Pouteria sapota – Health Benefits, Nutritional Value

Pouteria sapota/Mamey sapote (also called sapuyul oil) is a tropical evergreen tree native to Mexico and Central America. Its fruit is oval-shaped, similar to a football, and is 3-8 inches in length. Its skin is thick, woody, and brown in color, and its flesh has an orange-reddish tint. Mamey Sapote oil has a pleasant cherry-almond-like scent. This oil is rich in vitamins A, B, C, and E, proteins, amino acids, fatty acids, and minerals. It serves as a great moisturizer for dry skin and is known as a hair revitalizer. Mamey Sapote oil gives “baby” smooth skin and clears uneven skin tone. The Mamey Seed Oil can be extracted from the ripened fruit. This oil has been found to be beneficial for the skin and scalp.

In 1970 Clinical Tests at the University of California at Los Angeles confirmed that this oil is effective in controlling hair loss caused by seborrheic dermatitis. Applying a little Mamey Seed Oil to the scalp in the morning, helps in nourishing your hair from the root to help it look healthier. Mamey Seed Oil can also be used prior to a shower. Rub the oil all over the scalp and leave it on for about 15 minutes. Shampoo as usual. This helps strengthen and promote healthy hair growth from the roots. The oil is particularly useful for naturally curly hair that can become dry from over styling. We highly recommend this oil for curly hair; Try using it instead of mousse. Apply to damp hair and allow hair to air dry. Also, try using it as hot oil treatment, conditioner, and detangler (especially for oily hair). Sapote restores the health of natural or chemically relaxed hair while improving manageability leaving your hair soft and luxurious.

Sapote oil uses Quick Facts
Name: Sapote oil uses
Scientific Name: Pouteria sapota
Origin Native to South America
Colors Clear-Pale pink or Orange
Taste Pleasant, mild
Health benefits Relief from dandruff, Manages hair, Moisturizes skin, Treat dermatitis, Skin problems

Sapote oil is extracted by mechanical pressing the dry kernel of the fruit Sapote which belongs to the same family of Argan. . This fruit does well in Southern Mexico, Central America, and Guatemala of tropical America. Other common names for Sapote fruit are mammee, mamee sapote, lavazapote, mamey colorado, mamee zapote, mamey rojo,  mamey sapote, mammee apple, marmalade plum, sapota, red sapote, marmalade fruit, zapote, zapote mamey, zapote colorado, chicle, chiku, naseberry and sapodilla. It comprises sterols such as 7 stigmasterol and ß-sitosterol. It has disinfectant properties that protect the wound from infection. This oil is rich in Vitamins, and light and is non-greasy that helps to balance the production of sebum. It lowers skin flaking as well as patches It is also used to treat ear and eye ailments. The seed oil could be used as a poultice for painful skin problems.

Sapote oil facts

Name Sapote oil uses
Scientific Name Pouteria sapota
Native Native to South America
Sapote is believed to have originated from Belize and Mexico of rain forests of Central America. Currently, it is widely cultivated in the tropical belt and is produced commercially in Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Common/English names Sapuyul oil, sapayulo oil
Common Name of Sapote mammee, mamee sapote, lavazapote, mamey colorado, mamee zapote, mamey rojo,  mamey sapote, mammee apple, marmalade plum, sapota, red sapote, marmalade fruit, zapote, zapote mamey, zapote colorado, chicle, chiku, naseberry, sapodilla
Name in Other Languages Creole: otier jaune d’oeuf, grand sapotillier;
French: grand sapotillier, sapotier jaune d’oeuf;
Malay: chicomamey, chico-mamei,;
Portuguese: mamey mamey de la tierra, zapote de carne;
Spanish: mamey sapote, mamey rojo, sapote, mamey Colorado;
Extraction method Cold pressed
Color Clear-Pale pink or Orange
Scent Sweet, fruity
Flavor/aroma Pleasant
Taste Pleasant, mild
Texture Light

History

Sapote is native to South America. Sapote is believed to have originated from Belize and Mexico of the rain forests of Central America. Currently, it is widely cultivated in the tropical belt and is produced commercially in Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Nutrition Facts

