10 Incredible Wood Apple Benefits

Wood Apple Benefits

Have you ever heard of wood apple? This exotic fruit, also known as Limonia acidissima, is packed with a wealth of health benefits and has been cherished for centuries in traditional medicine.

Native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, wood apple, also called elephant apple or monkey fruit, is gradually gaining popularity worldwide.

This blog post discusses about wood apple benefits for health, its nutritional value and how to incorporate it into your diet.

What is Wood Apple?

Wood apple is a unique fruit with a hard, woody shell and a fragrant, fibrous pulp inside. It offers a complex flavor profile that blends sweet, sour, and tangy notes, making it a versatile ingredient in both savory and sweet dishes.

The fruit is typically consumed fresh, juiced, or incorporated into chutneys, jams, and desserts.

Nutrient Profile

Wood apple benefits your body in various way with its high percentage of fiber, which assists digestion, and helps prevent constipation.

It also contains essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, which boosts immunity, and potassium, which promotes heart health and controls blood pressure.

Wood apple also includes a good amount of iron, calcium, and magnesium, which are vital for food health and general well-being. Some wood apple benefits include detoxification, reducing work load on kidneys, boosting immunity etc,.

Nutritional Value

The nutritional value of wood apple (also known as bael fruit) per 100 grams is as follows.

• Protein: 9.3 g
• Fiber: 3.32 g
• Vitamin C: 255 mg (283% Daily Value (DV))

Wood apple also contains vitamins B1, B2, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.

Health Benefits

Wood apples are not just rich in essential vitamins and minerals, it also offers many health advantages. Let us look at some incredible wood apple benefits for health.

1. Rich in Antioxidants

Wood apple is packed with antioxidants, compounds that protect the body against oxidative stress and free radical damage. These antioxidants help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Studies suggests that wood apple had shown  high antioxidant activity, which is attributed to its rich content of phenolic compounds.

These bioactive compounds impart various health benefits and help in curing multiple diseases.

2. May Promote Digestive Health

Wood apples are well-known for their effect on digestive issues. The fruit is rich in fiber, which helps regulate bowel movements, reduces constipation, and promotes the health of the digestive system.

Furthermore, wood apple contains natural laxatives that can reduce stomach-related issues such as indigestion and bloating.

3. May Boost Immunity

Wood apple’s high vitamin C concentration makes it an effective immunity booster. Vitamin C strengthens the immune system, increases the body’s ability to fight infections and illnesses, and shortens the duration and severity of colds and flu.

Regular consumption of wood apple can help strengthen the body’s natural defenses.

4. May Control Diabetes

Wood apple has a low glycemic index, which slows the release of sugar into the bloodstream and reducing the risk of rapid spike in blood sugar levels.

Wood apple is high in fiber, which slows sugar absorption, and antioxidants like flavonoids and vitamin C that protect pancreatic cells and improve insulin sensitivity.

It also has anti-inflammatory effects, reducing chronic inflammation associated with diabetes. Studies suggest wood apple may lower blood sugar levels and improve lipid profiles.

This makes it a perfect fruit for individuals with diabetes who want to efficiently regulate their blood sugar levels.

5. May Prevent Respiratory Diseases

Wood apple contains natural stimulants, which helps loosen and expel mucus from the respiratory tract. This can help relieve congestion in the chest and nasal passages, making breathing easier.

Wood apple is also a good source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, such as flavonoids and polyphenols, which can help reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract. This is particularly beneficial for conditions like asthma and bronchitis, where inflammation plays a key role.

Consuming wood apple juice or pulp regularly may have a relaxing effect on the throat and respiratory tracts, providing relief from asthma, bronchitis, coughing, and sore throat.

6. May Reduce Uric Acid Levels

In an animal study, rats were given the ethanolic extract from wood apple at a dose of 200 mg, the extract was effective in blocking URAT1, a protein involved in uric acid regulation. However, a higher dose of 400 mg could lead to kidney damage.

The extract’s ability to lower uric acid is likely due to its active compounds, including triterpenoids (lanosterol and lupeol), phytosterols (stigmasterol and gamma-sitosterol), and fatty acids (11,14-eicosadienoic acid, oleic acid).

However, further research on wood apple is needed to find the most effective compound responsible for lowering uric acid and inhibiting URAT1.

7. Diuretic Effect

Wood apple has natural diuretic properties, meaning it can increase urine production and promote the elimination of toxins and waste products from the body through the kidneys.

