Snake fruit is scientifically known as Salacca zalacca and is commonly known as Salak in Indonesia. It belongs to the palm tree family. It is a juicy crunchy fruit with a sweet and sour taste. The fruit aroma is similar to durian fruit. How to eat the snake fruit? To eat it remove the outer rind which is like snake skin then enjoy the white-colored sweeter fruit cloves. Remove the seeds from inside they are inedible.
Salak
Summary
Snake Fruit Improves Memory, Eye Vision, And Cognitive Functions. It Stimulates Hair Growth, Good For Skin And Heart Health. Rich Sources Of Antioxidants Boost Immunity And Control Diabetes & Blood Pressure.
Snake Fruit Nutrition
Snake Fruit Nutrition Values Per 100 Grams Are As Follows;
Snake Fruit Contains 57 Calories Per 100 Gram Of Edible Amount.
- Carbs 0.5 Gram
- Fats 0.45 Gram
- Sugar 4.5 Gram
- Cholesterol 0 Gram
- Fiber 0.34 Gram
- Protein 0.86 Gram
Snake Fruit Vitamins and Minerals content
Snake fruit vitamins and mineral value per 100 gram are as follows;
- Vitamin B2, 0.3 mg
- Vitamin C, 8.5 mg
- Calcium, 38.3 mg
- Iron, 3.8 mg
- Phosphorus, 18.2 mg
1. High Amount Of Antioxidants
The snake fruit contains a high amount of antioxidants and phenolic compounds. The antioxidants present in fruits are natural compounds that prevent cell damage. They fight off free radicals & invaders and protect them against their harm. Their presence makes our defense system strong protected from various infections. They reduce the risk of certain diseases like cancer and heart diseases.
2. Good Source Of Protein
Salak is categorized as a protein-rich fruit as it has a higher content of protein. Proteins help build muscles and new cells and tissues. Proteins help rejuvenate the skin and prevent skin sagging. Excluding water, the human body is made up of proteins. They protect the organs from immune damage. Muscle regeneration can be done by consuming protein-rich foods.
3. For Skin
It proves beneficial to attain healthy skin. The antioxidants neutralize the free radicals and prevent skin from their damaged. The vitamin C content helps remove blemishes, dark spots, and acne scars. They fade away spotting and make skin tone fairer and glowing. It rejuvenates the skin and gives skin a new life.
4. For Pregnancy
Snake fruit can be taken during pregnancy to gain certain nutrients and minerals. Their fibrous content improves digestive tract activity and reduces the risk of constipation. Salak contains iron which is beneficial for fulfilling the blood requirement and preventing deficiency of blood. Iron helps reduce weakness and fatigue during pregnancy. All these nutrients are helpful for better development & growth of the fetus.
5. For Hair Growth
Salak is rich in nutrients that nourish the hair and promote hair growth. The vitamin C content helps remove bacteria from the scalp and make them clearer and reduce sebum production. They make hairs long and strong. It promotes blood circulation to the follicles and enhances hair growth. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) present in salak play a crucial role in hair growth. The deficiency of vitamin B2 causes major hair loss.
6. Snake Fruit For Heart (Cardiovascular) Health
The intake of salak maintains cardiovascular health and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The antioxidants and minerals like potassium make the cardiovascular system work properly and control the water regulation in the body. Potassium makes the heart muscles strong and triggers the heart to push blood to the body. The calcium content of salak plays a crucial role in proper heart functioning. The blood calcium protects the heart from coronary heart diseases.
7. Boosts Memory
Salak is also known as Memory Fruit supports brain function and improves memory. It is a memory booster fruit. Salak holds beta-carotene, potassium, pectin, and iron all these minerals play a potent role in brain health. Beta-carotene a naturally powerful antioxidant reduces the risk of mental decline and prevents dementia (loss f memory) or Alzheimer’s disease. The potassium minerals are necessary for the nervous system and it links the brain cells with each other.
8. Improves Cognitive Functions
Because of its unique minerals, content salak is a brain booster memory fruit. It carries potassium, phosphorous, and beta-carotene which stabilizes cognitive functions. Cognitive functions refer to brain abilities and include mental processes like attention, decision, manipulation, learning, reasoning, language abilities, and decision making. Potassium supports these cognitive functions and helps in connecting brain cells.
9. Improves Digestion
Salak fiber-rich fruit supports digestive tract activity and stimulates bowel movement. The dietary fibers fasten the metabolism and help in the digestion of food. Fibers improve the growth of good gut bacteria which prevent us from various digestive disorders. The fibers act as fuel for colon cells to keep healthy.
