16 Amazing Health Benefits of Tamarillo Fruits

The tamarillo or tree tomatoes, locally known as 'ibinyomoro' is a small tree or shrub in the flowering plant family Solanaceae( the nightshade family ). It is best known as the species that bears the tamarillo, an egg-shaped edible fruit. It is also known as the tree tomato, tomate Andino, tomate serrano, tomate de yuca, sachatomate, berenjena, tamamoro, and tomate de `arbol in South America.
They are popular globally, especially in New Zealand, Australia, and America.

Plant historians believe that tamarillo trees are native to the Peruvian Andes, and probably also Bolivia, Ecuador and Chile. It seems to have disappeared from its native habitat, but it is currently cultivated and has naturalized in Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela and Argentia.
 The tamarillo tree has been an important commercial crop in Zealand since the 1920s, where it is sometimes known as the New Zealand tree tomato plant. The plant gained popularity in that country after World War 11, when tropical, vitamin-C-producing plants were in short supply.

According to tree tomato history, Argentinian seeds were provided to the U.S. Department of A agriculture in 1913, followed by seeds from Sumatra and Ceylon a few years later. Although it is grown in Florida and California, tamarillo trees aren't an important crop in the United States. However, it is popular in temperate-climate gardens. In cooler climates, it is often grown as a unique indoor plant. It is relatively easy to grow and the fruits are highly nutritious.

The first internationally marketed crop of tamarillo in Australia was produced around 1996, although permaculture and exotic fruit enthusiasts had increasingly grown the fruit around the country from the mid-1970s on. In New Zealand, about 2,000 tons are produced on 200 hectares of land and exported to the United States, Japan and Europe. For the export, the existing marketing channels developed for the kiwifruit are used.

The tamarillo is also successfully grown at higher elevations of Malaysia and Philippines, and in Puerto Rico. In the hot tropical lowlands, it develops only small fruit setting is seldom. Prior to 1967, the tamarillo was known as the ''tree tomato'' in New Zealand Tree Tomato Promotions Council in order to distinguish it from the ordinary garden tomato and increase its exotic appeal.

The plant is a fast-growing tree that grows up to 5 meters. Peak production is reached after 4 years, and the life expectancy is about 12 years. The tree usually forms a single upright trunk with lateral branches. The flowers and fruits hang from the lateral branches. The leaves are large, simple and perennial, and have a strong pungent smell. The flowers are pink-white and form a cluster of 10 to 50 flowers. They produce 1 to 6 fruits per cluster. Plants can set fruit without cross-pollination, but the flowers are fragrant and attract insects. Cross-pollination seems to improve fruit set. The roots are shallow and not very pronounced, therefore the plant is not tolerant of drought stress and can be damaged by strong winds. Tamarillos will hybridize with many other Solanaceae, though the hybrid fruits will be sterile, and unpalatable in some instances.

The fruits are egg-shaped and about 4-10 centimetres long. Their colour varies from yellow and orange to red and almost purple. Sometimes they have dark, longitudinal stripes. Red fruits are more acetous, yellow and orange fruits are sweeter. The flesh has a firm texture and contains more and larger seeds than a common tomato. The fruits are very high in vitamins and iron and low in calories (only about 40 calories per fruit).


16. Health Benefits of Tamarillo Fruits



1. Cures Inflamed Tonsils

In Ecuador, the natives warmed tamarillo leaves and wrapped them around the neck to treat inflamed tonsils. The absorption of heat via leaves helps reduce pain. The Columbians make a poultice of the fruit by cooking it in embers for external medicinal use.

2. Good For Skin

Tamarillo offers vitamins A, C and E to ensure your skin stays healthy and radiant. Anthocyanin, phenols and flavonoids protect the skin from oxidative stress, pollution. Tamarillo also helps in anti-ageing just as regular tomatoes, these can be used in home remedies for various skin problems

 3. Good For Eyesight

Tamarillo fruits are also very good for maintaining healthy eyesight. Vitamin A restores the moisture of the membranes of the eyes which act as a barrier to bacteria and viruses. It protects the eyes from infections and reduces the damage of eye disorders such as cataract and macular degeneration.

4. Vitamins

. VitaminsTamarillo is packed with vitamins A, C, E and pro-vitamin A. It has a good source of B-complex vitamins such as niacin, thiamine. and riboflavin. Other nutrients in tamarillo are carbohydrates, protein, fat, calcium, potassium and sodium. It also contains minerals such as phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, copper, zinc and iron. It is fortified with many nutrients that help improve the immune system.