This diuretic action helps to flush out harmful substances and prevent the formation of kidney stones and urinary tract infections (UTIs).

8. Cooling Effect

Wood apple has a natural cooling effect on the body, making it ideal for consumption during hot weather. Its high water content helps hydrate and refresh, while its soothing properties can reduce body heat and alleviate conditions like heatstroke.

In Ayurvedic medicine, wood apple is considered a cooling fruit that helps reduce excess heat in the body.

It is often consumed during the hot summer months to cool down the body and prevent heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke and dehydration.

9. May Improve Liver Function 

Wood apple is known for its hepatoprotective properties, meaning it helps protect the liver from damage.

Rich in antioxidants like flavonoids and polyphenols, it combats oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which can harm liver cells.

Additionally, wood apple aids detoxification by promoting the elimination of toxins, thus supporting liver health and function, in turn  preventing the liver-related diseases.

Regular consumption can help maintain a healthy liver, preventing liver diseases and improving overall metabolic health.

10. Antimicrobial and Antibacterial Properties

Wood apple possesses strong antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, making it effective in fighting infections. The bioactive compounds in wood apple help inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and microbes.

Research has shown that extracts from wood apple can effectively combat bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and Salmonella typhi (S. typhi).

These bacteria are known to cause food poisoning, skin infections, and typhoid fever, respectively. By inhibiting their growth, wood apple helps prevent and reduce the severity of bacterial infections.

In addition to inhibiting bacterial growth, wood apple contains compounds that can destroy bacteria. These bactericidal properties ensure that harmful bacteria are killed, reducing the risk of infections and promoting faster recovery from illnesses.

How to Incorporate Wood Apple into Your Diet

Wood apple can be enjoyed in various ways, making it easy to incorporate into your diet. Here are some simple ideas.

• Raw Fruit: Scoop out the pulp and enjoy it fresh.
• Juice: Blend the pulp with water and a bit of honey for a refreshing drink.
• Smoothies: Add wood apple pulp to your favorite smoothie recipes.
• Chutneys: Use wood apple pulp to make tangy and flavorful chutneys.
• Desserts: Incorporate wood apple pulp into desserts like puddings and ice creams.

Conclusion

Wood apples benefits for health are incredible from improved digestion and heart health to blood sugar regulation and strengthened immune system.

This exotic fruit, whether eaten fresh or in the form of juice or jam, can be a tasty and nutritious addition to your regular diet.

Embrace the goodness of wood apple and gain the benefits of its extraordinary health-enhancing properties.

Why Do I Have Dark Circles Even When I Get Enough Sleep
6 Super Foods That Are High in Vitamin D
8 Amazing Health Benefits of Carrot Juice

FAQs

Are wood apples hot or cold?

In Ayurvedic medicine, wood apple is considered a cooling fruit that helps reduce excess heat in the body.

Who should not eat wood apple?

People with gastric issues should avoid wood apple. Diabetics should avoid it, as it lowers the blood sugar levels.

References:

1. Image by [Xookits] / stock.adobe.com

Sourced and summarized from

1. Singhania N, Barmanray A. Optimization of Phenolic Compounds Extraction from Wood Apple (Limonia acidissima L.) Fruit using Experimental Design Methodology. Curr Res Nutr Food Sci 2022; 10(2). Available From: https://bit.ly/3w77oQc. Used under CC BY 4.0.
2. Yusnaini R, Nasution R, Saidi N, Arabia T, Idroes R, Ikhsan I, Bahtiar R, Iqhrammullah M. Ethanolic Extract from Limonia acidissima L.Fruit Attenuates Serum Uric Acid Level via URAT1  in Potassium oxonate-induced Hyperuricemic rats. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2023 Mar 9;16(3):419. doi: 10.3390/ph16030419. PMID: 36986518; PMCID: PMC10054421. Used under CC BY 4.0.
3. Afifah DN, Ayustaningwarno F, Rahmawati A, Cantikatmaka DN, Wigati N, Noer ER, Widyastuti N, Wijayanti HS, Sugianto DN, Ningrum YPA, Hastuti VN. Characteristics of wood apple (Limonia acidissima L.) and soybean powder jelly for emergency food alternatives. Sci Rep. 2023 Sep 13;13(1):15161. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-42140-y. PMID: 37704836; PMCID: PMC10499880. Used under CC BY 4.0.