Lucuma is considered a nutrient-rich superfood that you can get in this country mainly as a powder. In this article you will find out how healthy the exotic fruit actually is.
What is Lucuma?
Lucuma is a plant species primarily native to Peru, Chile and Ecuador. These are trees that grow to be about ten to twenty meters tall. The fruits that are eaten fresh in South America are particularly interesting for agriculture.
The fruits have a brownish-green to yellow skin and yellow, relatively dry flesh. In Europe and the USA you can usually buy Lucuma in powder form. Since the fruit is very sweet, the exotic powder is not only considered a superfood, but also a healthy sugar alternative.
Lucuma: The “Gold of the Incas”?
Through advertising slogans and other marketing strategies, Lucuma is now known as the “Gold of the Incas” and is said to promote our health as a natural remedy. Among other things, Lucuma should:
strengthen our immune system
have a digestive effect
promote muscle regeneration
strengthen bones and teeth
beautify the complexion
These effects are mostly attributed to the high content of fiber and minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. According to the consumer center, however, there are no scientific studies that would confirm any of these effects.
In addition, it has not yet been clarified in which quantities the above-mentioned ingredients are actually present in the ground powder. The information on vitamins and minerals usually refers to the fresh fruit. In addition, consumers usually only use small amounts of the powder, so that Lucuma can ultimately only cover a minimal part of the daily required nutrients.
Since the fruit is very sweet, the powder contains 85 grams per 100 grams of carbohydrates, of which almost 30 grams are sugar. That’s why you should only eat lucuma powder in moderation.
According to the consumer center, there are also no scientific studies on possible side effects and risks of Lucuma powder, such as drug interactions or allergic reactions.
Native alternatives to the exotic Lucuma
You can also get all the nutrients that are in the fresh Lucuma fruit from regional foods. Among other things, Lucuma is rich in vitamin C, which is also found in large quantities in many other types of fruit and vegetables. Local vitamin C sources include, for example, berries, parsley, Brussels sprouts and kale, as well as broccoli.
The South American fruit also contains large amounts of vitamin B3 or niacin. This is actually unusual for a fruit, since the vitamin is otherwise more likely to be found in animal products such as meat, fish and offal. Nevertheless, as a vegan, you can cover your daily needs well if you regularly eat legumes, dried fruits, nuts and whole grains.
Advertising slogans also praise the high antioxidant content of lucuma powder. According to superfood companies, these should protect against serious diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The consumer center reports that these effects have not been fully scientifically proven and are often overestimated. In addition, many local fruits and vegetables contain sufficient amounts of antioxidants.
You can find dietary fiber, which gets your digestion going, in most fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts or whole grains.
From an ecological point of view, lucuma is problematic because the fruit has to travel long distances to Europe, which causes high CO2 emissions. Additional energy is also required to dry the fruit and grind it into powder. From an ecological point of view, it is therefore more advisable to use local food and avoid expensive, exotic superfoods.
