300x600
Talking about rose apples, the first thing that comes to mind is whether the fruit is related to roses or apples. As a matter of fact, rose apples are not related to either of them but are actually closely related to guava. This bell-shaped, red-colored fruit offers a host of health benefits. It is used both as a food item and in medicines. It is also popularly known as water apple.
What is a Rose Apple?
Native to tropical lands, like the ones in Southeast Asia, water apple spread over most of the world as an ornamental plant. It is quite an invasive species and is technically referred to as Syzygium Jambos. It easily spreads across lands and takes over the local flora cultivations. Known by many names, rose apples or water apples or bell fruits find themselves most commonly known as Jambu, which rhymes with the Indian name of plum, jamun.
The French call the water apple as Jambosier D’eau or Pomme D’eau; the Japanese call it Mizu Renbu and in Spanish it is Manzana De Agua. The Southeast Asian names of rose apples are Machomphu-Pa in Thai, and Jambu Chili or Jambu Ayer in Malaysia.
Though rose apples do resemble guava, they are structurally and biologically different. The texture, flavor, and odor of rose apples are different from that of guavas. Moreover, water apples have one or two seeds, while guavas have numerous tiny seeds.
Much like guavas and apples, rose apples can be eaten raw. The bell-shaped brightly colored fruit can also be made into many dishes and desserts.
Nutritional Value of Rose Apples
Renowned for its rich amount of iron, calcium, proteins and vitamin A, a 100 gm has the following nutritional composition:
Health Benefits of Rose Apple or Water Apple
Rose apples have been used in traditional medicine by people across the world. The fruit and its bark are also used for various medicinal purposes in the sub-Saharan African regions. Ayurveda too finds the use of rose apples and is used for a lot of preparations. Let us discuss the various health benefits of water apples.
1. Boost the Immune System
The high content of vitamin C in rose apples can help your immune system to perform effectively and efficiently against foreign pathogens. As per Research, the fruit has active and volatile components that have antimicrobial and anti-fungal effects. The skin can especially benefit from these compounds, making it healthy and glowing.
2. Fights free radicals repairs the damage
Water apple leaves have antioxidants and hence prevent free radicals from oxidizing the cells and thus causing damage to the body. Free radicals can cause many serious diseases and it is necessary to have food rich in antioxidants to restrict molecular oxidation. Both the leaves and the bark of the rose apple tree have some antioxidant properties but further research is required in this regard.
3. Good for LDL cholesterol
The ‘bad cholesterol’ or low-density lipoprotein can lead to a buildup of fatty, waxy deposits in your arteries and puts your heart at risk. Cardiovascular complications associated with high levels of LDL cholesterol include strokes and coronary heart diseases. However, the nutrients and fiber in rose apples have the ability to affect the bad cholesterol positively, boosting heart health and overall wellbeing.
4. Helps in constipation
Given our fast-paced lifestyle and poor food choices and habits, constipation is a major problem battled by many of us. A survey by Times of India concluded that over 14% of people in urban India suffer from chronic constipation. Including the amazing water apple as a part of your daily diet regime can provide necessary fiber required to have smooth bowel movements. The digestive health subsequently gets a boost as well.
5. Beneficial for skin
Skin is the biggest organ of our body. Rose apples have anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat skin conditions such as acne vulgaris. Skin infections can also be treated by leaves of rose apple plant. Rose apples are also believed to have preventive actions on skin infections. Anti-oxidants in rose apples to help in maintaining optimal skin health by reducing the damage caused by stress, pollution, and poor diet. Eating water apples regularly can give you soft and supple skin, and get rid of wrinkles.
In a study for water jambu leaves, it was found to have rich cosmeceutical properties. The leaf extract was found to be rich in phenolic compounds that are protective against free radicals. Further research could make it one of the important ingredient in the skin care cosmetic products.
6. Prevents muscle cramps
The condition of hypokalemia is caused due to low levels of potassium in the body – which forms an important electrolyte for nerve and cell functioning. The levels of potassium in the body are controlled by the kidneys, but some potassium-wasting agents can cause more potassium to get lost through urine. Rose apples are abundant in potassium and regular intake can strengthen the muscles, thus preventing muscular cramps.
