5 Exotic Latin American Fruits To Try For Better Health

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Latin America is home to some of the world's most colourful and exotic fruits. While some of the fruits can only be found in Latin America, there also some that can be found in many parts of the world and are proven beneficial to your health.

One of the many delights when travelling to Latin America is the sheer amount of various tropical fruits. While some are exotic, most them are already quite popular. More so, they give you health benefits that you are not aware of.

So, here's five exotic Latin American Fruits you should try for better health:

Mangoosteen

While mangoosteens grow mainly in Southeast Asia, they also thrive in tropical South American countries such as Colombia and Puerto Rico, reports Indie Traveller. Inside of the fruit, you will find a sweet white flesh that resembles garlic cloves. The taste is somewhat similar to a pear but with a stronger consistency.

Nutrition reports that mangoosteens are rarely sold fresh in Western countries but they are rick in antioxidants that help fight cancer.

Lychee

This fruit originated in China but is already grown in many places such as in Thailand and Brazil. You may also get them in Europe but they're not very common, and usually they already canned or preserved. Lychees have a sweet delicate taste, kind of between a pear and a grape.

According to Nutrition, lychee is abundant with oligonol which is believed to have anti-oxidant and anti-viral properties. It is also an excellent source of vitamin C.

Dragon Fruit

Also known as Pitaya, this fruit grows throughout Asia. Some people may find them a little bland or tastes like watermelon. The dragon fruit comes in two varieties: pink and yellow, reports Indie Traveller. The much sweeter yellow version is abundant in Latin America. It actually originates in Mexico and grows on cacti.

Dragon fruit is also rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, reports Food Facts.

Guanabana (Soursop)

Healthy Eating describes soursop as a large, spiny green tropical fruit with a sweet flesh that is used as a base for many beverages, ice creams and other foods popular in South America.

According to Cancer Center, the fruit contains some compounds that are naturally anti-viral and anti-parasitic. They are also found to suppress inflammation. The juice of the fruit can be taken orally as a remedy for urethritis, haematuria and liver ailments.

Guavasteen

Also called as pineapple guava, guavasteen is very fragrant, consists of a green round or oval berry with white flesh. The flavour resembles of pineapple and strawberry, reports Healthy Happy Life Tips. The texture is a bit gritty like sand, reports Indie Traveller. In fact, the pulp is used in some natural cosmetic products as an exfoliant.

The fruit is rich in Vitamin C and B6 and also contains Iodine. It is found to speed metabolism, fight free radicals and has anti-bacterial properties.

Watch on how to make a soursop smoothie in the video below: