About The African Star Apple
There is a fruit I enjoyed so much as a kid and young adult, it is the African star apple also known as ‘the white star apple’. Locally it is called Alasa (Ghanaian) Agbalumo or Udarah (Nigerian). Botanically it is called Chrysophyllum Albidum. It grows across the African tropics and is only available between the months of December and April.
The African star apple has an orange colour and is shaped like an apple or a cherry. It is called the star apple because it has an average of 5 flattish seeds arranged in the shape of a star on the inside of it. These seeds when cleaned are brown and shining. There is a white and sweet latex that oozes out when the fruit is cut open. The Star Apple has a sweet taste combined with a sour taste. Research has shown that this apple is amazingly packed with so much nutritional content and can be an alternative medicine in maintaining a healthy body and treating a number of diseases.
NUTRITION FACTS IN APPLE
- Rich in Calcium
- Rich in fibre
- Contains Vitamin C
- Contains Vitamin A
- Contains anti-oxidant properties
- Low in calories, 1 cup of white star apples have 67 calories
- No fat
- Has some iron
- Contains 15g of carbohydrate at a serving
HEALTH BENEFITS OF APPLE
- Lowers blood sugar count
- Lowers cholesterol
- A natural anti-Oxidant booster
- A good treat for diabetics. The leaves extracts of the Star apple plant contain Hypoglycaemic which is a good treat for diabetics
- Prevents and treats heart disease
- Treats drug resistant bacteria
- Good in a loose weight plan. The fibre in this apple makes you feel full, preventing you from over eating aiding weight loss.
- A treat for constipation
- Protects from cancer
- Protects the liver and kidney – the leave extract of the star apple plant protects the liver. Having star apple seed meal would protect both the liver and the kidney.
- Strengthens bones and teeth – the calcium in this fruit is source of strength for bones and teeth.
- Fights cold and flu – this fruit has 100 percent more vitamin C than the orange
- Heals wounds. Extracts from the seeds and roots of this fruit are used to stop bleeding, prevent infection and enhance healing in wounds.
- Could be a male contraceptive – the root bark extract could reduce spam count
USES OF THE AFRICAN STAR APPLE
- Add to a smoothie
- Add it to a salad
- A snack
- A chewing gum – If you chew on the fleshy part of this apple long enough its consistency turns into that of chewing gum
- Medicinal – its seeds may be used to cure fevers and on diarrhea conditions
- Animal feed – instead of throwing away the damaged fruits, they were used to feed pigs.
- A game – (the seeds are cleaned and used in playing games just as children will play with marbles)
- Wood protection – the star apple contains anacadic acid which industrially is used to protect wood.
Please feel free to ask me any question on the African Star Apple or add comments about it below.
Hello there,
A star apple fruit? I have never heard of it before, to be honest.
However, I adore any new information related to the healthy living and/or eating.
It is amazing how rich the nature is in terms of fruits that can enhance our health.
I love the fact that there are a lot of vitamins in this specific fruit that you are describing.
The next thing to do for me is to find a way to buy it!
Hi Asen,
Thanks for coming by my site.
The star Apple can be found in African grocery shops.
Keep me posted on how you get on with it.
I’ve heard of ‘Star Fruit’ but not star apple fruit. It sounds so delicious! It grows in the African tropics? So where can we buy it? I’ve never seen them in stores anywhere!?
Sweet and sour are my two favorite taste to combine. Now you really have me on a ‘food hunt’! Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks for reading my post Jackie,
Star Apple fruits would be found in African grocery shops, but they are only in season between December and April.
Hi there! Thank you for sharing this information, I really enjoyed reading your article on the star apple fruit. I have to say, I’ve never even heard of the star apple. I live in the UK and have never seen these to buy. I can’t believe how many benefits this amazing fruit has.
I really want to try one now but not sure if they are even available over here. I will certainly be on the look out now though!
Thanks,
Andrew
Hi Andrew,
The star Apple is a seasonal fruit, I’m sure they will be available in African shops when they are in season.
Thanks for coming b
Hi Juliet,
I will very soon begin a diet plan, but I am looking to lose weight by way of eating a more healthy and natural diet.
Many products make statements about them protecting us from cancer and heart disease and I see you also do with the star apple fruit. I am always leery of these claims.
I do understand that different foods can naturally provide health benefits, but what proof have you researched that this fruit actually protects against cancer, heart, liver and kidney disease. Those are some big diseases to fight!
Your profile was very interesting and I can see why you have a website on healthy eating.
I enjoyed your article.
Verna
Thanks for your comments Verna,
Various universities in Africa have taken the Star Apple to the lab and studied its components. I got what I said about this fruit from their findings. It’s amazing, how much help this fruit is to our health.
Please feel free to ask any further question