UDARA

BY OBOBI NNENNE KALU

HERE'S WHAT YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT AFRICAN STAR APPLE.

Did you know its proper English name is African Star Apple? It is also called White Star Apple.
Local Name: Agbalumo (Yoruba language) or Udara (Igbo language)
Botanical Name: Chrysophyllum albidum.

The Chrysophyllum genus of plants consists of almost 80 different species of fruits all exclusively grown within the tropical region. African star apple (Udara) is a very popular fruit here in Nigeria. Its fleshy pulp is often eaten as a snack and it is equally common in both the urban and rural areas, particularly around Southern Nigeria. Being a seasonal fruit (produces during the dry season between December and April), it is currently in peak abundance flooding the market places and street walkways at about this time of the year. 

Now, allow me introduce you to some really good news about the nutritious load of Udara/Agbalumo goodness!

HEALTH BENEFITS OF UDARA/AGBALUMO (African Star Apple)- 

As with most fruits, it has low calorie because of its little fat content so it is definitely a healthy food.- It is a superb snack because its high fibre content provides food bulk which both increases satiety and aids digestion so it is very ideal for weight watchers.- It has a surprisingly decent amount of Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C). Clearly, Vitamin C sources are not exclusive to the citrus fruits family- in fact, Guava has much more!- Recently published researches done here in Nigeria about Udara/Agbalumo leaves carried out on rats showed two possible medicinal uses:- It could serve as a natural source of Anti-Oxidant booster to remove free radicals from oxidative stress disorders, and- Its leaf extract contains Hypoglycemic (to treat Diabetes) and Anti-Platelet activities, although it also had toxic effects on some organs.