Custard Apple Leaves are one of the most beautiful and useful edible leaves. When cooked, the soft texture of these leaves is a perfect accompaniment to many dishes. But do you know why you should be eating them? Well, they are rich in nutrients such as vitamins A and K, fiber, and beta-carotene. Moreover, they are also very low in calories and carbohydrates.
The color of these leaves ranges from pale yellow to greenish-yellow. The most popular variety is the apple leaf, which is also known as the clay-apple leaf or the parched apple leaf. It is usually served with mashed potatoes and gravy, or as an accompaniment to meat and gravy. In fact, these leaves are so widely used that you will find them in almost every traditional dish. Read on to know more about the health benefits of custard apple leaves, which type is the healthiest, and how to use them in your daily diet.
Health Benefits of Custard Apple Leaves
These are the benefits of eating custard apple leaves according to nutritionists and health experts:
Vitamins and minerals: Many varieties of custard apple leaves contain vitamins and minerals that are essential for our bodies to function properly. They can prevent or treat a number of diseases such as prevent osteoporosis, heart disease, and cancer.
Fiber: Fiber is good for your digestive system. It prevents constipation and weakens your stomach acid. This is because fiber shrinks your stool. As a result, your stomach has less acid to deal with and is able to absorb more nutrients from your meals.
B vitamins: B vitamins are essential for the body to function properly. They prevent many diseases such as spina bifida and weakness and are believed to improve brain function.
Copper: Copper is important for maintaining your health. It helps control your body’s metabolic rate, regulates your heart rate, and helps with your mental health.
Manganese: Manganese is another essential mineral required by your body for various functions such as making red blood cells, making DNA, and synthesizing neurotransmitters.
Zinc: Zinc is needed for healthy skin and hair, strong muscles, and normal growth and development of children.
Types of Custard Apple Leaves
The three most popular types of custard apple leaves are the red clay-apple leaf, the green parched apple leaf, and the yellowish-green wax-apple leaf.
Red Clay-Apple Leaf: This is the most common type of custard apple leaf. The leaves are shiny and have a faint red color.
Green Parched Apple Leaf: The leaves of this type are greenish-yellow in color. The leaves are quite crisp and juicy.
Yellowish-Green Wax-Apple Leaf: These leaves have a slight yellowish-green color. They are quite soft and have a nice texture when cooked.
How to Use Custard Apple Leaves?
Custard apple leaves are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. They are also rich in dietary fiber, B vitamins, manganese, and copper. They are a good source of vitamins A, K2, and C and dietary fiber.
These are easy to cook with. If you are having a dinner party, serve these leaves with mashed potatoes and gravy. If you are making a light lunch, pair them with a salad. If you are planning a dinner with meat, fish, or poultry, try to use the joints or bones to make broth.
Your dinner will definitely be a lot more enjoyable if you enjoy eating leaves with a glass of red wine.
Pros of Custard Apple Leaves
These are the benefits you will experience when you start consuming custard apple leaves in your daily diet:
Healthy Skin and Hair: The rich source of vitamins and minerals will help you build strong, healthy skin and hair.
Weight Control: Fiber and B vitamins will regulate your digestion and help you to lose weight without having to spend too much time in the kitchen.
Lowers Blood pressure: The low-fat intake coupled with the administration of calcium, potassium, and vitamin D will help to regulate your blood pressure.
Improves Blood Flow: The rich supply of fiber and B vitamins will boost the production of digestive juices which will help to improve your digestive system.
Strengthening Immune System: The rich supply of vitamin K will help to strengthen your immune system.
Cons of Custard Apple Leaves
This is the list of the possible disadvantages that you might experience when you start consuming custard apple leaves in your daily diet:
Too Much of a Good Thing: You are probably already aware that vegetables are good for you. They are an important part of a healthy diet. However, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.
Yellow Skin and Color: Yellow skin and color are usually associated with an unhealthy diet. You should aim to consume a balanced diet that contains proteins, complex carbohydrates, and various vitamins and minerals.
Muted flavor: A muted flavor is usually an indication that something is wrong with food or its recipe. This is why you should check the flavor of any dish before you consume it.
Custard apple leaves are a good source of vitamins and minerals. They are rich in dietary fiber, B vitamins, manganese, and copper. They are a good source of vitamins A, K2, and C and dietary fiber. These are easy to cook with. If you are having a dinner party, serve these leaves with mashed potatoes and gravy. If you are making a light lunch, pair them with a salad.
If you are planning a dinner with meat, fish, or poultry, try to use the joints or bones to make broth. Your dinner will definitely be a lot more enjoyable if you enjoy leaves with a glass of red wine.