The Ackee fruit is among the most dangerous fruits on earth. Much of the fruit is toxic but when harvested and prepared properly, it can be very beneficial to your health in numerous ways.
The Ackee fruit which grow on the tree’s branches have a red skin and when opened, it exposes three big black seeds. The only part of the fruit that is edible are the fleshy, yellow portions attached to each seed. The remainder of the the fruit contains harmful toxins which can cause severe side effects that can even prove fatal…
ACKEE FRUIT AND IT’S HEALTH BENEFIT
Ackee fruit is an excellent source of dietary fiber which can improve your digestive health in a number of ways.
The fiber contained by the fruit helps to regulate bowel movement by adding more bulk to the stools which helps improve the movement of waste through your system.
Adding more fiber to your diet can also help reduce the risk of various other common digestive issues as gas, bloating, indigestion and constipation.
Ackee fruit like many other healthy natural produce can improve the circulation of blood around your body.
The fruit is great source of iron which plays many roles in the human body including the delivery of oxygen around the body.
As well as being rich in iron, ackee is a great source of another important mineral potassium. Potassium is a vasodilator meaning that it helps open up the blood vessels allowing blood to flow more freely. This takes a great deal away from the heart and allows it to work less hard.
SOME PRECAUTIONS
Ackee contains a harmful toxin known as Hypoglycin A, the fruit was banned for a number of years from several countries including the USA.
When this toxin is eaten, it can lead to some very unfortunate side effects. They include nausea and vomiting, muscular fatigue and drowsiness. Unfortunately there are also more severe side effects including coma and even death. This toxin is found in the unripe ackee fruit which is harvested earlier than usual. It is found in many parts of the fruit including the seeds, the aril and the rind. When these parts of the fruit find their way into the produced, the fruit is contaminated. However ackee harvested at the appropriate time has a much lower level of toxicity and is considered safe to consume.
