9 Amazing Health Benefits Of Tamarillo

Tamarillo’s benefits are many and have caught the attention of people around the globe for its sweet yet tangy taste. Commonly known as tree tomatoes, tamarillo is a sweet fruit used to make chutneys, compotes and is a great addition to your salad. A powerhouse of vitamins and minerals, tamarillo may aid in weight loss and may give you healthy and glowing skin. In this article, we explore the different benefits of tamarillo and some simple ways to incorporate them into your diet.

What Is Tamarillo?

Tamarillo is native to South America. Tamarillo, also known as “Tree Tomato”, is now cultivated in many parts of the world. One of the largest producers of tamarillo is New Zealand. The name was revised to differentiate it from the ordinary tomatoes, thus emphasizing on its exotic variety.

Benefits Of Tamarillo

1. Vitamins

Tamarillo is packed with vitamins A, C, E and pro-vitamin A

(1). It has a good source of B-complex vitamins such as niacin, thiamine, and riboflavin. Other nutrients in tamarillo are carbohydrates, protein, fat, calcium, potassium and sodium (2) (3). It also contains minerals such as, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, copper, zinc and iron. It is fortified with many nutrients that help improve the immune system.

2. Aids Weight Loss

This fruit is beneficial in weight loss, which can be attributed to it being low-calorie and high in fiber. Consumed raw, sprinkled with herbs or in the form of salads, the juice of tamarillo acts as a detoxifier when consumed. Its acidic properties help cut down fat. In a study conducted on rats, it was found that the use of tamarillo may help in weight management and control obesity (4). Exercising, in addition, can accelerate the results of weight loss.

3. Good For Skin

Tamarillo offers vitamins A, C and E to ensure your skin stays healthy and radiant. Anthocyanin, phenols andflavonoidsⁱ  A group of substances found in fruits and vegetables that help manage high blood pressure and lower the risk of diabetes. protect the skin from oxidative stressⁱ  An unbalanced ratio of antioxidants and free radicals in the body, which increases the risk of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. and pollution (5), (6). Tamarillo also helps in anti-aging. Just like regular tomatoes, these can be used in home remedies for various skin problems like acne and pigmentation.

Quick Tip

You can apply tomatillo directly to your face. Simply split it open and rub the flesh and juice over your skin and wash it off after leaving it on for 15 minutes.

4. Helps Control Diabetes

The chlorogenic acid present in tamarillo and the low glycemic indexⁱ  A rating system that assigns value to foods based on how quickly they increase blood sugar levels in the body. of the fruit together help lower blood sugar levels in type-II diabetes mellitus

(7). Tamarillo contains excellent antioxidants, which can reduce oxidative stress in organs such as the pancreas and the liver. Eating the pulp of tamarillo, or consuming its juice on a light stomach would ensure better results.

5. Soothes Inflamed Tonsils

Tamarillo can help reduce inflammation in the lymph nodes. In Ecuador, the natives warmed tamarillo leaves and wrapped them around the neck to treat inflamed tonsils. The absorption of heat via leaves helps reduce pain. The Columbians make a poultice of the fruit by cooking it in embers for external medicinal use.

6. Lowers High Blood Pressure

Increase your tamarillo intake to lower the levels of high blood pressure (6). Loaded with good sources of minerals and potassium, this fruit helps control blood pressure.

7. Good For Heart

Potassium, a nutrient abundantly present in tamarillo, helps to balance the harmful effects of high sodium levels in the heart. It provides magnesium for the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system (8). Also, tamarillo contains high fiber content that helps restrain absorption of bad cholesterol in the body. Due to its excellent antioxidant properties, it helps reduce oxidative stress that may otherwise lead to stroke.

8. Good For The Eyes

Tamarillo fruits are also very good for maintaining your eye health. Anthocyanins present in tamarillo help improve your vision. According to a study, anthocyanins have effects on rhodopsin regeneration and smooth muscle relaxation in vitro. Anthocyanins were present in eye tissues and improved blood circulation (9).

Quick Tip

You can add blackberries and bilberries to your diet in addition to tomatillo as they are two other good sources of anthocyanins (9).

9. May Reduce The Risk Of Cancer

Anthocyanins contained in the darker tamarillo have potent antioxidants, which help combat free radicals that cause cancer. They also have anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties that help in cancer prevention (8).

