Muntingia calabura, also known as Aratiles, Kerson fruit, and Jamaican Cherries, is a fast-growing tree, 5 to 10 meters high, with spreading branches. The leaves are hairy and sticky. The fruit is a berry, rounded, about 1.5 centimeters in diameter, red on ripening, smooth, fleshy, sweet and many-seeded. We're all familiar with apples, strawberries, grapes, oranges, and mangos, but not with this fruit and its ability to cure a variety of diseases.

By 2030, there will be an estimated 7.8 million diabetic Filipinos. The number of people with diabetes in the Philippines is expected to rise. Recently, a teenager from Iloilo has discovered that this fruit has potential anti-diabetic components.

Moreover, there are other benefits that we can get from this esoteric fruit aside from its anti-diabetic components. Studies have shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, cytotoxic, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, cardioprotective, antibacterial, antiulcer, insecticidal, tyrosinase-inhibitory, and antifungal properties.

Reduces Blood Pressure

You can make a tea out of this fruit and you will get a large amount of nitric oxide, a natural chemical that relaxes the blood vessels, helping the blood flow more smoothly in the body and thereby reducing the pressure.

Lessens Uric Acid

The color of the Jamaican Cherry also has its purpose. Its deep red skin contains an antioxidant known as Anthocyanin, which is useful in lessening, or better yet, avoiding, uric acid levels rising.

Anti-Bacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Properties

This fruit, which has a tart cherry-like flavor, has anti-bacterial components, making it a good source of antibacterial agents. Though the body has its own components that fight against bacteria, it also needs help or boosters to effectively avoid or fight bacteria.

Jamaican Cherries can also be a natural anti-inflammatory substance that helps in reducing swelling and inflammation of the joints in the body.

Relief From Gout

Gout is most common in men and can harm joints, tendons, and other tissues. Eating around 9 to 12 Jamaican Cherries in a day can give the person suffering from gout great relief. If you are suffering from this illness, you should try this fruit!

Antioxidant Properties

Jamaican Cherries are full of antioxidants. It has 24 different flavonoids and phenolic compounds. Antioxidants are substances that protect the cells against the effects of free radicals.

Headaches  

Tea made from the fruit or eating the fruit itself has been reported to aid in alleviating the pain of headaches. For those who are susceptible to migraines, perhaps this fruit can serve as a delicious and nutritious way of dealing with them.

Potential Anticancer Properties

The Jamaican Cherry Tree is full of amazing capabilities to alleviate various conditions. From the fruits to its leaves, the entire plant may be a miracle! Research also shows that the leaves of the said tree have properties that act to reduce and prevent the growth of cancerous tumors. However, further research is still needed to confirm its anti-cancer potential.  If proven by science, this tree would be another “tree of life”.

Aside from having a plethora of healthy compounds within the fruit, the Jamaican Cherry also possesses a taste like no other! Give this unconventional fruit a try and see the wonders of its magic.