The Gac (Momordica cochinchinensis, by its scientific name) is a strange fruit for the Western world, which grows in Southeast Asia, mainly in Vietnam.
It is a red fruit highly prized by
the natives for its refreshing properties and the energy level that gives them.
This rare vine gives amazing fruits,
which in addition to being beautiful, are tasty, rich medicinally and can weigh
up to 2 kg!
Its fruits are served in ceremonial
occasions in Vietnam, as the Tết (Vietnamese New Year). They are used to give color
and taste to, for example, rice.
The seeds are incredibly beautiful,
and are also used in some Asian dishes.
The medicinal use of this plant is
also very vast. His seeds are used in Vietnam to promote healthy vision, and in
Chinese medicine are used for various internal and external purposes.
The fruit have higher concentrations
of beta-carotene (vitamin A), above all other fruit or vegetable. It also
contains 70 times more lycopene, than the tomato.
Gac
fruit: benefits of consumption
Research conducted on the Gac fruit
indicate that it contains a high amount of soluble carotenoids such as lycopene
and beta-carotene, which allows the nutrients and antioxidants being attracted
and trapped to facilitate absorption.
That is, this type of carotene is an
ideal transport for nutrients and antioxidants that can slow the cellular aging
process.
Beta-carotene is an important precursor
of vitamin A, and is a powerful antioxidant that protects our body from some
cancers.
Beta-carotene also has properties
that enhance the immune system and promote bone formation and red blood cells.
Meanwhile, lycopene has antioxidant
properties and protects human cells from oxidation that generate free radicals,
which are mainly responsible for aging and diseases such as cardiovascular and
cancer.
Epidemiological studies show that
the consumption of lycopene significantly benefits human health, since it
reduces the incidence of cancerous diseases, especially lung, prostate and
digestive tract, and reduces cardiovascular disease.
There is also scientific evidence
about the benefits of consumption of lycopene in reducing macular degeneration,
the leading cause of blindness in people over 65 years.
Beta-carotene is found in vegetables
like purslane, broccoli, red peppers, spinach, watercress, abahaca, asparagus,
carrots, squash, beets, mango, melon and papaya, among others.
Lycopene is found in fruits such as
watermelon and guava, and in very large quantities in tomatoes.
It has been noted that the Gac
contains the highest concentration of carotenoids in fruits that are known so
far.
It contains 40-70 times more
lycopene than tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables, and 60 times more
vitamin C than oranges.
The
Gac, a fruit from heaven with great benefits for your health
Among the benefits of the
consumption of the levels of carotene contained in the Gac fruit are
strengthening the level of antioxidant defenses of the body, more and better
nutrition of cells and organs, and strengthening the immune system.
Also strengthens heart health
specifically combating arteriosclerosis, strengthening arteries and, therefore,
reducing the likelihood of heart attacks.
A publication of the"International Journal of Oncology" says Gac fruit could be a
powerful mechanism to fight cancer. In laboratory investigation it shows that
this fruit is a powerful antioxidant that can inhibit the growth of certain
types of cancer cells.
This does not mean that the Gac
fruit cure cancer, but it reduces the risk of certain cancers.
We therefore recommend consuming
large amounts of beta carotene and lycopene, primarily from the Gac fruit.
Because it is quite rare to find the
fruit in the markets there are a number of companies that process Gac
commercially as a supplement or juice.
It can be purchased online, at
Amazon (safely and with the guarantee of this great company). Why not try a
supplement or a Gac juice?
