Dewa (monkey jack) was once a very familiar fruit in rural Bangladesh. It is seen less often in markets today, but it is in no way inferior in nutrition. Sour when unripe and soft with a distinctive taste when ripe, this fruit does more than please the palate; it brings many benefits for the body.

Rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibre, dewa helps with everything from improving digestion to strengthening immunity. Here are some of the remarkable health benefits of this local fruit.

Dewa is rich in dietary fibre, which helps keep digestion normal. Eating it regularly keeps the gut working well and can ease constipation, and it may be especially useful for people with long-standing digestive problems. Fibre helps clear waste from the gut, keeping the body fresh.

The vitamin C and various antioxidants in dewa help boost immunity and help the body fight different infections. Vitamin C also plays an important part in reducing the risk of seasonal colds, coughs and common viral problems.

Free radicals form in the body all the time and can damage cells. The antioxidants in dewa help reduce their effect, slowing cell damage and helping keep the body healthy in the long term.

The iron in dewa helps the blood make haemoglobin. People who suffer from anaemia or weakness can include dewa in their diet as a seasonal fruit; iron-rich food is particularly important for women.

The potassium in dewa helps control blood pressure. It helps keep the body's sodium in balance, which helps reduce the risk of heart disease, and eating dewa as part of a regular healthy diet may benefit heart health.

Illness or hot weather can often cause a loss of appetite. The sweet-sour taste of dewa can help bring it back, and in rural areas it has long been used as an appetiser. On hot days, eating dewa may help with excessive thirst or discomfort, as its natural flavour and nutrients help keep the body refreshed. In many areas sherbet and bhorta are made from it.

In folk medicine dewa is considered good for the liver. Ripe dewa is believed to improve digestion and may help maintain normal liver function.

Its various nutrients help maintain overall health. By popular belief it may also help improve memory, though more research is needed on this.

This report draws on Health Benefits Times, the Times of India and other sources.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.