Health Benefits of Salak Fruit

What is Salak?

This ‘snake like skin’ fruit has an uncanny appearance, having scale like features on outer skin and a sweet pineapple flavored flesh inside. Salak is an Indonesian origin fruit that grows on Salak tree which is a short stemmed palm. Salak is an exotic fruit with a blend of many fruit flavors like that of pineapple, banana, pear and aroma like that of lily and jasmine. It is crispy like an apple and has three clove like structures inside which contain an inedible seed each. Salak is grown mostly at South Asian islands of Indonesia, Java and Sumatra, Malaysia and now it has been growing in Australia, Queensland and other areas.

Two Salak varieties are widely grown; Salak Pondoh and Salak Bali. Salak being tasty and juicy in nature is a favorite among locals and tourists of Indonesia and Bali. It is high in nutrition and is consumed in various ways. It can be candied, pickled, canned or made into wine or could be eaten fresh.

Salak Fruit - Nutritional Value

Salak contains a myriad of vital body nutrients like proteins, calcium, iron, potassium, vitamin C, beta carotene and primarily carbohydrates. This richness of nutrients makes it a very healthy and benefitting fruit. 100 gm of Salak gives you approx 82 calories, and contains 4% fats and 1% proteins. It also contains essential elements like dietary fibers and phenolic compounds.

Health Benefits of Salak

Good for Eyes: The powerful antioxidant beta carotene helps in curing eye defects like near sightedness. A regular portion of Salak in your diet can be a good replacement of all the remedies followed for maintaining good eye health. It contains about five times more beta carotene than watermelon and mangoes.

Fight Diarrhea and Indigestion: Salak being rich in fiber and vitamins help in soothing stomach aches, irregular bowel movements, flatulence and other problems related to indigestion or diarrhea. Its bark contains compounds that can treat diarrhea fast.

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Maintain Cardiovascular Health: Salak is rich in potassium content that makes heart healthy. High amount of antioxidants and minerals keep the cardiovascular system function properly and helps in water regulation in the body.

Memory Booster: Salak is called as a ‘memory fruit’. High amount of potassium and pectin improves body’s cognitive functions and enhances memory.

Helps in Weight Loss: Due to high fiber and antioxidant content, Salak is a sought-after diet for weight management diets. It contains calcium and carbohydrates that provide necessary energy and stamina to the body while on diet. Its tea is a great astringent that is useful in reducing weight.

Control Blood Sugar Level: The skin of Salak fruit when made into a tea helps in cell regeneration in the pancreas that control diabetes. It also contains pterostilbene which is a blood glucose lowering agent that helps in controlling diabetes.

Promote Overall Body Health: Salak is a nutrient dense fruit that helps in improving overall health of the body. Its rich nutrient profile consisting of vital vitamins and minerals help in maintain proper body functions. Antioxidants help in fighting damage to the cells and tissues and prevent the body from harmful carcinogenic damage. Regular consumption of a portion of Salak in your diet reduces the risk of hemorrhoid formation.

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Salak Fruit Recipe

Salak Fruit Cake

Ingredients:

• All purpose flour 1 ½ cup
• Butter 200 gm
• Cocoa powder 2 tbsp (optional)
• Baking soda 1 tsp
• Castor sugar 1-1 ½ cup
• Eggs 3
• Water 1 cup
• Chopped walnuts ¼ cup
• Chopped fresh Salak fruit ¾ cup
• Sieve in flour, baking soda, cocoa powder in a bowl.
• In another bowl melt the butter and add sugar. Mix well.
• Now add the sieved dry ingredients to it.
• Add eggs and water to it and blend till a smooth mixture is obtained.
• Pour into a baking dish greased with butter.
• Put the batter into oven; preheated to 180ºC for 30-40 minutes.
• Allow it to cool and serve.