Rambutan, micronutrient contents, fibre contents, phytonutrient contents, biological activities and nutraceutical activities

Description :   Rambutan is a nutritious fruit belongs to Sapindaceae family. It is native to Southeast Asia. In

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Rambutan is a nutritious fruit belongs to Sapindaceae family. It is native to Southeast Asia. In native language the word rambutan means hair this is why the name of the fruit is coined as the fruit contains various hairy protrusions all over. It is packed with vatious nutrients that offer numerous health benefits.

Difference between Rambutan and Lychee

Rambutan is closely related with lychee (a tropical fruit) but they are not same fruits. They differ in various ways, like –

• Size of lychee is relatively smaller than rambutan
• Rambutan has reddish outer skin and also contains yellowish green spikes all over, whereas the outer skin of lychee is also reddish in color but lychee does not contain spikes
• The peel of rambutan fruit is comparatively thicker than lychee peel
• The flesh of rambutan fruit is relatively creamier than the flesh of lychee and they also differ in taste

Nutritional profile

• It contains desirable amount of carbohydrate
• It contains fibre too
• It also contains lesser amount of proteins
• It contains negligible amount of fat and it is totally free from cholesterol
• It is rich in moisture
• It is loaded with several vitamins, which include Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, B3, B6, B9 and B12
• It also contains numerous important trace elements like calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, zinc, magnesium and iron

Biological activity

Antioxidant activity

• It exhibits strong antioxidant activity
• Its polyphenolic component and micronutrient contents are considered as the principal components that exert antioxidant activity
• Its consumption is very much useful for protecting the body from the harmful consequences of free radicals and reactive oxygen species
• It also helps to reduce the susceptibility of developing chronic diseases by decreasing oxidative stress

Anti-carcinogenic activity

• Consumption of rambutan is closely related with decreasing the prevalence of carcinoma
• Its micronutrient contents and antioxidant activity play imperative role in preventing different forms of cancers
• Rambutam peel helps in suppressing the growth of cancerous cell in body and also prevents metastasis
• It is very effective for reducing the prevalence of liver cancer

Antimicrobial activity

• It shows potent antibacterial activity that helps to inhibit the growth and reproduction of various disease causing bacteria within host
• It exerts antiseptic property as well, which helps to protect the body from various infections
• It also helps in rapid wound healing
• It has seen that consumption of rambutan helps in preventing pus formation

Aphrodisiac activity

• It exerts aphrodisiac activity too, which is closely associated with enhancing sexual desire
• It has seen that rambutan leaves are very effective to increase libido by regulating the action of several hormones

Health benefits

Role on immunity

• Consumption of rambutan is extremely helpful for boosting up the overall immunity of body as it greatly supports the immune health
• Its Vitamin C content plays imperative role in promoting long term immune health
• It helps to increase the resistance power of the body as well

Role on digestive health

• Consumption of rambutan is associated with making the digestive tract relatively more resilient
• Its fibre content is accountable for enhancing the overall health and activity of gastrointestinal tract. As it is related with enhancing the growth of intestinal beneficial microbes thus it plays significant role in promoting gut health also. On the other hand it helps to prevent constipation too

Role on skeletal health

• Rambutan is loaded with phosphorus that plays imperative role in promoting skeletal health as phosphorus helps in healthy bone formation
• Its Vitamin C content also promotes skeletal health
• It helps to improve bone mass as well as bone mineral density thus it is better to consume rambutan for maintaining a healthy skeletal system

Role on skin

• It is very effective for improving skin health
• Preparing a paste by mashing the rambutan seed and its application to skin significantly improves the texture of skin. It also helps to clear the skin and improves complexion
• It also helps to make the skin soft and smooth
• It helps to hydrate    Read more