Exploring The Diverse Health Benefits Of Black Sapote's Parts

Overview of black sapote

The Black Sapote, scientifically known as Diospyros digyna, is a fruit from the Ebenaceae family that is largely grown in various American locations, particularly in its native Mexico. This climacteric fruit is an excellent delicacy, valued for its versatility in consumption, whether fresh or in various processed forms. Despite its popularity, its nutritional value is neglected, creating an unrealized potential for novel processed items. Its exceptional organoleptic properties increase its value, making it a popular component, especially in desserts.

However, there is a huge gap in the understanding of its postharvest physiology and appropriate handling circumstances, which limits its full potential. The fruit's susceptibility to freezing injury, as well as the challenge given by its unusually soft texture when mature, highlight the importance of study in developing guidelines for effective handling and shipment.^{1, 2}

Nutritional potential of black sapote

Black Sapote's culinary appeal extends beyond taste, with rich phenolic compounds and carotenoids contributing to its characteristic dark brown hue. It is rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, and calcium, making it an excellent functional food with the potential to improve health and wellness. Black Sapote, with its emphasis on bioactive and nutritional characteristics, distinguishes out for possible health advantages and antibacterial properties, making it a versatile choice for both culinary and medical uses, uncovering a wealth of undiscovered nutritional and functional benefits.¹

Health benefits of plant-based nutrition

The rising global demand for nutritious foods, particularly high-protein options, is shifting towards plant-based alternatives due to sustainability concerns with animal-based proteins. Plant-based diets offer health benefits like reduced risks of obesity, cancers, and cardiovascular diseases, attributed to rich sources of phytochemicals and phytonutrients. Understanding these benefits is crucial for addressing global health challenges. Research, guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior, highlights reduced risk of chronic illnesses, improved well-being, and ethical/environmental benefits, despite barriers like taste preferences and social factors.⁴

Overview of black sapote's nutritional content

Black sapote's phytochemical profile, encompassing its peel, pulp, and seeds, showcases rich nutritional content. The peel boasts flavan-3-ols and proanthocyanidins, while the seeds contain significant organic acids like ferulic, citric, and sinapic acids. Both edible and non-edible parts demonstrate potent antioxidative properties, effectively preventing lipid peroxidation in cell-based models. 

Remarkably, peel extracts exhibit 7/12-fold higher antioxidant activity than the edible portion, emphasizing the fruit's potential as a source of antioxidant-rich phytochemicals, even in typically discarded non-edible portions, for developing functional foods and supplements.⁵

The diverse benefits of various parts of black sapote

Black sapote has potential health benefits, including its antimicrobial properties and its traditional use in treating various ailments. Overall, black sapote has numerous health benefits, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and nutritional characteristics, making it a promising ingredient for functional and processed food products.¹

The phytochemical profile and antioxidant properties of both edible and non-edible portions of black sapote include several bioactive compounds distributed among the peel, pulp, and seeds. 

The peel was particularly rich in flavan-3-ols and proanthocyanidins. In terms of antioxidant activity, the peel showed 7-12-fold higher activity than the edible portion.⁵ 

Black sapote peel powder contains catechin, epicatechin, and chlorogenic acid, highlighting their potential health-promoting properties. The peels, often considered by-products, emerged as valuable sources of antioxidants, suggesting their potential applications in functional food design or as natural food preservatives.⁶

The seeds contained high amounts of organic acids, including ferulic, citric, and sinapic acids. Additionally, seed extracts demonstrated a notable modulation of catalase gene expression, indicating a role in antioxidant protection. 

Both peel and seed portions exhibited significant prevention of lipid peroxidation in a cell-based model, suggesting potential health benefits.

Overall, the results suggested that black sapote, with its diverse health-promoting compounds distributed in different parts of the fruit, holds significant potential for the production of functional foods and supplements. Both edible and non-edible components of black sapote, emphasise their nutraceutical attributes and potential benefits for human health. However, it is often considered an exotic and underutilized fruit and is a rich source of antioxidant phytochemicals. The non-edible portions, typically discarded as waste, displayed promising phytochemical compositions.⁵

Health benefits of black sapote fruit

Black sapote, in a 100-gram serving, offers 75 calories, 0.9g protein, 0.2g fat, and 19g carbohydrates. Its notable fibre, vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and mineral content provide significant health benefits. 

The fibre supports digestion, regulates blood sugar, and lowers cholesterol. Abundant antioxidants help combat free radicals, potentially preventing chronic diseases. 

The potassium content contributes to lower blood pressure, promoting blood vessel relaxation. 

Additionally, vitamin C enhances the immune system, while the combination of potassium and fibre improves heart health. The fruit also stimulates collagen production, promoting healthy skin.⁷

Black sapote leaves for health

Black sapote leaves have been found to possess significant antimicrobial properties against acne-associated bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. 

