Mamey Fruit: Health Benefits, Nutritional Value, and More

The mamey fruit is unbelievably nutritious and has numerous potential health benefits. The ripe fruit’s pulp is soft, finely granular, salmon pink. It sometimes also appears deep orangish in colour. The flesh part has a sweet and custardy flavour. Although you can consume the fruit solo, you can also prepare ice creams and milkshakes. Besides being good in taste, it is beneficial to the health. It can improve digestion and heart health. Additionally, it helps in anaemia and skin health. Furthermore, the reasonable amounts of proteins and fibre in mamey fruit also aid in weight loss. It also contains a good amount of antioxidants, which reduce oxidative stress.

Its scientific term is Pouteria sapota, and it belongs to the family Sapotaceae. Mamey fruit tree carries tiny, white flowers, which grow into fruits later. In addition, it is a large berry with a soft, creamy texture and a unique flavour. You can find it in some parts of Central America and Mexico. However, people in several Latin American countries also consume it. It is many times larger than other fruits like pumpkins, apricots and sweet potatoes.

Mamy fruits is an oval fruit with a vibrant orange hue. The fruit appears around 6 to 10 cm in diameter and 8 to 15 cm long. In addition, its outer skin is thick, leathery, and rough with a brown, scurfy surface. It also contains a hard, elliptical, glossy seed at the centre. The mamey fruit’s weight ranges from about 300 grams to 2.5 kgs.

Nutritional Value of Mamey Fruit

The mamey fruit is very nutritious. Studies show that it has a remarkable amount of vitamins. It also contains a good amount of minerals and fibre. A 100 gm serving of this fruit gives 124 calories. However, fruits like jackfruit and banana have lesser calories than mamey fruit. 

100 grams of mamey fruit contains:

• Energy: 124kCals
• Proteins: 1.45g
• Carbohydrates: 32.10g
• Fats: 0.46g
• Dietary Fibre: 5.4g
• Cholesterol: 0g
• Folate: 7μg
• Niacin: 1.432mg
• Vitamin A: 143IU
• Vitamin C: 23mg
• Sodium: 7mg
• Potassium: 454mg
• Calcium: 18mg
• Phosphorus: 26mg

Health Benefits of Mamey Fruit

1. Antioxidant Effect

Inflammation occurs when the immune system responds strongly. Mamey fruit is rich in vitamin C. Studies show that vitamin C has antioxidant properties that reduce inflammation and cell damage. As a result, it can help prevent diseases like arthritis.

Copper in mamey fruit also imparts several health benefits. For example, it helps produce red blood cells and improve the formation of connective tissues. In addition, mamey fruit contains vitamin B6, a water-soluble vitamin that aids in brain function. It also enhances immune function, protein metabolism, etc.

2. Supports Digestive Health

Fibre progresses slowly through our body undigested, which helps to add bulk to our stools, helping ease its passage through the rectum. Experts suggest that increasing your fibre intake might increase the bowel movement frequency and improve the consistency of stools to prevent digestive problems like constipation. 

Mamey fruits are rich in fibre, with 5.4g per 100 grams. Studies show that fibre helps in improving digestive diseases. Therefore, including this fruit in the diet can improve digestive function. It is also rich in tannins, an antioxidant. Tannins help treat enteritis, irritable bowel disorder, reflux esophagitis, and erosive gastritis. Furthermore, a diet high in fibre protects against diverticulitis, piles or haemorrhoids. These conditions result from inflammation.

3. Improves Skin Health

The mamey fruit supplies various nutrients like vitamins and minerals. In addition, it contains antioxidants, which reduce oxidative damage by free radicals. Oxidative damage makes our skin dull. However, the antioxidants in mamey fruit help keep our skin smooth, healthy and glowing.

Due to its high vitamin C content, mamey fruit stimulates collagen synthesis, which improves skin elasticity. In addition, it slows down skin ageing. Vitamin C also aids in wound healing. Additionally, it might reduce inflammation and protect against ultraviolet-induced skin damage.

Mamey fruit is also an excellent source of vitamin E, which is beneficial to your skin. Cosmetic manufacturers use vitamin E in various skincare products. Studies suggest that it improves skin health because of its high antioxidant content. Therefore, mamey fruit aids in reducing acne and speeds up wound healing. Furthermore, it helps treat psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.

