Miracle fruit, a magic berry that changes the taste of food to sweetness

Miracle fruit, or also known as miracle berry, has the unique ability to change the taste of food on the tongue. Thanks to its unique function, this fruit is considered to have the potential to be a safe natural sweetener for diabetics. Not only that, there are still a number of benefits miracle berry for the body. Anything?

Get to know plants miracle fruit

Miracle fruit is a plant native to West Africa and is generally used as a natural sweetener for wine. This plant grows in the form of a shrub or small tree with a height of no more than 5.5 meters.

This plant quite easy to cultivate, as long as the environment is shady, away from freezing air, and has high humidity. In the third or fourth year after planting, these plants will start producing their fruit.

The resulting fruit is oval-shaped with red skin. Once split, you can see the white flesh resembling rambutan with large dark brown seeds in the middle.

Miracle fruit actually doesn't contain a lot of nutrients. However, this fruit contains vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin E, and several types of amino acids which are sufficient to help the body function normally.

Like fruits in general, fruit has a scientific name Synsepalum dulcificum it's also low in calories. You can also get antioxidant compounds that protect the body from free radicals by consuming them.

Miracle berrycan change the taste to sweet

Miracle berry renowned for its ability to turn any taste sweet. This fruit is basically almost tasteless. The sweet taste on your tongue actually comes from a special protein called miraculin.

Miraculin is a type of glycoprotein. That is, the protein molecules in miraculin bind to the carbohydrate chain. Miraculin does not have a sweet taste, but this protein molecule is able to bind to the taste buds on the surface of the tongue.

The binding process then changes the shape of the protein in the tongue nodules which function to taste sweetness. As a result, all foods that taste bitter or sour will taste sweet on your tongue.

Benefits miracle fruit for health

Its ability to change the taste to sweet makes this fruit is now used as a natural added sweetener for diabetics. However, the benefits don't stop there.

The natural content in this fruit is also alleged to provide the following benefits:

1. Reducing the risk of diabetes

Miracle berry not only beneficial for diabetics, but also the potential to reduce the risk of diabetes. Animal studies have shown that this fruit can prevent insulin resistance in mice fed a high-fructose diet.

Insulin resistance is a condition when the body's cells no longer respond to the hormone insulin properly. As a result, blood sugar levels become uncontrollable and you are at risk of developing diabetes. However, further research is needed on this matter.

2. Overcoming changes in taste in chemotherapy patients

Chemotherapy has a number of side effects, including a decrease in the tongue's ability to taste. This condition can reduce the patient's appetite so that the nutritional intake is reduced. If left untreated, the patient is at risk of experiencing malnutrition.

The good news, miracle fruit can be a solution to this side effect. A study in 2012 showed that consumption miracle fruit can improve the taste function and appetite for cancer patients.

3. Helps you lose weight

One of the keys to losing weight is reducing your calorie intake from sugary foods. However, not a few people have difficulty breaking the habit of eating sweet foods because of their delicious taste.

Miracle berry help you lose weight by reducing the habit of eating sweet foods. The reason is, even low-sugar foods can taste very sweet and delicious when eating miracle berry beforehand, so that you don't overeat sugary foods.

Miracle fruit is a fruit with so much potential for health. However, after eating this fruit, make sure you don't overeat any foods to avoid side effects.

If you are in doubt, try to consult a doctor for a more definite answer.