10. For Constipation & Diarrhea
In case of constipation salak fibrous content improves intestinal wall movement. They increase the weight of the stool and make stool soften. The bulky stool easily passes out from the digestive tract and prevents constipation.
Salak contains fibers in much amount which absorbs the extra water from the stool, making it bulky or more solid. The bulky stool easily passes out from the body preventing dehydration and diarrhea.
11. For Weight Loss
It is low in calories, has zero fat, and has zero cholesterol. Salak is a good choice for people who are on diet and struggling to lose weight. Snake fruit tea helps reduce body weight and it acts as an astringent. The fibers speed up the metabolism and digestion of food. The fibrous content absorbs the fat molecules thus preventing you from being fatty. Also, fiber-rich food controls the appetite making the feeling fuller. It prevents you from overeating.
12. For Diabetes
Salak is beneficial in lowering the blood glucose level. Salak fruit tea helps in rejuvenating the pancreas that controls diabetes. Salak holds pterostilbene which acts as a blood glucose lowering agent. So frequent intake of Salak controls the diabetic’s conditions. The potassium content of snake fruit increases insulin production and reduces the risk of getting diabetes. Phosphorous content is also helpful in maintaining normal insulin levels in the body.
13. For Eye Health
Salak contains a high amount of beta-carotene which makes this fruit a good replacement for all the supplements taken for good eye health. Beta-carotene is a carotenoid that supports eye health and prevents eye diseases. Beta-carotene is a precursor of vitamin A which enhances eye vision and reduces the risk of colorblindness. It also decreases the risk of age-related macular degeneration (eye disorder). Vitamin A plays a crucial role in eye vision and delaying myopia occurrence in youth.
14. Snake Fruit For High Blood Pressure
Frequent intake of salak fruit helps in maintaining normal blood pressure. The potassium content of salak is well known for lowering high blood pressure. Potassium minerals act as a vasodilator and decrease the tension in arteries, making their walls relax and control normal blood flow. Salak is also helpful in decreasing cholesterol level which in turn reduce the risk of getting a stroke.
15. For Cholesterol
Salak fruit contains a high quantity of antioxidants and bioactive compounds that affect positively on plasma lipid profile. The plasma lipid profile includes the parameters for HDL (good cholesterol) and LDL (bad cholesterol). The potassium content drops the LDL (bad cholesterol) and prevents the hardening of arteries. Fibers present in salak also reduce the cholesterol level as they absorb the fat molecules thus preventing fat deposition in the blood vessels.
16. Snake Fruit For Bones Density
Salak strengthens the bones, increases density, and maintains their integrity due to its high mineral content. It accommodates calcium, phosphorous, potassium, and iron all play important roles in bone health.
Calcium is necessary to build healthy and strong bones. It gives strength to the bones because 90% of calcium is stored in the bones and is helpful in bone remodeling. The deficiency of calcium leads to bone porosity and causes osteoporosis (a condition in which bones become porous and weak).
Potassium impacts positively on bone health and increases bone density. Potassium salt neutralizes the bone-depleting acids and prevents calcium loss. Potassium intake is necessary for postmenopausal women as it reduces the risk of osteoporosis.
Phosphorous is also an important bone mineral to maintain bone health and integrity. Like calcium, about 85% phosphorous is stored in bones to make them strong.
17. For Teeth
Salak makes teeth strong because of its high mineral content. Phosphorus and calcium are present abundantly in salak. Phosphorous content makes the teeth strong. Phosphorus combines with calcium and makes crystalline calcium phosphate which protects the teeth and prevents them from being porous. Calcium deficiency leads to various dental problems like tooth decay, brittle teeth, etc.
18. Prevents Infections
Salak is a rich source of vitamin C which is a key element of the immune system. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant and combats free radicals from the body thus increasing the immunity of the body. Vitamin C stimulates the production of white blood cells which fight off various viruses and bacteria and reduce the risk of getting infections.
19. Snake Fruit Oil Benefits
Snake fruit oil has many benefits as follows;
- It is used to treat arthritis.
- Support skin health
- This oil may relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
- Make our immune system strong.
- Salak fruit oil makes hair strong and gives them strength.
- Removes skin irritation and acne scars.
- Clears hair dandruff and scalp eczema.
- Give strength to body joints.
- Relieves muscle pain.
- Prevent hair loss and baldness.
Side Effects Of Snake Fruit
- Overconsumption of snake fruit makes it hard to digest because of its high fiber content.
- It is not suitable for people suffering from thyroid.
FAQ
The best time to consume salak is at breakfast or in the afternoon.
Salak is sweet edible nutritious fruit only seeds are inedible and poisonous
Snake fruit can be eaten raw or added to various recipes.
Because its outer peel is scaly and similar to snake outer skin.