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13 Amazing Health Benefits Of Kokam (Garcinia Indica)!

Garcinia Indica, popularly known as Kokam, is a rich antioxidant and is well-known as a famous summer drink. Also known as Vrikshamla in Ayurveda, the Garcinia Indica plant is found in the Western Ghats in India and in the Andaman Nicobar Islands.This fast-growing plant bears fruits that are small and red in colour (similar in size between plums and cherry tomatoes). Generally, the outer covering of this fruit is dried in the sun and then peeled off. The dried skin is then crushed into a sour and tasty spice. This spice finds an integral place in many Indian curries. And the fruit can be consumed directly and is known to offers multiple benefits.

Nutritional Value of Kokam:

Kokam is rich in nutrition. 100 grams of kokam provides 60 calories of energy. Though kokam is low in calories and fats, it is rich in fibre and provides around 2 grams of fibre per 100 grams. It also contains vitamin A, vitamin B3, vitamin C, folic acid, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese and zinc. Acetic acid and Hydroxycitric acid are also present in kokam.Here’s an overview of a few of those benefits: Many components of this fruit are blessed with anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, making this fruit a vital player, in handling many bacterial and viral infections. This is true for both topical as well as oral application. Studies have also proved that intestinal allergies can be reduced with the help of Garcinia Indica.Also Read: How To Boost Your Immunity? Kokum contains a compound called HCA (Hydroxycitric acid) which acts as an appetite suppressant. Another reason why Kokum can aid in weight loss is because of its high fibre content. Drinking a glass of refreshing Kokum juice not only makes one feel full but satisfied too. Garcinia Indica also reduces the conversion of carbohydrates to fats thereby making it a highly effective ingredient for weight management. Tired of trying all the available products to treat your cracked heels? Well, shift to Kokum for a quick resolution. Just mix kokum powder with any plant-based oil and apply it religiously to your heels. Leave it overnight and bask in the glory of smooth and silky heels in a few days. The sweet, tangy, and highly refreshing kokum sherbet can play an essential role in improving intestinal health. Patients suffering from acidity and indigestion are known to benefit immensely from drinking this beverage. Being a highly effective antioxidant, Vrikshamla is also used regularly in many anti-ageing treatments. Not only does it repair and heal but also helps combat skin and tissue damage.Also Read: 10 Foods That Are Good For the Skin Kokam fruit is a natural coolant and a glass of kokam juice gives us immense relief from the scorching heat in summers. It is amazingly refreshing and energizes us. It also prevents dehydration. Kokam is low in calories but rich in fibre. It has zero cholesterol and is a powerful antioxidant. It keeps our blood pressure under check because of the presence of minerals like magnesium, potassium and manganese. All of these factors protect our heart. Consumption of Kokam protects from cancer as it is a powerful antioxidant. It has anti-carcinogenic properties which scavenge the free radicals, safeguarding us from carcinogenesis. Kokam has eminent anti-diabetic potential.It is also a powerful antioxidant. It enhances the secretion of insulin in our body, thus preventing the rise in blood glucose levels. This makes kokum useful in the management of diabetes mellitus. Kokam contains flavonoids, hydroxycitric acid, garcinol and anthocyanins. All of them contribute to increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain. This helps in reducing anxiety and depression. Kokam protects our liver by preventing lipid peroxidation, due to its antioxidant potential. Kokam has also been known to improve digestion by soothing acid reflux and some of its symptoms like heartburn. In ancient Ayurvedic medicine, dried Kokam fruit has been used for ages to help with digestion and reduce the burning sensation caused in the stomach due to acidity. This dried Kokam fruit is often made into a juice and consumed after meals to both prevent as well as treat acidity (or acid reflux). Therefore, you can easily use this as a home remedy for indigestion and acidity.   This simple fruit has also been observed to have significant effects on mental health. It can help to reduce anxiety, stress, and has a calming effect on the mind. This is because Kokam promotes the production of a hormone called serotonin which is responsible for improving your mood. This also leads to the stimulation of the brain keeping your mind active and helping to reduce stress as well. You can also consume Kokam to help eliminate negative thoughts and lead a healthy as well as happy life.

How to use Kokum?

Also Read: 9 Proven Health Benefits of Avocados
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