Unlock the Power of Ice Apples: Discover the Top 5 Benefits for Your Summer Diet

Explore the Refreshing Taste and Health Advantages of Incorporating Ice Apples into Your Seasonal Routine

By Khushi Maheshwari

As temperatures rise and the scorching summer sun bears down, it’s essential to prioritise staying cool and nourished to combat the challenges of the sweltering season. While staying hydrated is crucial, maintaining a balanced diet can significantly contribute to overall well-being. Embracing juicy fruits like Ice Apples, also known as toddy palm, palmyra palm, or nungu, can be a game-changer for summer nutrition. Widely available in India and across Southeast Asia from April to June, Ice Apples offer a delightful taste reminiscent of soft coconut water with a lychee-like texture.

Despite their popularity in southern India, Ice Apples, scientifically known as Borassus flabellifer, remain lesser-known in many other regions of the country. However, their nutritional profile is impressive, boasting high levels of calcium, fibre, protein, carbohydrates, phytonutrients, and essential vitamins such as C, A, E, and K. Additionally, Ice Apples are rich in minerals like phosphorus, zinc, potassium, and iron, making them a powerhouse of nutrients ideal for summertime consumption.

Ice Apples can be enjoyed in various forms, whether eaten raw or incorporated into beverages like sharbat, desserts such as kheer and peda, or even paired with ice cream for a delightful treat. Not only do they offer a refreshing way to beat the heat, but they also contribute significantly to overall health during the summer months.

Here are the top 5 benefits of including Ice Apples, or Tadgola, in your summer diet:

1. Hydration: Ice Apples boast a water content of over 95%, making them an excellent choice for maintaining hydration levels, especially in regions experiencing intense summer heat. Their abundance of essential vitamins and minerals supports overall health and helps prevent dehydration, aiding in the maintenance of a robust immune system.
2. Improves Digestion: Rich in fibre, Ice Apples promote healthy digestion by supporting regular bowel movements, blood sugar regulation, and cholesterol control. For every 100 grams, there is 15 grams of fibre. Incorporating seasonal fruits like Ice Apples into your diet can provide essential dietary fibre and alleviate digestive issues such as nausea, bloating, and constipation.
3. Amps up your energy: Packed with natural sugars and minerals, Ice Apples serve as a natural energy booster, offering a quick and organic source of vitality to combat fatigue and boost stamina. Additionally, they replenish electrolytes, making them an ideal snack for maintaining energy levels throughout the day.
4. Replenishes skin: Ice Apples offer a holistic approach to skin health, enriched with antioxidants and vitamin C, crucial elements that contribute to a radiant complexion and overall skin vitality. Vitamin C, abundant in Ice Apples, plays a pivotal role in collagen synthesis, the protein responsible for maintaining skin structure and elasticity. By promoting collagen production, Ice Apples help fortify the skin’s natural defences against environmental stressors and premature ageing, resulting in firmer, more resilient skin with a youthful glow.

Furthermore, Ice Apples’ cooling properties make them a soothing remedy for various skin concerns, including inflammation, irritation, and sunburn. Whether applied topically or consumed internally, Ice Apples provide a refreshing burst of hydration that revitalises and replenishes the skin’s moisture barrier, leaving it soft, supple, and visibly rejuvenated.

5. Provides relief for rashes: Ice Apples can be used topically to relieve skin rashes and soothe irritated areas, thanks to their cooling and anti-inflammatory properties. Whether consumed or applied externally, Ice Apples offer holistic benefits for skin health and overall well-being during the summer season.