Jamaican Cherry: Is It Good For Health?

Jamaican Cherry is a fast-growing tiny evergreen that belongs to the genus Muntingia L. (muntingia) of the Elaeocarpus family. Generally, it is grown in warm regions of the World and in India, Southeast Asia, Malaya, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It has numerous health benefits. Let's discuss it in detail.

Important Facts About Jamaican Cherry:

Scientific Name: Muntingia Calabura

• Origin: Southern Mexico, Tropical South America Central America, , the Greater Antilles, St. Vincent & Trinidad

• Colors: Green when young, changing to yellow before ripening to bright red

• Shapes: Berry, rounded, about 1.5 centimeters in diameter, smooth, fleshy, sweet, and many-seeded

• Taste: Slightly sweet and slightly tart

• Popular Common Names: Strawberry Tree, Panama berry, Jamaican cherry, Bajelly tree, and Singapore cherry, Sabah cherry,  Panama Cherry, Jam tree, Cotton Candy berry, Calabura, calabur tree, calabura, capulin, Jamaica cherry, Japanese cherry, ornamental cherry, and silkwood.

Are Jamaican cherries good for you?

Read on to know if Jamaican Cherry is good for health or not;

Nowadays, the appearance of various kinds of diseases, both infectious and non-infectious, has become a major global concern. Many pharmaceutical drugs have been manufactured and prescribed to patients to treat diseases but unfortunately, all have numerous side effects.

1. Jamaican Cherry has Anti-Diabetic Properties:

Sugar Patients generally are scared of eating fruits due to the high amount of glucose content in them but there's one fruit named Jamaican Cheery which is a potential cure for diabetes, Maria Isabel Layson, a student from Iloilo National High School, recently discovered that the Jamaican cherry has anti-diabetes properties and could cure type 2 diabetes.

2. It Reduces Blood Pressure:

The problem of high blood pressure is caused by many things like consuming excess salt, diets high in fat, and heredity. When blood vessels contracts due to these things, blood has a harder time moving through the body and this puts excessive pressure on your vessels as it does. That's why, high blood pressure, a dangerous situation that can cause heart attacks and strokes. Jamaican Cherry tea has rich amounts of nitric oxide, a natural chemical that relaxes blood vessels so that blood can flow freely, thus reducing pressure.

3. Relieves Pain:

If you are suffering from chronic pain, arthritis, or gout, you must include Jamaican cherry fruit in your diet. However, the Jamaican cherries can't treat the primary condition or disease but they help in managing and reducing pain. The Jamaican cherry plant, especially its leaves, is known for its anti-nociceptive property that blocks your nerves from experiencing pain. Its leaves also consist of antioxidants like vitamin C and flavonoids, which contribute to the pain-blocking function.

4. Prevents Infections & Boosts Immunity:

Jamaican cherry is a wonderful antioxidant. By reducing the cell damage caused by oxidization, the fruit can enhance your immunity, and reduce the duration of illnesses. And due to its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, Jamaican cherry fruit can also help treat common colds, flu, and other infections.

5. Keeps Your Digestive Tract Healthy:

Our fast-paced and unhealthy lifestyle exposes us to several illnesses, the most common one being stomach or gastric ulcer, which can show symptoms like heartburn, belching,  indigestion, passing excessive amounts of gas, or vomiting. So due to its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial properties, the fruit can help prevent and treat gastric ulcers by eliminating harmful bacteria, it can also reduce your risk of developing other bacterial digestive issues and promote gut health.

6. Relieves Headaches:

People who are suffering from severe headaches because of blood vessel constriction should try this fruit. Jamaica cherry relieves blood vessels, so that blood can flow normally. Eating the fruit and drinking tea made of the leaves works great for getting rid of headaches.

7. Balances Blood Sugar Levels:

Over 8.5% of the global population is affected by high blood sugar levels and diabetes. If you are a diabetic, it is very important that you regulate your diet and consume foods that decrease your blood sugar levels. Jamaica cherry includes many anti-diabetic substances like ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, fiber, riboflavin, thiamine, and niacin that manage your sugar levels and prevent problems with high blood sugar.