Extracts using n-hexane, ethanol, and water demonstrated notable antimicrobial effects, presenting a promising natural alternative amidst growing concerns about antibiotic resistance. 

Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of bioactive compounds, while quantification of total phenolic and flavonoid content underscored the leaves' health-promoting attributes. 

These findings enhance our understanding of black sapote leaves' multifaceted health benefits, suggesting their potential role in inhibiting bacterial growth and their application in acne treatment.⁸

Culinary uses and health impact

Black sapote is a nutritional powerhouse, rich in dietary fibre, promoting digestion and lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes. Packed with essential nutrients like calcium, magnesium, iron, and potassium, it supports cardiovascular health, while vitamins A and C enhance skin and eyesight. The fruit's antioxidants, including polyphenols and carotenoids, combat oxidative damage, potentially improving overall health. Studies suggest a role in lowering cholesterol and mitigating heart disease risks. Beyond health benefits, black sapote adds a custardy flavour reminiscent of chocolate and banana to diverse culinary creations, making it ideal for desserts, smoothies, salads, and savoury dishes. Its versatility contributes to both flavour and nutrition in a well-rounded, healthy diet.^{7, 9}

Black sapote recipes 

Beyond physical health, anecdotal evidence suggests that black sapote may have positive effects on mental well-being, potentially reducing stress and anxiety due to its vitamin richness. While more research is needed in this area, the fruit's versatility makes it a valuable addition to fruit baskets.¹⁰

To incorporate black sapote into your diet, consider trying various recipes:

• Black Sapote Mousse: Blend pulp with powdered sugar and vanilla, fold in whipped cream, and serve chilled.
• Black Sapote Cake: Mix margarine with honey, add egg yolks and pulp, combine dry ingredients, beat and fold in egg whites, and bake.
• Black Sapote Bread: Mash fruit with melted butter, add sugar, egg, and vanilla, combine with flour mixture, pour into pan, and bake.
• Mousse: Blend pulp, sugar, and vanilla, fold in whipped cream, chill.
• Cake: Combine margarine, honey, yolks, and pulp; mix dry ingredients, beat egg whites, fold into the mixture, and bake.¹¹

Black sapote pigments: natural colourants for healthier food alternatives

• Black sapote pigments, obtained through fermentation, serve as natural colourants for healthier foods.
• Fermentation, particularly with L. rhamnosus, enhances antioxidant capacity and phenolic compounds.
• The resulting powders maintain stable light brown colours despite decreased antioxidant capacity during drying.
• Powders from L. casei and L. rhamnosus fermentation exhibit favourable physical characteristics.
• The addition of these pigments to gummy bear formulations alters colour parameters without affecting overall acceptability, offering a healthy substitute for synthetic colorants.¹¹

Possible risks and precautions

Consuming black sapote may pose certain risks and precautions that individuals should be aware of:

• Allergic Reactions:  Individuals prone to allergies may experience rash, itchiness, or nausea after consuming black sapote. Immediate cessation of consumption is recommended if such reactions occur.
• Interaction with Medications: Black sapote may interfere with the effectiveness of certain medications. Individuals undergoing medical treatment should avoid consuming the fruit to prevent any potential adverse interactions.
• Impact on Blood Sugar Levels: Due to its sweet taste and complex carbohydrates, black sapote has the potential to elevate blood sugar levels. Diabetic patients should exercise caution and consider limiting or avoiding the consumption of this fruit to manage their blood sugar levels effectively.¹²

FAQs

1. Is black sapote healthy? 

Yes, it offers health benefits, including antioxidants, nutrients, and potential preventive effects.

2. What is black sapote fruit? 

Diospyros digyna, a climacteric fruit with custardy chocolate-like flavour.

3. Is black sapote a good substitute for chocolate? 

Yes, its custardy flavour makes it a chocolate substitute in various recipes.

Summary

Black Sapote, scientifically known as Diospyros digyna, offers a diverse range of health benefits, with its nutritional richness often overlooked. Despite being a popular delicacy, gaps in understanding its postharvest physiology limit its full potential. Rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, and calcium, Black Sapote proves to be an excellent functional food with potential health improvements.

Its phytochemical profile, distributed in edible and non-edible parts, showcases antioxidant-rich peel and seed extracts. These components demonstrate significant prevention of lipid peroxidation, suggesting health benefits. Black Sapote leaves exhibit antimicrobial potential, contributing to acne treatment. The fruit's incorporation into traditional medicine practices and its culinary versatility further enhance its value.

However, precautions are advised due to potential allergic reactions, medication interactions, and the fruit's impact on blood sugar levels. Overall, understanding the diverse health benefits of Black Sapote encourages its utilization in both functional foods and traditional remedies.