Sapote, mamey, raw
Serving Size : 
Nutrient Value
Water [g] 64.87
Energy 124
Energy [kJ] 520
Protein [g] 1.45
Total lipid (fat) [g] 0.46
Ash [g] 1.12
Carbohydrate, by difference [g] 32.1
Fiber, total dietary [g] 5.4
Sugars, total including NLEA [g] 20.14
Sucrose [g] 4.09
Glucose (dextrose) [g] 8.01
Fructose [g] 7.66
Maltose [g] 0.38
Starch [g] 6.33
Calcium, Ca [mg] 18
Iron, Fe [mg] 0.78
Magnesium, Mg [mg] 11
Phosphorus, P [mg] 26
Potassium, K [mg] 454
Sodium, Na [mg] 7
Zinc, Zn [mg] 0.19
Copper, Cu [mg] 0.21
Manganese, Mn [mg] 0.2
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid [mg] 23
Thiamin [mg] 0.01
Riboflavin [mg] 0.12
Niacin [mg] 1.43
Pantothenic acid [mg] 0.4
Vitamin B-6 [mg] 0.72
Folate, total [µg] 7
Folate, food [µg] 7
Vitamin A, RAE [µg] 7
Carotene, beta [µg] 82
Cryptoxanthin, beta [µg] 7
Vitamin A, IU [IU] 143
Lycopene [µg] 199
Lutein + zeaxanthin [µg] 204
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) [mg] 2.11
Tocotrienol, alpha [mg] 0.36
Fatty acids, total saturated [g] 0.17
10:0 [g] 0.02
12:0 [g] 0.01
14:0 [g] 0.01
15:0 [g] 0
16:0 [g] 0.1
17:0 [g] 0
18:0 [g] 0.02
20:0 [g] 0
Fatty acids, total monounsaturated [g] 0.1
14:1 [g] 0
16:1 [g] 0
16:1 c [g] 0
18:1 [g] 0.1
18:1 c [g] 0.1
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated [g] 0.1
18:2 [g] 0.01
18:2 n-6 c,c [g] 0.01
18:3 [g] 0.08
18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) [g] 0.08
20:4 [g] 0
Tryptophan [g] 0.05
Threonine [g] 0.09
Isoleucine [g] 0.06
Leucine [g] 0.07
Lysine [g] 0.07
Methionine [g] 0.02
Cystine [g] 0.01
Phenylalanine [g] 0.06
Tyrosine [g] 0.05
Valine [g] 0.07
Arginine [g] 0.05
Histidine [g] 0.05
Alanine [g] 0.07
Aspartic acid [g] 0.15
Glutamic acid [g] 0.15
Glycine [g] 0.07
Proline [g] 0.09
Serine [g] 0.2
Sources include: USDA [3]
You Might Also Read  Velvet Apple - Nutritional Value, Health Benefits

Health Benefits of Sapodilla

Pouteria sapota

Provides Ample Energy

Sapodilla is a calorie-dense fruit made up of simple digestible sugars like fructose and sucrose. Being a natural source of sugar, consuming sapota can instantly replenish energy levels and serves as a great snack option during intense sports activities or exercise. Furthermore, sapodilla is the best choice of fruit for children and pregnant women to meet their increasing demand for energy and uplifts overall health.

Promotes Digestion

The presence of natural plant compound tannins in sapota helps to neutralize acid secretion in the intestinal tract. While the high volume of dietary fibers adds bulk to the stool, regularizes bowel movement, treats constipation, and cures all other digestive problems. Apart from this, potent antiparasitic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial characteristics of sapodilla can calm the irritated gastrointestinal tract and treat gastritis.

Strengthens Immune System

Bestowed with vast reserves of vitamins A, C, polyphenol and antioxidant compounds sapota holds a remarkable role in building a robust immune system, combating detrimental toxins, and lowering the risk of diseases. Moreover, adding sapodilla as a part of a healthy diet safeguards the system from harmful microbes and treats seasonal colds and coughs.

Combats stress

Stress has become one of the common issues that take a toll on your health. This could be greatly managed by having wholesome foods. Sapodilla is one such food heaped with essential nutrients particularly vitamin C that uplifts weakened immune systems and enhances total well-being. Furthermore, being a natural sedative it soothes the nervous system and uplifts mood.

Fortifies Bones

If you are above 30 and already dealing with joint problems, then add chick on to your diet regimen. An immense quantity of minerals like calcium, phosphorus, copper, selenium, magnesium, and iron present in sapodilla aid to strengthen the bone, prevent joint pains, and also averts the risk of osteoporosis. The deficiency of copper can increase the risk of osteoporosis, the richness of copper in chickoo is important for maintaining healthy bones, connective tissue, and muscles.

Prevents Cancer

Sapodilla blessed antioxidants savageness free radicals, combats oxidative stress, prevents the formation of tumor cells, and lowers the risk of several forms of cancer. Being intrinsically rich in vitamins A and B helps in keeping the mucus lining healthy and averts the risk of lung and oral cancers. Aside from these, being a good source of natural dietary fiber supports keeping the gut healthy and shields the body from colon cancer.

