Mighty Foreign Fruits
The best part of traveling is checking out the foods you cannot get at home. Even if some exotic fruits smell or look strange, these divine delicacies are nutrient rich and may even have medicinal properties.
Rambutan - Native to Malay Archipelago, Southeast Asia
This fuzzy hairy looking thing looks more like a sea urchin than a fruit. Sweet, tangy and grape like in taste, it is a great source of vitamin C which is a key antioxidant helping to protect the body from free radical damage. Provides trace minerals such as copper which is needed for production of healthy red and white blood cells, along with manganese, which help enzymes function in the body. Found to have an antimicrobial effect which is useful in fighting infections.
Lychee - Native to southern China
Tastes like a combination of a pear and grape. Lychee has more vitamin C than oranges and more beta carotene than carrots. Working as an excellent digestive, it is a great fruit to eat after a big meal. Helps increase absorption of many fat-soluble vitamins. May prevent blood clots which benefits heart and stroke patients.
Mangosteen - Native to Sunda Islands and the Moluccas of Indonesia
Think citrus fuses with peach when it comes to the mangosteen flavor. Deemed the "Queen of Fruits", mangosteen is such a powerful antioxidant that it is claimed to have anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and immune boosting activity. Since the purplish skin contains an abundance of antioxidants but is inedible, mangosteen is often formulated as a juice so it can blend the bitter healthy skin with the sweeter fruit.
Durian - Native to Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia
Custardy in texture, durian is described as tasting like white chocolate with a hint of onion. Nicknamed the "King of Fruits," durian is an acquired taste which some will despise while others may relish. Because it smells like unwashed gym socks, durian is banned in hotels due to its offensive odor. Like a banana, durian is full of carbohydrates and potassium which provide the body with energy. It is rich in dietary fiber, making it a good colon detoxifier. A rare feature among fruits, durian is an excellent source of vitamin B-complex. Also contains high levels of tryptophan which is also known as nature's sleeping pill. Good source of vitamin C. High in cholesterol-free fat so may help underweight people.
Dragon Fruit - Native to Mexico and South and Central America
This low-calorie fruit resembles the flavor of melon and kiwi. Look out for the name pitaya because it is the same. Has a high amount of antioxidants and vitamin C. Eaten on a regular basis, its high fiber content may contribute to weight loss and promote regularity. May lower blood glucose levels helping those with type 2 diabetes.
Kumquat - Native to China
Sweet on the outside and sour in the middle, kumquats are dubbed the "little gems of the citrus family". However unlike other citrus fruits, do not even think about peeling the skin as it is sweet and is bursting with limonoids which are powerful anti-cancer compounds. Used as a remedy for sore throats when boiled.
Jackfruit - Native to southwestern India, Bangladesh, Philippines and Sri Lanka
Tasting like a blend of pineapple and banana, jackfruit is the largest fruit growing on trees in the world. Has anti-cancer, anti-ulcer and anti-aging phytonutrients, while also providing an excellent dose of vitamin C and potassium. Extract of jackfruit root has been found to be beneficial for those suffering from asthma and skin problems and may even help cure diarrhea and fever.
Dr Sandy Zabaneh is a US board-certified Doctor in Pharmacy who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Physiology from University of California, Davis. She is the Health Editor of U Magazine, clinical pharmacy consultant and life coach. Dr Sandy likes to follow the motto set forth by the World Health Organization in 1948:
The best part of traveling is checking out the foods you cannot get at home. Even if some exotic fruits smell or look strange, these divine delicacies are nutrient rich and may even have medicinal properties.
Rambutan - Native to Malay Archipelago, Southeast Asia
This fuzzy hairy looking thing looks more like a sea urchin than a fruit. Sweet, tangy and grape like in taste, it is a great source of vitamin C which is a key antioxidant helping to protect the body from free radical damage. Provides trace minerals such as copper which is needed for production of healthy red and white blood cells, along with manganese, which help enzymes function in the body. Found to have an antimicrobial effect which is useful in fighting infections.
Lychee - Native to southern China
Tastes like a combination of a pear and grape. Lychee has more vitamin C than oranges and more beta carotene than carrots. Working as an excellent digestive, it is a great fruit to eat after a big meal. Helps increase absorption of many fat-soluble vitamins. May prevent blood clots which benefits heart and stroke patients.
Mangosteen - Native to Sunda Islands and the Moluccas of Indonesia
Think citrus fuses with peach when it comes to the mangosteen flavor. Deemed the "Queen of Fruits", mangosteen is such a powerful antioxidant that it is claimed to have anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and immune boosting activity. Since the purplish skin contains an abundance of antioxidants but is inedible, mangosteen is often formulated as a juice so it can blend the bitter healthy skin with the sweeter fruit.
Durian - Native to Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia
Custardy in texture, durian is described as tasting like white chocolate with a hint of onion. Nicknamed the "King of Fruits," durian is an acquired taste which some will despise while others may relish. Because it smells like unwashed gym socks, durian is banned in hotels due to its offensive odor. Like a banana, durian is full of carbohydrates and potassium which provide the body with energy. It is rich in dietary fiber, making it a good colon detoxifier. A rare feature among fruits, durian is an excellent source of vitamin B-complex. Also contains high levels of tryptophan which is also known as nature's sleeping pill. Good source of vitamin C. High in cholesterol-free fat so may help underweight people.
Dragon Fruit - Native to Mexico and South and Central America
This low-calorie fruit resembles the flavor of melon and kiwi. Look out for the name pitaya because it is the same. Has a high amount of antioxidants and vitamin C. Eaten on a regular basis, its high fiber content may contribute to weight loss and promote regularity. May lower blood glucose levels helping those with type 2 diabetes.
Kumquat - Native to China
Sweet on the outside and sour in the middle, kumquats are dubbed the "little gems of the citrus family". However unlike other citrus fruits, do not even think about peeling the skin as it is sweet and is bursting with limonoids which are powerful anti-cancer compounds. Used as a remedy for sore throats when boiled.
Jackfruit - Native to southwestern India, Bangladesh, Philippines and Sri Lanka
Tasting like a blend of pineapple and banana, jackfruit is the largest fruit growing on trees in the world. Has anti-cancer, anti-ulcer and anti-aging phytonutrients, while also providing an excellent dose of vitamin C and potassium. Extract of jackfruit root has been found to be beneficial for those suffering from asthma and skin problems and may even help cure diarrhea and fever.
Dr Sandy Zabaneh is a US board-certified Doctor in Pharmacy who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Physiology from University of California, Davis. She is the Health Editor of U Magazine, clinical pharmacy consultant and life coach. Dr Sandy likes to follow the motto set forth by the World Health Organization in 1948:
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