When lucuma was first cultivated thousands of years ago, it rose quickly as a food of choice for people living in Chile, Ecuador, and Peru. In the last few years, this fruit has gained popularity as a superfood with various health benefits.
From the outside, this tropical fruit looks like a spherical avocado with smooth, thin, green skin. On the inside, it has bright, orange-yellow flesh that looks and feels a lot like the yolk of a hardboiled egg.
When ripe, lucuma can be eaten in its whole food form. Usually, though, it is consumed as a sweetener in yogurt, ice cream, and juice.
What Does Lucuma Taste Like
Whether eaten in fruit form or as a powder, lucuma is deliciously sweet. It is described mainly as having a slight apricot, caramel, maple flavor, alternatively, as a combination of pumpkin, sweet potato, and butterscotch.
Health Benefits
Lucuma’s trace nutrients, micronutrients, and antioxidants help regulate and optimize various body functions, as well as improve overall health.
Even as a powder supplement, many of the health benefits can still be gained.
Boost Energy Levels
Carbs aren’t always the enemy. In fact, healthy carbohydrates are vital nutrients that fuel the body to perform its best. Lucuma has a large number of healthy carbs that can increase overall energy throughout the day.
Additionally, lucuma’s high fiber content slows down digestion, letting more carbs go towards providing energy instead of turning into sugar. This process creates more balanced blood sugar levels, leading to improved energy, alertness, and even weight management.
Rich Source Of Antioxidants
Whether it’s eaten as a fruit or a powder, lucuma has many antioxidants that protect cells against damaging free radicals.
Numerous studies have shown the benefits of antioxidants, including improved cardiovascular health or even prevention against some types of cancer.
Lucuma, in particular, contains polyphenols and carotenoids. These specific antioxidants ease inflammation, fight the growth of cancer cells, and decrease the risk of heart disease.
Xanthophylls, which are a collection of carotenoids that give the lucuma fruit its distinctive yellow hue, are believed to contribute to improved vision health.
Encourages Digestive Health
Lucuma is also beneficial for gut health. The fiber inside it can promote bowel regularity, relieve constipation, ease bloating, and boost metabolism.
It also acts as food for healthy gut bacteria that support the immune system, protecting the body from disease.
For people with gut disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis, the short-chain fats produced by this bacteria is critical for lowering inflammation and easing symptoms.
However, even for those without these medical problems, the bacteria is still an essential part of staying healthy.
Improves Skin Health
Lucuma has significant amounts of vitamin A, which is what gives skin a rosy, healthy appearance. Vitamin A also decreases inflammation and oxidative stress, lowering the chance of chronic disease.
Controls Blood Pressure
The antioxidants and other anti-inflammatory compounds lucuma contain might be useful for managing high blood pressure and diabetes.