The pitomba is the fruit of the pitombeira ( Talisia esculenta ), a species native to the Brazilian Amazon and highly appreciated in the northeast of the country.
The fruit is from the same family as the lychee and is full of health benefits for the body. It helps to increase immunity , prevent disease, strengthen bones and act to improve bowel function.
Best of all, it is possible to eat the pitomba in its natural version or using it in different recipes, such as juices and sauces. Learn more about this fruit below!
Table of Contents
6 Main benefits of pitomba
The pitombeira fruit is rich in proteins, carbohydrates and vitamins A, C and in the B complex.
The presence of dietary fiber and minerals such as calcium, iron and zinc in the pulp was also identified, which makes the pitomba a very nutritious food, but with a low caloric value, with only 56 calories per serving.
1. Tones the immune system
As it has a large amount of vitamin C , pitomba can be consumed with the aim of helping the body to avoid the development of diseases, such as flu and colds , as it increases immunity.
This vitamin is a natural antioxidant and is able to prevent the death of cells that make up the immune system and makes them work more effectively.
Vitamin A, in turn, increases the amount of some types of cells called T lymphocytes, making them act more quickly when they encounter an already known antigen. While zinc and iron stimulate proliferation, increasing their concentration in the body.
2. Fight intestinal problems
The fruit is great for anyone who suffers from intestinal problems, precisely because of the presence of fiber in its composition, around 2.4 g per 100 gram serving.
These fibers are non-digestible components that increase intestinal mobility and hydrate the stool as they absorb and carry water to the intestine. Thus, a diet rich in fiber ensures better intestinal health.
3. Strengthens bones
The fruit has a good percentage of calcium , essential for maintaining the density and strength of our bone system. Each serving has about 27 mg of the mineral.
4. Protects against cell oxidation
Pitomba is rich in antioxidants , molecules that act to prevent damage to the body caused by the ingestion of alcohol, cigarettes, medicines and industrialized foods.
The consumption of these harmful substances can alter the DNA and increase the risk of developing chronic diseases, cardiovascular and even cancer.
5. Speeds up healing
The good amounts of carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals make important pitomba for the healing of wounds .
Carbohydrates energize the cells that make up skin tissue, and white blood cells, which prevent infections that slow down the regeneration process .
Vitamins A, complex B and C, in addition to the minerals iron and zinc, increase the production not only of these cells, but also of proteins that bind everything, such as collagen , in addition to ensuring that the body will have energy and oxygen to be able to heal. the injury .
6. Reduces inflammation
Pitomba pulp can help reduce the symptoms of inflammatory problems such as allergies .
This occurs in part as a consequence of the fruit’s antioxidant effect, which inhibits the release of compounds that serve to activate inflammation, causing the process to either start or end early.
What is Pitomba?
The pitombeira can reach 15 meters in height and grows throughout the country, but it is more common in the North and Northeast regions, where the consumption of the fruit is more popular.
It is grown only domestically, so its sale is reserved for open markets during the months of January to March, the harvest period.
The fruit, also called bull’s eye and monkey pitomba , is small, measuring at most four centimeters in diameter and growing in bunches.
When ripe it has a brown husk, which is hard but breaks easily. The pulp is sweet and astringent, has a translucent white color and is very thin.
Curiosity! Pitomba is a word derived from the Tupi indigenous language and means something like a strong kick or slap.
How to eat and how to make juice
One of the most common ways to consume the fruit is in nature . To do this, just remove the husk that surrounds the pulp.
Some people find the ingestion of the fruit a bit laborious, but the skin is very easy to remove and the flavor is worth any effort.
Another very common way to include pitomba in food is through the preparation of juice. In addition, there are also other drinks, sweets and even more elaborate recipes.
See some suggestions for including the pitomba in your food:
Pitomba juice
Ingredients
- 1 glass of filtered ice water
- 8 pitombas.
Preparation mode
Sanitize and peel the pitombas. Take the fruits to a blender with the water, beating in pulse mode to separate the pulp from the seeds.
Strain and, if you feel the need, add sugar. A tip is: after straining, return the juice to the blender and blend it again, this time with some ice cubes to make it more refreshing.
Pitomba salad dressing
Ingredients
- 20 units (or 100 grams) of pitomba
- 1 cup of filtered water
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1 clove
- 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise
- ½ (coffee) spoon of salt
- 1 (dessert) spoon of chopped coriander.
Preparation mode
Peel the pitomba and put it to cook with the water. Add sugar and cloves and simmer for 10 minutes. After this time, turn off the heat and let it cool for at least an hour.
Pass the entire mixture through a sieve, rubbing the stone, to remove as much pulp as possible. The next step is to add the mayonnaise, salt and cilantro. Keep the sauce in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
My name is Ellie Lauderdale, MD and I am USA based professional Nutritionist .
I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and board certified specialist in sports dietetics who is trained in integrative medicine. I have worked with hundreds of clients, from those suffering with chronic disease to professional and olympian athletes. My goal is to help optimize you from the inside so that you can feel, perform, and look your best on the outside.