Treats Anaemia

Anemia is a common health condition in women in their reproductive age caused due to the deficiency of iron. Where the body is unable to make hemoglobin the red blood cells that transport oxygen and nutrients to all the cells. Sapota loaded with iron and copper helps to improve iron levels and treats anemia.

Regulates Blood Pressure

Sapodilla is one of the preferred fruit for controlling high blood pressure. Ample amount of potassium in chickoo, a key mineral aids in lowering sodium levels, relaxes muscles, improves blood circulation, and maintains blood pressure.

Improves Vision

Sapota bestowed with a huge amount of Vitamin A holds a significant role in maintaining good vision by uplifting the health of the cornea, the outer covering of the eye. It is also a component of rhodopsin, a protein present in the eyes that helps you to see in dim light and promotes eyesight.

You Might Also Read  Vitamin B16; Deficiency Symptoms, Food Source, Health Benefit

Good For Arthritis

The goodness of copper in sapota exhibits anti-inflammatory properties that reduce stiffness and joint pain. While it also strengthens muscles, bones and repairs the connective tissue. People suffering from arthritis can improve their condition by adding sapota to their diet regimen.

Sapodilla Uses For Pregnant Women

Laden with vitamins A, C, folate, B6, and a good source of simple carbs, sapodilla is a great fruit for pregnant and lactating women that replenishes energy levels. Rich in electrolytes like potassium help to manage morning sickness and dizziness. The potent antioxidant properties of chicks fight bacterial infections, while the anti-inflammatory effect reduces inflammation in the gut.

Potent Anti-Inflammatory Agent

The goodness of tannins in sapota or chikoo works as an effective anti-inflammatory agent that aids in enhancing the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and averts the risk of diseases like enteritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and gastritis. Furthermore, it also lowers inflammation and eases swelling and pain.

Rich Source Of Antioxidants

Chikoo being a powerhouse of antioxidants plays a crucial role in scavenging free radicals and fending off oxidative stress. The essence of antioxidants like ascorbic acid, polyphenols, and flavonoids aids in delaying early signs of aging and makes the skin look nourished and youthful. While the seed oil is bestowed with hair nourishing properties that help in treating hair fall due to seborrheic dermatitis.

Uses For Healthy Skin

Sapodilla is an amazing fruit blessed with skin-friendly nutrients for improving skin health and beauty. The richness of essential vitamins A, C, and B sapota rejuvenates new skin cells and locks the skin moisture from deep within. A huge array of polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidants averts detrimental toxins from damaging healthy skin cells, fades away wrinkles, fine lines, slows down aging, and enhances skin complexion and radiance naturally.

Hair Cleansing

The oil can be used as a pre-shampoo treatment by applying it to your scalp before shampooing with a mild cleanser. This allows the active ingredients in the oil to permeate into the skin and follicles as they open up during cleansing, allowing deeper penetration of the nutrients contained within mamey seed oil.

Nails And Hair

Mamey Seed Oil for hair is also rich in Vitamins A and C, which promote healthy skin, nails and hair. It also contains Zinc and Iron that help heal damaged skin and encourage thick and fuller looking hair that has gone brittle due to breakage or over-processing.

Mamey Oil is absorbed quickly into the scalp and hair due to its lightweight, so it will not weigh down your tresses. It provides nutrients to restore lustre, shine, softness and smoothness while adding moisture content to prevent dryness or frizzing.

Hair Growth

As mentioned above, mamey seed oil for hair has fatty acids that help with stimulating growth in the hair by nourishing the scalp allowing for better absorption and retention of the follicles. The oil can be used as a hot oil treatment by adding 1/2 -1 tablespoon of the oil to your usual conditioner and leaving it on for about 30 minutes before rinsing.

When applied topically, Mamey Oil helps stimulate hair growth and retain moisture levels in the hair shaft, which makes it great for all hair types and especially wonderful for African Americans, Locs, naturalists who do not want their hair looking dry or dull. That said, mamey oil is beneficial for all hair types.

Dandruff

Mamey Oil for hair has also been found to work well against dandruff because it contains fatty acids that help reduce inflammation caused by fungal infections like seborrheic dermatitis, which is what gives us those annoying flakes we scratch off during our morning routine.

Using mamey seed oil while protective styling is one of the best ways to ensure that your hair stays moisturized during the harsh winter months. It will also help you retain length by keeping your ends strong and not brittle from a lack of moisture that can lead to breakage.

