10 Amazing Health Benefits of Eating Chikoo | Chikoo Fruit Benefits

Winters are here, and so are the seasonal fruits! Read the article to know about the Benefits of Eating Chikoo and why you must include it in your diet!

• Common Names: Chiku, Chikoo, Chiku, Chikku, Sapeta, Chimaiyiluppai, Sima ippacettu

Manilkara Zapota, or Sapodilla or Sapota, is a tree native Southern Mexico. It is a long-lasting, hardy tree with decorative leaves that are shiny, green in color, and the flavourful berries are famous for their taste. Let’s discuss the benefits of eating chikoo!

Growing Chikoo

Growing chikoo is just as easy as growing any other fruit. Here are the requirements for growing Chikoo in your garden.

• Temperature: Though the fruits can grow quickly in temperate, subtropical, and tropical conditions, they can not survive very high temperatures. As it affects the growth of fruit.
• Soil: Although well-draining black or alluvium soil is considered ideal for them. Chikoo trees can survive in a wide variety of soil.
• Sunlight: These plants require at least 6-8 hours of sunlight to prosper well.  So place your plants under a sunny spot.
• Irrigation: Chikoo is a hardy plant and can survive a lack of moisture. So, water your plants in 8-10 days. Do remember to increase the time interval in winters.
• Fertilizer: Fertilize your plants with rotted cow dung manure as these plants are not heavy feeders and require very little fertilization.
• Varieties: Cricket ball, Kalipatti, Calcutta round, Baramasi, Dwarapudi, Pilipatti, Dhola Diwani, Murabba, Baharu, Gandhevi Barada, Pala.

Growing Chikoo in Containers

• If you wish to grow chikoo in containers, you should choose a dwarf growth variety.
• Growing them from potted nursery plants is the best method for container gardening.
• You can use a well-drained, fertile soil or a high-quality potting mix.
• Choose a big container, with drainage holes as these plants need proper space and drainage to grow well.
• Water your plants after checking the moisture levels. Overwatering can affect plant growth.
• Chikoo plants do not require a lot of fertilization so fertilizing the plants with cow dung manure would be enough
• Although these plants are pretty resistant to pests and diseases, use neem oil to get rid of pests if you still find any.

Benefits of Eating Chikoo

1. Rich in Vitamin A & C

Chikoos are an excellent source of vitamin A, and vitamin C. Vitamin A helps in keeping eyes healthy. In contrast, vitamin C help strengthening the immune system, avert heart disease and keeps your skin healthy.

2. Treats Nausea and Weakness

In addition to vitamines, chikoo or sapota is also rich in electrolytes, folate, and carbohydrates, which can be helpful in nausea and morning wooziness in pregnant women. It can also be useful in preventing weakness.

3. Provides Energy

It works as an instant energizer. The fruit is high in the content of natural sugars (sucrose and fructose), which works just like glucose and provides instant energy to the one who eats it. Athletes are often suggested to eat sapota fruit for their instant energy requirements.

4. Improves Blood Circulation

Rich in potassium, chikoos can be beneficial in maintaining blood pressure and healthy blood circulation. The fruit also has hemostatic properties and proves helpful in stopping the loss of blood in the body; hence it can be useful to stop the bleeding in case of injuries.

5. Good for Stomach Related Problems

Another reason eating Chikoos can be beneficial as the fruit can serve as a great anti-inflammatory agent. Due to its high tannin contents, the fruit can be used in treating gastritis, esophagitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and other diseases of this kind.

6. Strengthens the Bones

Packed with calcium, magnesium, and potassium, chikoos can also aid in maintaining healthy bones in the body. These same nutrients help in increasing the strength of the bones.

7. Nourishes Hair and Skin

Eating chikoos proves excellent for both hair and skin. It helps flush out toxins from the body and assists in the production of collagen, which further helps in keeping skin healthy. Chikoos are best eaten ripe or in the form of juice! Raw chikoos contain a high amount of latex and tannin, which are very bitter and cause irritation, itching, ulcers, and even breathing difficulties.

8. Treats Cold

Chikoos are effective in curing even the severe cough and cold. The chemical compounds that are present in Chikoo help eliminate the phlegm and mucus from the respiratory system and nasal passage.

9. Improves Digestive System

The fruit contains polyphenolic antioxidants that give the fruit its various anti-viral, anti-bacterial properties. These antioxidants restrict bacteria from entering the body of humans. Vitamin C, in addition to that, kills the harmful radicals and potassium, iron, and folate help in the smooth working of the digestive system.

10. Reduces Stress

The fruit is also known for sedative properties. The fruit is an excellent sedative and helps in calming the nerves and stress. It is good for patients having diseases like insomnia, anxiety, and depression.