Is lucuma a Superfood?

The health benefits of lucuma As expected, the superfood is full of healthy components like beta carotene, iron, zinc, vitamin B3, calcium and protein. It’s also championed as an anti-aging food and promotes cardiovascular health.

What is lucuma disease?

In alternative medicine, lucuma is said to reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, lower blood pressure, and protect against some forms of cancer. Lucuma is also touted as a low-glycemic alternative to sugar for people with diabetes.

Is lucuma related to avocado?

Now there’s a new Peruvian superfood that looks like the avocado’s half-sibling. It’s called lucuma (loo-coo-ma), and it’s known as the “gold of the Incas.”

How do you eat lucuma?

Lucuma can be consumed fresh, out-of-hand, and has a unique, sweet flavoring. The skin and seeds are generally discarded, and only the flesh is eaten. Though the fruit can be consumed fresh, it is more popularly dried and ground into a powder for use as a sugar substitute.

What kind of fruit is lucuma?

Lucuma is the fruit of the Pouteria lucuma tree native to South America. It has a hard, green outer shell and soft, yellow flesh with a dry texture and sweet flavor that’s often likened to a mix of sweet potato and butterscotch (1).

What can you do with lucuma?

As a flavoring agent, lucuma powder adds a hint of sweetness and a distinct maple-like flavor to food. It’s popular in smoothies, ice cream, yogurt, oatmeal, chia pudding, nut milks, and Peruvian lucuma ice cream, and it works as a sugar substitute in many baked goods.

Does lucuma lower blood pressure?

Summary Lucuma contains heart-healthy polyphenols. lowering your blood pressure.

What goes well with lucuma?

The slightly sweet taste of lucuma pairs well with more bitter herbal teas or coffee. To sweeten a single-serving smoothie, use one to two tablespoons of powder. As a flavoring: Mix the desired amount of lucuma powder into oatmeal or yogurt, topped with cacao nibs, coconut shreds, almonds, or cashews.

How does lucuma taste?

What does lucuma taste like? Some people describe lucuma as creamy and citrusy with a hint of caramel or maple. Others have compared it to sweet potato. It also has a sweet smell.

Does lucuma have an aftertaste?

In South America, lucuma is usually eaten as is, although it is said to have a powerful aftertaste when consumed as a whole fruit. Alternatively, lucuma’s extremely sweet flesh often is made into syrups, used as pie-fillings, canned preserves, or ice cream.

Can you eat lucuma?

Lucuma can be eaten raw but is most commonly found in a dried, powdered supplement form that’s often used as a natural sweetener.

Is lucuma a laxative?

Lucuma powder also offers a relatively good amount of both soluble and insoluble fiber, unlike most other common sweeteners, such as table sugar. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to your stool and prevents constipation by helping food move smoothly through your gut ( 4 ).