make it a versatile ingredient in the kitchen. It can be enjoyed raw or incorporated into smoothies, desserts, jams, and even savory dishes. Mamey sapote is delicious in milkshakes or as an ice cream base thanks to its rich consistency, while black sapote is often called chocolate pudding fruit due to its ability to create healthy dessert alternatives.
Cardiovascular benefits
An ally for heart health
The high fiber content in sapote binds with cholesterol in the body, helping to lower its levels and subsequently decrease the risk of heart disease. Additionally, the potassium in sapote assists in regulating blood pressure levels by counteracting the effects of sodium in the body. Including sapote in your diet would contribute to maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system.
Immunity support
Boosting your immune system naturally
Vitamin C is essential for the immune system. It enhances several aspects of our immunity, including the production and function of white blood cells, which help protect the body against infections. And, one serving of sapote supplies 25% of your daily vitamin C requirement, making it a great fruit to add to your diet during flu season or whenever you need an immune system pick-me-up.
Selection and storage
Tips for selecting and storing sapotes
To select sapotes at the store, search for fruits that are firm but yield slightly to pressure, indicating ripeness. Unripe ones can be kept at room temperature to ripen. Ripe ones should be refrigerated and consumed within three days. If you love sapotes and want to enjoy them all year, buy a lot of them in season and freeze slices for later.