Amazing Health Benefits of Aratiles or Kerson Fruit

Aratiles or Kerson Fruit

Growing up as a child in the 80s, I was introduced to this cute fruit called Aratiles. We used to have a tree in our backyard where kids like us used to play. But it’s been almost three or four decades since the last time I had eaten such fruit. Hence, I was thrilled when my officemate Richie thoughtfully sent me aratiles via Lalamove while we are all under quarantine and lockdown.

Aratiles also known as Jamaican cherry or Kerson fruit is probably one of the least popular fruits. In fact, even my nephew Kyle didn’t know anything about it. Millenials nowadays grew up differently from my childhood years and sadly they had no wonderful childhood memories of this fruit as I did. I was surprised to learn the amazing health benefits of Aratiles.

With its scientific name, Muntingia calabura, Aratiles is a fruit from a tree whose individual fruits resemble American cranberries, which are from shrubs.  A young Filipina from Iloilo named Maria Isabel Layson won the National Science and Technology Fair after she found out the good qualities and health benefits of this wonder fruit but often overlooked—Aratiles. Allow me to share with you the awesome health benefits of Aratiles. Check it out below:

ANTI-BACTERIAL AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Aratiles has been found to have anti-bacterial features. It can be used to help the human body to ward off bacteria and boost the body’s ability to fight off infections. Research had also shown it also has anti-inflammatory substance that may help reduce sores and swelling. Kerson fruit or Aratiles is a natural antibiotic that fights staph, intestinal bacteria, sepsis, and diphtheria. 

ARATILES IS RICH IN VITAMIN C

This is something that we all need in these times of COVID-19 pandemic virus that has plagued the world. Would you believe that one hundred grams of aratiles is equal to 150 mgs of Vitamin C? Vitamin C helps in the prevention of flu and colds, it is also a strong anti-oxidant and helps in the prevention of some types of cardiovascular disease. 

A GOOD SOURCE OF ANTIOXIDANT

Free radicals are practically everywhere. These are short-lived molecules that our body produces when it breaks down food or when we’re exposed to radiation or cigarette second-hand smoke. Aratiles is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the cells from the negative effects of free radicals.

A RELIEF FOR HEADACHE

People who suffer severe migraines and headaches often have blood vessel constriction. Aratiles berries relax blood vessels so that blood can normally flow again.

MAINTAINS BLOOD PRESSURE

The tea made out of Aratiles fruit can give one a pretty good amount of ntric oxide.  These are natural chemicals that relaxes the blood vessels so blood can flow smoothly and hassle-free sans the pressure in our blood veins.

LOWERS URIC ACID LEVELS AND GOUT REMEDY

Ripe Aratiles fruit is red in color because of a specific purpose—the skin contains Anthrosyanin—a great antioxidant. It could help avoid uric acid levels from rising. The most common problem mostly found in older men that affects the joints, tendons and other tissues close to the bone called gout can also be alleviated by the Aratiles fruit.

BRAIN DEVELOPMENT

Aratiles also helps with brain development and boosts brain function making it a great choice of fruit for people with cognitive problems.

HELPFUL FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETES

They say diabetes is irreversible, meaning once you have it, you’re going to have it for the rest of your life. The key is in the way you manage and control your blood sugar. Aratiles or kerson fruit effectively lowers blood sugar according to studies. Regular consumption of this wonder fruit may also be a preventive measure against diabetes mellitus.

IMPROVES DIGESTION

You can boil up aratiles up to two times. It’s being used to relieve upset stomach, gas cramps, and indigestion.

IT HAS CARDIOVASCULAR BENEFITS

Aratiles tea has specific antioxidants that prevent inflammation that causes myocardial infarction or heart attack. Parts of our heart muscles may suffer permanent damage due to lack of blood flow during heart attack. Consuming aratiles tea is a good way to prevent such to happen.

IT IS BEING RESEARCHED AS A CANCER PREVENTION

Medical research shows big potential and promise that the leaves of aratiles contains properties that reduces and prevent cancerous tumor growth.

IT IS A PAIN BLOCKER

The Aratiles fruit is a pretty good pain reliever. Its tea actually blocks pain receptors. We all have neurons in our body. Each time we receive a stimuli, they send messages to our spinal cord and brain when we feel pain. Aratiles tea has the ability to block those messages from being sent.

CONTAINS IMPORTANT NUTRIENTS NEEDED BY THE BODY

Aratiles is rich in fiber, carbs, protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and B-vitamins. You can eat it as it is—raw, made into jams and jellies, drink its tea etc.

See? The next time you’ll see an Aratiles or Kerson fruit, I hope you won’t underestimate its size because it’s proven to be packed with all the goodness and loaded with awesome health benefits.