Benefits Of Mamey Oil For Soft And Supple Skin

Mamey oil for skin is an emollient that penetrates the upper layers of your skin to help keep it feeling soft, smooth, and hydrated. Because Mamey oil does not clog pores, it won’t cause you to break out like some other natural oils can (like coconut oil). Instead, when your skin drinks up all the nutrients in mamey oil, it becomes silky smooth and radiant.

You Might Also Read  Pitaya, Pitahaya - Nutritional Value, Health Benefits

Many people develop dry patches of skin on their faces during the winter months because the cold weather causes them to lose moisture so quickly. If you have tried everything else with no success, then Mamey Oil could be your skin’s new best friend.

Mamey Oil Benefits For Reducing Redness In Acne Scars

If you suffer from post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), then using mamey oil for the face can help to reduce the appearance of scarring or blemishes. For many people, mamey oil can help fade PIH marks because they also contain vitamin E and fatty acids that promote faster healing and reduce inflammation.

Also, mamey oil for the face has many anti-inflammatory properties that are also great at soothing acne scars, so they look less red and raw after they have healed. The omega-9 fatty acids in mamey oil are particularly good at reducing inflammation when they work together with vitamin E and omega 3s.

You can blend mamey oil with frankincense, myrrh, and sandalwood (all of which contain powerful anti-inflammatory properties) before applying it to the skin.

Additional Health Benefits of Sapote oil

  • It provides relief from dandruff and scalp itching.
  • It nourishes and soothes the scalp and makes the hair bright and smooth.
  • It could be used as a detangler, conditioner, and hot oil treatment.
  • It makes the hair manageable and also makes it soft as well as luxurious.
  • It maintains the elasticity of hair.
  • It smoothens and moisturizes damaged and cracked skin.
  • It is used to treat scalp conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis.
  • It lowers the chances of skin patches and flaking.
  • It also balances the production of sebum.
  • It could also be used for aromatherapy purposes.
  • It is useful for dermatitis.
  • It could be used as a poultice to treat skin ailments.

SUGGESTED USE

Massage scalp gently and apply a small amount of oil into the hair. It can also be used prior to a shower. Rub the oil all over the scalp and leave on for about 15 minutes. Shampoo as usual. Mamey seed oil helps stimulate follicles to encourage growth and helps nourish your hair from the root to help it look healthier.

How To Eat Sapota?

Wash the sandy outer skin before eating in cold running water. Fully ripened fruit can be consumed once it turns soft. Cut the fruit into halves and then scoop the flesh using a spoon and discard the seeds. Sapodilla is an enormously dominating fruit in flavor and taste, hence best enjoyed by itself. Sapodilla is a tropical pulpy fruit like mango, and the flesh can be consumed directly. Also, like any other fruit, it makes a great addition to fruit salad, milkshakes, and even ice creams and other confectionaries.

Sapota Recipes

The sweet, soft, and pulpy nature of chickoo make it a great dessert by itself. It is a humble fruit that melds well with every other fruit while making delicious smoothies and milkshakes. Moreover, it also serves as a healthy fruit to satisfy your sweet cravings.

Chickoo Halwa

Chickoo halwa is a mouth-watering dessert prepared with the goodness of fresh chick slices melded with khoya and flavored with cardamom.

Ingredients

  • 200 gms chickoo
  • 150 gms khoya
  • 5 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp powdered cardamom

Method

  • Wash, peel and remove the pulpy flesh of the chickoo and mash well.
  • In a pan add the mashed chick and cook for about 5 minutes.
  • Add sugar, blend well and cook until sugar dissolves and becomes dry.
  • Slow the flame add khoya, cardamom powder, and mix well.
  • Garnish with silver paper and serve.

Precautions   

  • Use it in moderate amounts.
  • Sensitive people might get allergic reactions.
  • Allergic people should avoid it.
  • A patch test is preferred for topical use.

From Where To Buy

or

Virgin Mamey Sapote Oil Organic (Cold Pressed/Unrefined) - 2 oz
158 Reviews
Virgin Mamey Sapote Oil Organic (Cold Pressed/Unrefined) - 2 oz
  • 100% Pure Organic, Cold Pressed, Unrefined, Undiluted. INCI (Botanical Name): Pouteria Sapota; Country of origin: Guatemala; Cultivation: Organic; Extraction Method: Cold Pressed / Unrefined; Color: Golden Beige; Scent: Similar to cherry almond; Texture: Semi-solid;

References