Would you believe if we told you that a fruit can be an impeccable source to support the bones and make them stronger? That is the fruit mamey sapote, simply called sapote among locals in many countries. It has a large number of nutrients, including calcium and phosphorus. The fruit is a berry, mostly ovoid or ellipsoidal in shape and russet brown in colour. Let's dive into the goodness of nutrient-packed mamey sapote.

Introduction

Before getting to know about the richness of sapote, let's give a small introduction to the fruit. Pouteria sapote is the scientific name of this fruit, and it is a species native to Mexico and Central America, initially cultivated in parts of the Caribbean. It is mostly eaten in Latin America and is also made into a lot of food products, such as ice cream and shakes. 

It is a tropical fruit which has sweet, creamy and orange-red flesh that tastes like an absolute mix of fruits. There are a vast number of health benefits of the sapote, which mainly include cardiovascular health, weight management, immune system booster, making teeth and bones much stronger, replenishing haemoglobin and blood vessels, and increasing energy levels. 

Understanding bone health

Bones play such a crucial role in giving solid structure to the body, preventing organs from injuries, supporting muscles and providing calcium to the whole system. For healthy bones from childhood, we need to eat fruits and vegetables to prevent diseases from occurring earlier. When we are younger, our body makes new bones much faster compared to the older age and our bone mass increases.

After the age of 30, people may develop osteoporosis, which causes the bone to be weaker and the stamina won’t remain the same. The factors that majorly affect bone health are physical activity, calcium intake, tobacco and alcohol use, sex, age, hormone levels, and certain medications. 

Mamey sapote and bone health

Mamey sapote contains copper, calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron, which helps to increase bone density to a much higher level, helping to resist accidents and broken bones. Consuming fruits and vegetables that have high levels of potassium further strengthens and prolongs the life of bones.

Incorporating mamey sapote in our diet

• We can eat the ripe fruit pulp as it is if we want it fresh out of hand, half-shelled
• It can also be made into a milkshake, ice cream, smoothies, frozen sherbets, and sauces and the fruit is also preserved and can be made into jelly and jam
• There is called a Spanish sherbet for which the pulp is taken from this fruit and accustomed into it
• In the preparation of guava cheese, the pulp is employed
• Seeds can be boiled, and mixed with cocoa powder, which can be used in the preparation of chocolate
• In making marmalades or jelly, sapote can be used

Lifestyle factors for optimal bone health

Good nutrition and physical activity are to be employed throughout our lives for optimal stamina and bone strength. Vitamin D is also an important promoter of good bone health, but the real problem is our intake of calcium. Our main source of vitamin D is sunlight, so one should make the most of it, as Vitamin D can prevent many diseases.

Vitamin D levels will deteriorate as we age but it is important to have sun exposure to maintain these levels.. However, excess Vitamin D is toxic to the human body, as it can lead to hypercalcemia, renal failure, and calcification of soft tissue. Many individuals take medications that can significantly affect bone health. Therefore, it is important that the dosage that is given to the patients should not affect their bone density or bone stamina.

Summary

Mamey sapote presents itself as flavourful and nutritious in the pursuit of bone health. It has an essential number of vitamins and minerals that aid in fortifying bones and improving overall well-being. Adding sapote to your diet in addition to lifestyle factors such as regular exercise and adequate sun exposure may be of benefit to health and promote strong and healthy bones.