Byrsonima crassifolia/Nance fruit is a berry of small ball-shaped having a diameter of about 1-2 cm. The fruits usually grow in a cluster that turns yellow or orange when ripened. The fruits have sour or sweet or flavor. It has a peculiar odor and unpleasant taste. The pulp is juicy, white with thin skin. The fruit contains two or three seeds. The bark is used for medicinal purposes to treat rashes, diarrhea, pulmonary diseases, and wound. Jams, jellies, and carbonated beverages are prepared from the fruits.

Nance fruit is a slow-growing tree native to Tropical America. It is primarily cultivated in Peru, Southern Mexico, the Pacific side of Central America, Guadeloupe, Barbados, Brazil, St. Martin, Cuba, Haiti, Trinidad, Curacao, Isle of Pines, Puerto Rico, Dominica and The Dominican Republic. It belongs to the acerola family of Malpighiaceae.

It is suitable for tropical and subtropical climates. The tree bears yellow to dull orange or red flowers from spring to fall and fruits in August and September. The white and juicy flesh of yellow fruit has a pungent and distinct flavor. Cao cimun, Golden-spoon, Craboo, Maurissi, Maricao cimun, Murici, Indano, Chaparro, Peraleja, Nance, Changunga, Yoco, Nanche, Muruçi, Kraabu, Chacunga, Savanna serrette are the common names of nance fruit. It attracts butterflies, bees, and birds.

Plant

Byrsonima crassifolia is a slow-growing, large shrub or tree which grows up to 33 feet high. The leaves are opposite, ovate-elliptic or oblong-elliptic; 3.2-17 cm long and 4-7 cm wide. The flowers are 10-20 cm long and 1.25-2 cm wide; yellow or dull orange, red with five petals. Fruit is small ball-shaped, round, ovate to globose; 8-12 cm wide and 0.8-1.5 cm in diameter. The fruit has white and juicy flesh, pungent, distinct aroma, and thin skin. The fruit includes 1 to 3 white seeds which is 0.5-1.2 cm in diameter. The tree has dark brown, fissured, and rough bark. The inner bark is pinkish. It has a tall or short and a straight or crooked trunk.

Nutritional value

The serving size of 112 grams of Nance fruit grants 90.32 g of water, 82 calories, 0.74 g of protein, 1.3 g of fat, 0.64 g of ash, 19.01 g of carbohydrate, 8.4 g of dietary fiber, 9.31 g of total sugars, 4.01 g of glucose and 5.3 g of fructose. It offers 115.11% of Vitamin C, 12.09% of manganese, 11.08% of Vitamin K, 9.33% of Vitamin E, 5.81% of potassium, 5.38% of iron, 5.24% of magnesium, 5.20% of calcium, and 5.11% of copper.

Health Benefits of Nance fruit

The fruits of the Nance tree have a single large stone that contains about 2 to 3 seeds. Nance is loaded with minerals and vitamins such as Vitamin K, Vitamin C, thiamine, Vitamin E, riboflavin, pathogenic acid, niacin, folate, and manganese. The fruit is an excellent source of soluble dietary fiber, protein, iron, fat, carotene, and phosphorus. This provides enormous health benefits to humans. It helps to prevent memory loss, hair fall, and wrinkles. It also reduces the risk of dementia and depression. It enhances the formation of antibodies and red blood cells in the body. The leaves are used to make the tea leaves. It possesses antioxidants that help to eliminate harmful agents as it enhances the immune system. Some health benefits of Nance fruit have been discovered which is discussed below:

1. Lead toxicity

The children of urban areas mostly suffer from lead toxicity which is a serious health problem. Those children who are bare to lead have abnormal growth and development. It also leads to learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and low IQ. It may injure the kidneys and raise blood pressure. The intake of Vitamin C supplements helps to lower the level of blood lead.

2. Treats cancer

The high intake of fruits and vegetables is associated with the reduction in the chances of various types of cancer. The studies show that the increased intake of Vitamin C helps to reduce the risk of mouth, lungs, colon, throat, stomach, rectum, and esophagus cancer.

3. Prevent heart problems

The research shows that there is a negative relationship between the intake of insoluble fiber and diastolic and systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, and cholesterol level. Additionally, soluble fiber reduces bad cholesterol by obstructing dietary cholesterol absorption. The increased intake of diet rich in fiber helps to lower the chances of heart disease, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome.