7. Rose apples reduce toxins
Given the diuretic properties of rose apples, they are traditionally used in many decoctions to clear liver and kidney toxins effectively. Toxic chemicals in the body can lead to serious health issues like heart diseases, cancer, and arthritis. Water apples can remove toxic substances from the body, thus boosting the overall health and well-being of a person.
8. Water apples for diabetes
Diabetic patients can benefit from the leaf extract of rose apple plant. As per a study was done at the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, the extract, and its bioactive compounds showed insulin-like effects. In the study, it showed to enhance adipogenesis, increase in adiponectin production and revitalizes glucose uptake in the 3T3-L1 cell line. Further research is required for its medical applications and usage in the proper drug.
9. Reduced risk of strokes
Dangerous heart ailments such as inflammation, atherosclerosis, blood pressure can be effectively dealt with a regular intake of rose apples. Thanks to the abundance of vitamin C in water apples, they can lower the dangers associated with oxidative health damage and cardiac issues, specifically the risk of strokes.
10. Presence of niacin boosts HDL
Rose apples have niacin that can boost the high-density lipoproteins in the body, which is essentially the HDL or the good cholesterol. Niacin also has the added advantage of lowering triglycerides, fats in the blood that can increase the risk of heart strokes. Rose apples have a generous amount of niacin, and regular consumption can definitely improve good cholesterol levels.
11. Use as traditional medicine
Rose apples also find use in traditional medicines across the Southeast Asian countries, but due to limited research on the subject, the efficacy and safety are often questioned. It has been found to –
What is a Rose Apple?
Native to tropical lands, like the ones in Southeast Asia, water apple spread over most of the world as an ornamental plant. It is quite an invasive species and is technically referred to as Syzygium Jambos. It easily spreads across lands and takes over the local flora cultivations. Known by many names, rose apples or water apples or bell fruits find themselves most commonly known as Jambu, which rhymes with the Indian name of plum, jamun.
The French call the water apple as Jambosier D’eau or Pomme D’eau; the Japanese call it Mizu Renbu and in Spanish it is Manzana De Agua. The Southeast Asian names of rose apples are Machomphu-Pa in Thai, and Jambu Chili or Jambu Ayer in Malaysia.
Though rose apples do resemble guava, they are structurally and biologically different. The texture, flavor, and odor of rose apples are different from that of guavas. Moreover, water apples have one or two seeds, while guavas have numerous tiny seeds.
Much like guavas and apples, rose apples can be eaten raw. The bell-shaped brightly colored fruit can also be made into many dishes and desserts.
Nutritional Value of Rose Apples
Renowned for its rich amount of iron, calcium, proteins and vitamin A, a 100 gm has the following nutritional composition:
- Calories – 25
- Water – 93 gm
- Protein – 0.6 gm
- Carbohydrates – 5.7 gm
- Dietary fiber – 1.5 gm
- Calcium – 29 mg
- Potassium – 123 mg
- Sulphur 13 mg
- Magnesium – 5 mg
- Phosphorus – 8 mg
- Iron – 0.07 mg
- Vitamin A – 339.00 IU
- Vitamin C – 22.3 mg
Health Benefits of Rose Apple or Water Apple
Rose apples have been used in traditional medicine by people across the world. The fruit and its bark are also used for various medicinal purposes in the sub-Saharan African regions. Ayurveda too finds the use of rose apples and is used for a lot of preparations. Let us discuss the various health benefits of water apples.
1. Boost the Immune System
The high content of vitamin C in rose apples can help your immune system to perform effectively and efficiently against foreign pathogens. As per Research, the fruit has active and volatile components that have antimicrobial and anti-fungal effects. The skin can especially benefit from these compounds, making it healthy and glowing.
2. Fights free radicals repairs the damage
Water apple leaves have antioxidants and hence prevent free radicals from oxidizing the cells and thus causing damage to the body. Free radicals can cause many serious diseases and it is necessary to have food rich in antioxidants to restrict molecular oxidation. Both the leaves and the bark of the rose apple tree have some antioxidant properties but further research is required in this regard.