5.Cancer

Anthocyanins contained in the darker tamarillo have potent antioxidants, which help combat free radicals that cause cancer. They also have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that stave off cancerous outbreaks.

6. For Cardiovascular Health

The mineral and vitamins in tamarillo are said to alleviate high cholesterol and blood pressure levels along with atherosclerosis prevention. The nutrients can help widening arteries that allow proper blood flow and prevent blood clotting. Tamarillo is also loaded with manganese and potassium that are necessary to maintain heartbeat and rhythm.

7.  Boosts Immune System

Tamarillo contains similar amounts of vitamin C like citrus fruits thus; it is beneficial for your immune system as well. Regular consumption of vitamin C can strengthen and protect immune cells fighting infectious bacteria and microorganism infection.

8. Prevents Anemia

Iron is an essential mineral to consume as it promotes the production of red blood cells in your body that prevent you from falling prey to anaemia. It brings plenty of illnesses such as weakness, sudden fatigue, dizziness, etc. You can incorporate tamarillo into your daily routine to fight anaemia or to produce more red blood cells. Nutritionists encourage taking precautions in this regard as the red cells are responsible for transferring oxygen and various nutrient to your body parts.

 9. Boosts Metabolism

Your metabolism functions to provide energy to your body.N nutritionists also stated that a boosted metabolism could help reduce excess body weight. Therefore, you need to consume foods that are enriched with vitamins and minerals. That is where tamarillo comes into the picture as it has a high content of vitamin B complex. The latter is essential regarding the production of various metabolic enzymes. When your metabolism obtains required nutrients, it brings functioning accordingly that results in an adequate level of energy and boosted metabolic rate.

10. For Digestive System

The high content of dietary fibre found in the sweet and sour tamarillo as it can help alleviate various digestive problems including diarrhoea and bloating. Consuming the fruit regularly promotes digestion and help your body absorb nutrients. It can also relieve constipation clearing colon and large intestines. Moreover, the fruit is said to promote the growth of good bacteria in your gut and eliminate bad bacteria effectively. Nutrients also suggest incorporating at least 2-3 serving of tamarillo into the diet of senior people due to their constant digestive issues. The fruit is surely a quick and safe way to regulate irregular bowel movements as well.

11. Prevent Kidney Stone

Citric acid helps to avoid the growth and development of kidney stones. It provides protective benefits with the excretion of excess calcium as well as the uric acid from the body. The presence of citric acid in Tamarillo causes acidic flavour. Add tamarillo to the diet to lower the chances of kidney stones. But not scientific evidence has been found on benefits provided by tamarillos on kidney stones.


12. Brain Health

Tamarillo contains a high antioxidant that can protect the brain cells from damage and keeping healthy nerve function within the brain. Alzheimer and Parkinson disease is a disorder that caused by damage in the brain and causing memory loss and paralyzes body.

13. Weight Loss

Tamarillo is an antitoxin and antioxidant fruit that is why it is a strong Detoxifier. Tamarillo has Acidic properties as well as protein, vitamin, minerals that are helpful in burning extra fat and maintaining essential elements in the body. Tamarillo contains a large number of Phytochemicals but low in calories. 100 g of fresh fruit contains 13 calories, which makes Tamarillo a suitable diet for weight loss. Moreover, dietary fibre also maintains a healthy weight loss diet.

14. Lower Blood Pressure

Researchers from the university's Department of food science found tamarillos contain a good amount of potassium, as much as approximately 400 milligrams per 100 grams fresh weight. The Food and Drug Administration recommends we have 4, 700 milligrams of potassium per day through fresh fruits and vegetables, the tamarillo proves to be beneficial in this regard. It is suggested that a diet that is filled with colourful fruits and vegetables may help cut systolic blood pressure by more than 10 points in those dealing with high blood pressure issues.

15. Lowers Blood Sugar

Tamarillo contains fibre that can stabilize the blood sugar level within the body and is also a food with a low glycemic index that didn't cause the risks of blood sugar. Tamarillo also contains chlorogenic acid that plays important role in delay the onset of diabetes and increases insulin sensitivity. Consuming tamarillo can significantly help to prevent the development of diabetes especially type 2 diabetes.

16. Reduce Cholesterol

Tamarillo fruits are good for reducing cholesterol level. Tamarillo contains fibre that can increase the good cholesterol and decrease the level of bad cholesterol within the body. Consuming tamarillo after eating high cholesterol food or long the meal can help you to reduce the effect of cholesterol.