4. Treats diabetes

Soluble fiber assists to slow digestion and stabilizing the level of blood sugar. This enhances the sensitivity of insulin and controls the spikes of blood sugar and conditions such as diabetes. The studies show that the dietary fiber and glucose level have an inverse relationship so the high fiber helps to prevent the resistance of insulin that is formed due to the elevated level of glucose.

5. Reduce sprain and inflammation

Manganese is an aid for inflammation and sprains. It helps to increase the superoxide dismutase level which is due to the antioxidant properties found in this mineral. The arthritis patients have a low level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) which possesses anti-inflammatory properties that are required for them. The addition of manganese helps to raise the synthesis and SOD function which also reduces its symptoms. (1)

6. Maintains sugar level

Manganese helps to control the sugar level found in the human blood. This helps to prevent the chances of diabetes. Manganese maintains the normal secretion and synthesis of insulin, as well as the uncertain drops in the blood sugar, could be regulated. This provides a normal life for diabetic patients. (2)

7. Clot blood

Vitamin K helps to clot the blood due to its role in the amalgamation of prothrombin. The blood clot includes the set of molecules which continuously circulate over the bloodstream. Protein Z enhances the thrombin activities in order to enhance the relationship with phospholipids present in the cell membranes. It helps to improve myelodysplastic syndromes.

8. Reduce bleeding

Vitamin K helps to lower the liver bleeding, jaundice, and absorption of the poor nutrients. The problems related to the gastrointestinal system due to the low presence of Vitamin K are sprue, obstructions, colitis, and Crohn’s disease.

9. Repair skin

Vitamin E enhances the walls of skin capillaries, elasticity, and moisture. It acts as an anti-aging nutrient in the body. Vitamin E lowers inflammation in the body, skin by maintaining youthful skin. The antioxidant properties protect the skin from ultraviolet rays, cigarette smoke, and cancer. The intake of Vitamin C with Vitamin E helps to eliminate skin inflammation and reduces the signs of eczema and acne. It speeds up the healing process and regeneration of cells.

10. Assist vision

Vitamin E lowers the chances of age-related disease, macular degeneration which could result in blindness. Vitamin E is beneficial for vision. The adequate intake of beta carotene, vitamin C, and zinc is essential. The high intake of Vitamin A and Vitamin E helps to enhance the healing and vision in people who are undergoing laser eye surgery.

Traditional uses

• The plant helps to cure pulmonary diseases, rashes, wounds, and diarrhea.
• The intake of a cup of leaf tea three times a day helps to cure the aching bones, anemia, fatigue, and rheumatism.
• The bark is used to treat diarrhea.
• This fruit helps to reduce cholesterol and fats which also prevents constipation.
• It helps to treat skin wrinkles, hair fall, and memory loss.
• The Mixe Indians of Mexico use the bark to cure gastrointestinal disorders and skin infections.
• The infusion made from the bark is useful for diarrhea and enhances menstruation.
• It is effective for pulmonary complaints, indigestion, leucorrhea, and gum disease.
• It is used as an antidote for snakebite in Belize.
• The bark is used in Guyana as a poultice for wounds.
• Mexicans use the pulverized bark for ulcers.
• The bark is also used to hide tans, poison fish, treat gastrointestinal, pulmonary diseases as well as skin infections.
• The roots are used as a treatment for illnesses.
• Roots and stems are believed to possess antibacterial properties.
• In Mexico, it is used medicinally to firm up loose teeth.
• It possesses an antidote, astringent, anti-inflammatory, febrifuge, emmenagogue, and purgative activities.
• The external use of bark as a poultice or wash is helpful for skin infections, wounds, ulcers, etc.
• The leaves infusion is helpful for high blood pressure.
• The leaves wash is used to clean and ease ulcers.
• The sap of leaves and bark is used to cure gonorrhea.
• In Central America, the tea made from the leaves is used to eradicate stress, rheumatism, anemia, aching bones, and fatigue.

How to Eat

• It is also preserved in a bottle for future use.
• It is used to prepare carbonated beverages, jellies, jams, and is also used as meat stuffing.
• Fruits are consumed raw, cooked as dessert, and added to soups.
• The fruit is used as an ingredient in sherbets and jellies.
• In Mexico, Nance is cooked with olives and rice.
• In Panama, fruit is used with flour and sugar to make posada de nance.
• In Brazil and Mexico, Nance is used to making juice and ice cream due to its mild sour and sweet taste.
• In Nicaragua, it is a vital ingredient for the dessert named raspados.

Precautions

• Those who are allergic to Nance fruit should not consume or use it.
• Excessive consumption should be avoided.

References

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