The rambutan fruit — or Nephelium lappaceum — is an exotic fruit indigenous to Southeast Asia. The fruit resembles lychees, with a thin, leather-like skin and multiple spiky structures sticking out of it, almost exactly like a sea urchin.

It has also been referred to as a "super fruit" because of its numerous health benefits. Here are some of them:

Decreases unwanted fat

The fruit can be effective in reducing the body’s fat content because of its high fiber and water content and low calorie count.

Source of iron

Rambutan is rich in iron — a nutrient that is essential for the human body to function. It is used by the body to transport oxygen from the lungs to the different tissues and its deficiency can cause conditions like anemia.

Skin and hair care

As the fruit has high water content, it helps in hydrating the skin, making it soft. It also has a similar effect on the quality of hair.

Rich in Vitamin C

Rambutan has a high quantity of Vitamin C. Consuming ten to twelve fruits can provide the body with 75-90 mg ascorbic acid. The vitamin helps avoid cell damage and enables the assimilation of iron in the body.

Improves sperm quality

The quantity of Vitamin C in the rambutan is also very important for sperm development, and a lack of it in males can result in restricted reproductory abilities. The ingestion of the fruit reportedly enhances both the quality and quantity of sperm.

Anti-Cancer

Research carried out by the University of Chiang Mai in Thailand reportedly discovered that the fruit contains effective antioxidants known as flavonoids — several varieties of which are thought to decrease cholesterol levels, and believed to have anti-cancer properties.

RELATED STORIES