Today I want to talk about this wonderful fruit called Quenepa

The Quenepa comes from a tree that receives other names like papamundo, cotopri, lemoncillo, mamoncillo, maco, guayo and other appellations. It has a small fruit, with a rounded or ovoid shape, with an approximate size of 2 cms. In diameter, about the size of a grape.

photo from pinteres

We have them here on Puerto Rico and I love them very much, Its shell is hard green, opening it separates the shell from the pulp, which taste is very sweet, a soft orange-peach, gelatinous, which is eaten until the seed remains.

photo from pinteres

It could be said that when you open the shell with your teeth, the top half of the shell discard it, then squeeze your fingers the bottom so that the contents slide in your mouth, you eat the pulp until you get the seed.

The Quenepa is from South America, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana. It is also cultivated in Ecuador and much is achieved in the lowlands of Central America. Quenepa is consumed in great quantity, it is also used for drinks and to make marmalades. Because of its great benefits it brings many benefits to your health and well-being.

photo by modernmami

Properties of the Chenepa or Quenepa as known here on Puerto Rico and some parts of the USA.

Rich in vitamins A, B and C, fibers, phosphorus and calcium, iron and zinc, it also contains nutrients such as thiamine, rivoflavine and niacin. among others.

It contains antioxidants, thus contributing to eliminate toxins from the body, preventing the appearance of free radicals, which produce premature aging.

It is anti-inflammatory.

It contains tryptophan, a potent amino acid

It contains an essential amino acid called lysine that ensures that calcium is absorbed. It helps form collagen, stimulating growth hormone and producing antibodies.

Benefits of Quenepa

Anticancer

According to research carried out, the Quenepa contains properties to combat cancer, so experiments are being carried out with the fruit.

Anti-stress

The B vitamins and minerals contained in Quenepa have an anti-stress effect.

Antioxidants

It helps fight against free radicals, against the premature aging of cells, given their antioxidant properties.

Asthma

It contains resveratrol and caffeic acid to soothe asthma conditions.

Cholesterol

Helps reduce cholesterol, being a fruit high in fiber, low in fat and calories. It has a high contribution in the process of weight loss.

Diabetes

Prevents diabetes, lowers blood sugar.

Diarrhea

The liquefied seed juice is an astringent and antibacterial drink, so it is very useful in cases of infectious diarrhea.

Herpes.

Prevents herpes due to its lysine content.

Hormones

Helps regulate hormones by their source of phosphorus.

Cardiovascular health

It prevents heart and brain diseases because of its high content of antioxidants. Reduces high blood pressure, contributing to a healthy circulatory system

Digestive System / Constipation

Helps prevent constipation by its rich fiber content, helps minimize the duration of bowel movement to the colon by the amount of ferulic acid it possesses. It conserves healthy the digestive system.

.Immune system

It strengthens the immune system, preventing the proliferation of bacteria and viruses for its contribution of vitamin C.

.Osseous system

It strengthens the teeth and the bone system, by the sources of calcium it possesses.

Colds

Prevents colds and flu, given its contribution of vitamin C.

Dream

It controls insomnia by its content of tryptophan, an amino acid that becomes a special nutrient that allows you to reconcile sleep.

Other uses

The leaf of the Quenepa is baked with salt and is used for febrile processes.

The juice of the macerated leaf is used to gargle to improve the pain and infection in the throat.

The seed is also beneficial, since toasted and ground it is used to make a tea with bee honey for when you have diarrhea.

The seed liquefied with water can be used as an antibacterial and astringent drink,

If you have intestinal problems, you can use the liquid from the cooked leaf as an enema.

Quenepa is used to make jams and jellies

The indigenous of the Orinoco cook the seed of the kenepa and consume it in substitution of the cassava.

The ground seed with the pulp helps to cure the parasites of the children.

Many times because we do not know the powerful benefits of some fruit, we do not eat it or we despise it because we do not know its benefits. It is advisable to know a little more about the fruits of your region to see their privileges and potentialities and thus determine how you can make use of them for your health and yours.

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