Inca gold was well hidden! 😄
What is lucuma?
Lucuma is a fruit native to the Andes with:
- A round or oval in shape.
- A green to brown skin.
- A yellow-orange flesh.
It grows on the pouteria lucuma tree, which lives between 600 and 2000 meters above sea level.
The Incas considered this fruit sacred for its many medicinal virtues.
Composition
This superfruit is packed with nutrients:
- Beta-carotene.
- Vitamins A, B2, B3, B5 and C.
- Calcium.
- Iron.
- Phosphorus.
- Polyphenols.
- Zeaxanthin.
- Zinc.
- Omega-6.
How to eat it?
Lucuma can be eaten ripe.
Or the dried pulp yields a beige flour that keeps well.
In Peru, it is used in cooking, as an ingredient in :
- Ice cream.
- Pastries.
- Drinks.
- Milkshakes.
- Jams.
This natural sweetener can be used to replace cane sugar.
Benefits
This fruit is particularly appreciated by the eyes and the heart.
Medicinal properties
Lucumas have traditionally been used for the following properties:
- Antioxidant.
- Regenerative.
- Anti-inflammatory.
- Diuretic.
- Antiviral.
- Expectorant.
- Anxiolytic.
- Digestive.
Their benefits combine particularly well with those of goji berries and cashew nuts.
For which diseases?
This superfood has shown promising results in cases of :
- Keratoconus.
- Crohn’s disease.
- Insomnia.
- Lupus.
- Keratitis.
- Hypercholesterolemia.
- Psoriasis.
- Hypertension.
- Acne.
- Tiredness.
- Parkinson’s disease.
- Blindness.
- Type 2 diabetes.
The antioxidants present in lucuma protect the body from free radicals, particularly neurons and skin cells.
Emotions
While this tropical fruit is prized for its curative virtues, on its own it’s no cure.
It is helpful to combine intuitive eating with emotional introspection.
In this way, I stimulate my body’s self-healing process.
I discover how to deal with my emotions.
Conclusion
What are the medicinal benefits of lucuma?
Not only is this food tasty, it also provides substantial support for cells to regenerate and prevent oxidative stress.
It benefits from regular use as part of a balanced diet.