4. Protects Against Anaemia

Our bodies do not produce red blood cells, usually during anaemia. Irregular production of red blood cells causes brittle nails, shortness of breath, fatigue, and weakness. The mamey fruit is an excellent source of folate. Therefore, it can reduce the risk of anaemia. In addition, it has several other nutrients like vitamin C, which help improve iron absorption.

5. Improves Heart Health

Mamey fruit is an excellent source of fibre, potassium and antioxidants. As a result, it imparts a beneficial effect on our heart health. Fibre is beneficial for heart health because it notably reduces bad cholesterol, a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Fibre connects with the excess cholesterol particles in our body and helps them excrete through stool.

Studies suggest that potassium aids in regulating blood pressure. In addition, it helps maintain fluid balance. As a result, it regulates blood pressure. Mamey fruits contain reasonable amounts of potassium. Therefore, consuming these fruits regularly might reduce blood pressure. 

The antioxidants in mamey fruit alleviate inflammation, reduce oxidative stress and prevent heart diseases.

6. Improves Immunity

The mamey fruit is an excellent source of vitamin C. Vitamin C is known for its antioxidant properties. In addition, it can enhance immune function. Studies report that vitamin C might strengthen immunity and improve the production of immune cells. Additionally, they might reduce the harmful effects of free radicals and reduce inflammation. Some studies reveal that it shortens the duration of the common cold. It may also prevent other kinds of respiratory infections. 

This nutrient-rich fruit contains various other nutrients. These nutrients may also contribute to better immunity. Some of these include copper, vitamin B6, and vitamin E.

Potential Side Effects and Precautions

• Consuming excessive fruit pulp can cause constipation. Therefore, you should always consume the fruit in moderation.
• You should avoid taking unripe fruit as it can be toxic and cause health issues. 
• Consuming the seeds can cause poisoning and can harm pregnant and lactating women. Therefore, expectant and lactating mothers should avoid it. It can cause harm to the foetus and can even be fatal.
• It can also cause allergies in children. These allergies may lead to hives, skin rash, itchy throat, swelling of lips, breathing difficulties, etc.

Conclusion

The mamey fruit is a tropical fruit known for its unique flavour and texture. Besides being flavourful, it is a nutrient-dense fruit that gives a heart-healthy dose of fibre and copper. It also contains vitamins like vitamins B6 and C in every serving. As a result, it offers many health benefits. For example, it helps prevent anaemia, boosts skin health, helps maintain digestive health, improves heart health and strengthens immunity.

Including mamey fruit in your diet can promote bowel regularity and improve immune function. Therefore, you can enjoy this nutritious fruit regularly. In addition, you may use it to prepare delicious recipes. One simple idea is simply to scoop out the fruit flesh and add it to your smoothies. Furthermore, you can add it to cookies too. Although mamey fruits have several health benefits, it is essential to consume them in adequate amounts. Excess of anything is not advisable.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Q. What is mamey fruit good for?

A. Mamey fruit is a nutrient-dense fruit with a delicious flavour. It contains fibre and copper, which are beneficial to the heart. In addition, vitamins B6 and C in mamey fruits have numerous advantages like preventing anaemia and improving skin health. It also aids in the maintenance of intestinal health, improving heart health and immunity.

Q. Can you eat mamey seed?

Seed consumption can cause poisoning, which can be pretty dangerous for pregnant or lactating women. In addition, it can potentially harm the foetus. Therefore, pregnant women should avoid taking it because it can be fatal.

Q. Is mamey good for hair?

A. Yes, mamey oil contains fatty acids that stimulate hair growth by feeding the scalp and improving follicle nourishment, absorption and retention. In addition, due to its excellent adsorbent properties, it penetrates follicles and hydrates and repairs even the driest and most damaged hair.

Q. Is mamey the same as papaya?

A. Mamey and papaya are two different fruits. The main difference between mamey and papaya is that mamey is the evergreen Mammea americana tree or its edible fruit that are round, football-shaped with dull skin. In contrast, papaya is a tropical American evergreen tree, Carica papaya, that appears large, yellow, and has edible fruits.

Q. What does mamey fruit taste like?

A. Mamey is a rarely seen fruit. It has the same size as coconut and brownish, rough skin like sandpaper. It is an elegant fruit with cream pinkish flesh that tastes or feels like pumpkin pie from the inside.