Garcinia indica, commonly known as kokum, is a plant native to the Asian and African tropics. The fruit of Garcinia indica is traditionally used in culinary, medicinal, and aromatic applications.
The health benefits of Garcinia indicaÂ
Garcinia indica is a tree that produces small, red, plum-like fruits. The rind of the fruit is dried, ground and used for spices; kokum fruit can be eaten dried or fresh. The beneficial compounds in the fruit include antioxidants, garcinol, and numerous vitamins. It is especially high in vitamin C.
Traditional medicine attributes Garcinia indica with preventing disease, improving digestion, boosting the immune system, reducing inflammation, and fighting type 2 diabetes.
The following are just a few of the potential health benefits of Garcinia indica:
Digestive aid
Garcinia indica may help to reduce bloating and speed up digestion. The compounds in kokum assist beneficial gut bacteria to break down food and work to reduce inflammation.
Skin health
Kokum is packed full of antioxidants that help keep skin looking young. The fruit not only makes a healthy snack, it can also be applied to the skin as a beauty treatment. Both external and internal applications can help to boost the appearance of skin and fight free radical damage.
Inflammation
One major factor behind chronic internal inflammation is an unhealthy diet. The link between chronic inflammation and many health problems has been widely researched. Garcinia indica contains compounds that may help to reduce inflammation in the body.
Immune system boosterÂ
Garcinia indica is packed with vitamin C, which helps to boost the immune system. This plant also contains well-researched antibacterial and antiviral properties.
Cancer fighter
The high concentration of antioxidants in kokum can help to fight free radicals, which are known to cause cell damage. High levels of antioxidants in the body may help to reduce cancer risk by neutralizing free radicals and preventing the spread of cancerous cells.Â
Cognitive health and memory
Garcinia indica contains large amounts of garcinol, which may help reduce oxidation in the brain, potentially leading to greater mental clarity and cognitive health. Regular intake of garcinol could help prevent degenerative brain conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
Heart problemsÂ
Garcinol not only helps fight oxidation in the brain, it also fights oxidation elsewhere in the body, including the heart. Oxidation in the heart can lead to clogged arteries, which contribute to heart disease. Garcinia indica contains compounds that help fight oxidation, thus potentially reducing the risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and heart attacks.Â
Kokum can provide a wide range of benefits for overall health. While not often sold fresh in grocery stores, Garcinia indica is available in supplement form — just make sure you choose a high-quality supplement from a source you trust. It can also be purchased in dried fruit form, making it easy to add to your weekly intake of healthy foods.
—The Alternative DailyÂ
Sources:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0963996911000871 Â Â
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3600525
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/bk-2013-1129.ch008
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/garcinia-indica.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2964765
