Cherimoya

Annona Cherimola is a plant of the Annonaceae family, which also includes the graviola, is native to Peru, Ecuador and Colombia although nowadays it has spread in several countries of America, Africa and the Mediterranean basin. The fruit of this plant is the cherimoya, also called chirimuya, and is gaining notoriety so much that now it’s not uncommon to find it in supermarkets or specialized shops all over the world. Cherimoya has a green skin and a sweet, white pulp rich in seeds. You can eat it with a spoon after opening the fruit in half. You should not eat neither the peel nor the seeds, as they may result toxic. The fruit contains water, fibers, ideal for a proper intestinal functioning and for the control of cholesterol levels, vitamins, such as vitamins of group B and C, and mineral salts, especially phosphorus, calcium and potassium, helpful to keep under control the blood pressure values. Thanks to the presence of vitamin C, the fruit supports the immune system, in addition to this, the cherimoya is also characterized by antibacterial and antimicrobial properties and, thanks to the presence of polyphenols that are antioxidants, it results useful to counteract the action of free radicals and aging processes. In particular, among the antioxidants, the fruit contains acetogenins, substances with anticancer effect according to a study published in the journal Cancer letters by a team of Purdue University, Indiana, United States. The study, performed in vitro, observed the ability of acetogenins to inhibit the growth of some types of cancer, especially those resistant to drugs, by blocking the mechanism by which cells supply themselves with energy. Other studies have been carried out to shed light on this activity, but many others will be needed to verify the effect on humans. Finally, a recommendation, in general, cherimoya is an exotic fruit with very interesting properties but, like all foods, you should not exaggerate with its consumption, first of all in order to keep from accentuating the laxative effect and then because the acetogenins, the same molecules with anticancer action, if at high doses and high concentrations are toxic with problems for the brain. This part is actually much debated because the effects are not clear and other studies are required to understand the action deeper.