3. Good for LDL cholesterol
The ‘bad cholesterol’ or low-density lipoprotein can lead to a buildup of fatty, waxy deposits in your arteries and puts your heart at risk. Cardiovascular complications associated with high levels of LDL cholesterol include strokes and coronary heart diseases. However, the nutrients and fiber in rose apples have the ability to affect the bad cholesterol positively, boosting heart health and overall wellbeing.
4. Helps in constipation
Given our fast-paced lifestyle and poor food choices and habits, constipation is a major problem battled by many of us. A survey by Times of India concluded that over 14% of people in urban India suffer from chronic constipation. Including the amazing water apple as a part of your daily diet regime can provide necessary fiber required to have smooth bowel movements. The digestive health subsequently gets a boost as well.
5. Beneficial for skin
Skin is the biggest organ of our body. Rose apples have anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat skin conditions such as acne vulgaris. Skin infections can also be treated by leaves of rose apple plant. Rose apples are also believed to have preventive actions on skin infections. Anti-oxidants in rose apples to help in maintaining optimal skin health by reducing the damage caused by stress, pollution, and poor diet. Eating water apples regularly can give you soft and supple skin, and get rid of wrinkles.
In a study for water jambu leaves, it was found to have rich cosmeceutical properties. The leaf extract was found to be rich in phenolic compounds that are protective against free radicals. Further research could make it one of the important ingredient in the skin care cosmetic products.
6. Prevents muscle cramps
The condition of hypokalemia is caused due to low levels of potassium in the body – which forms an important electrolyte for nerve and cell functioning. The levels of potassium in the body are controlled by the kidneys, but some potassium-wasting agents can cause more potassium to get lost through urine. Rose apples are abundant in potassium and regular intake can strengthen the muscles, thus preventing muscular cramps.
7. Rose apples reduce toxins
Given the diuretic properties of rose apples, they are traditionally used in many decoctions to clear liver and kidney toxins effectively. Toxic chemicals in the body can lead to serious health issues like heart diseases, cancer, and arthritis. Water apples can remove toxic substances from the body, thus boosting the overall health and well-being of a person.
8. Water apples for diabetes
Diabetic patients can benefit from the leaf extract of rose apple plant. As per a study was done at the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, the extract, and its bioactive compounds showed insulin-like effects. In the study, it showed to enhance adipogenesis, increase in adiponectin production and revitalizes glucose uptake in the 3T3-L1 cell line. Further research is required for its medical applications and usage in the proper drug.
9. Reduced risk of strokes
Dangerous heart ailments such as inflammation, atherosclerosis, blood pressure can be effectively dealt with a regular intake of rose apples. Thanks to the abundance of vitamin C in water apples, they can lower the dangers associated with oxidative health damage and cardiac issues, specifically the risk of strokes.
10. Presence of niacin boosts HDL
Rose apples have niacin that can boost the high-density lipoproteins in the body, which is essentially the HDL or the good cholesterol. Niacin also has the added advantage of lowering triglycerides, fats in the blood that can increase the risk of heart strokes. Rose apples have a generous amount of niacin, and regular consumption can definitely improve good cholesterol levels.
11. Use as traditional medicine
Rose apples also find use in traditional medicines across the Southeast Asian countries, but due to limited research on the subject, the efficacy and safety are often questioned. It has been found to –
- Treat thrush with a decoction of rose apple bark in Malaysia
- Enhance liver and brain functions in India
- Reduce pain when the seeds are consumed, according to folklore medicine in Colombia
- Treat epilepsy in Cuban traditional medicine
- Leaves of rose apples contain tannins, and natives of some countries use it to treat dysentery and diarrhea, among other diseases.
How can I include rose apples in my diet?
Rose apples can be eaten raw as normal apples. Decoctions with the fruit are also made, and they are also made into jams and jellies. Rose apples can are used in culinary preparations across the world. In fact, it is served as a sweet treat in some cultures in India after the birth of a baby in a family.
Side effects of Rose Apples
The seeds, leaves, and roots of rose apples are known to possess mysterious amounts of cyanide or prussic acid or hydrocyanic acid that could be fatal for humans. Excessive consumption beyond the skin and flesh of the fruit is not advisable. Always consult a medical practitioner if you have any doubts.