Now that you know about tamarillo’s health benefits, go ahead and check out its culinary uses.

Culinary Uses Of Tamarillo

• Use tamarillo in savory sauces for meats like pork or lamb.
• Blend tamarillo in smoothies for a refreshing flavor boost.
• Include it in jams for a unique fruity spread.
• Mix tamarillo juice into cocktails for a tropical touch.
• Incorporate tamarillo into chutneys to enhance grilled dishes.
• Include tamarillo in desserts like tarts or as a yogurt topping.

You can also use tamarillo in salads. Given below is one of the salad recipes of Tamarillo that you can easily prepare at home.

Tamarillo Sprout Salad

Serves:

1 person

Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

• Tamarillos – 2 to 3
• Multi grain (optional) – 250 grm
• Onions -1(diced)
• Green chilli-1 small
• Cumin seeds – ¼ tsp
• Salt to taste
• Oil – 1/2 tsp
• Garnish of your choice

Preparation:

• Heat oil in a pan.
• Add cumin seeds and sauté for a minute, after which you can add the diced onions and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Once slightly tender, add the multi-grain sprouts and sauté on a high flame.
• Alternate the flame from low to high, sauté for another 3 minutes.
• Sprinkle with some water and cover it.
• Steam it for a minute, and then remove the lid and add the tomatoes.
• Sauté on a high flame, adding salt.
• You can season it with Indian or Italian seasoning, which is optional.

A blogger shared her recipe for making tantalizing tamarillo jam, and also cited it as her favorite thing to do with tamarillos. She writes about the preparation process, “I decided to add two apples to my eight small Tamarillos because I desperately wanted to make more of this very promising recipe. For the same reason, and because I despise waste, I did not remove the seeds of the Tamarillos, just the skins and the little hard white bit at the top of the fruit and the tiny hard bit on the pointy end of a few…. What a glorious smell while this was cooking! Absolutely glorious jam. I only got 2 small jars, but they will be savored (i).”

There are numerous ways to add tamarillo to your diet. But do they have any side effects you should know about? Let us find out in the next section.

Tamarillo Side Effects

Tamarillo may cause allergic reactions. According to a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, a participant reported that he experienced hives within 12-24 hours of tamarillo consumption. The study further found that the fruit has two proteins that bind to immunoglobulin E, an antibody class that plays a role in allergic responses. It may also cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction (10), (11). Therefore, it is better to avoid consuming tamarillo if you are allergic to fruits and vegetables belonging to the nightshade family, like tomatoes and eggplant.

Tell us how you found this post!  Also share your tamarillo recipes, if you know any! Leave a comment below!

Dive into the world of tamarillo fruit with this video highlighting its top 10 amazing facts. Learn about its health benefits and discover why it’s worth incorporating into your diet.

Infographic: Top 5 Reasons To Have Tamarillo

Tamarillo is loaded with different compounds, vitamins, and minerals, making it a nutritious must-have in your pantry. While the benefits of consuming this South American fruit were covered in detail in the article above, we’ve picked up the finest ones for you here.

Check out the infographic below to learn more about the benefits of adding tamarillo to your diet.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you eat the skin of a tamarillo?

Yes, tamarillo skin is edible. However, it has a very bitter taste.

How do you eat tamarillo?

You can eat tamarillo by scooping out the flesh with a spoon directly. It can also be added to salads for a unique flavor.

Are tamarillos good for constipation?

Possibly not. Tamarillos are placed under high FODMAP foods and are recommended to be avoided by IBS patients. It is high in fructose which may aggravate gastrointestinal conditions like constipation (11).

How can tamarillos be incorporated into a healthy diet?

You can add tamarillos to salads, soups, salsa, sauces, and smoothies. They are generally paired with savory dishes.

Illustration: Amazing Health Benefits Of Tamarillo

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

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Mayuri AavulaNutritionist

   

Mayuri Aavula is one of the top nutritionists in Hyderabad, India, and has won several awards and accolades. She has 6 years of experience and started TruDiet in 2016 to provide diet care services to popular film and TV personalities.

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Tanya ChoudharyHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Tanya is an ISSA certified Specialist in Fitness & Nutrition. She specializes in writing articles on ingredients that benefit skin, hair, and health. She believes in the right health and lifestyle practices and strives to promote the same to everyone around her.

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