The scientific name of bael is Aegle marmelos, commonly known as Bengal quince, golden apple, stone apple, and bili. The fruit, leaves and seeds of bael plant has many medicinal properties. Bael fruit can be eaten fresh or dried. It taste somewhat like tangy marmalade.
Bael fruit nutrition value
A 100g of bael contains the following nutrition value
137 Calories
61.5g Moisture
1.8g Protein
.3g Fat
1.7g Minerals
2.9g Fiber
31.8 Carb
85mg Calcium
50mg Phosphorous
.7mg Iron
55UG Beta Carotene
.13mg Thiamine
.03mg Riboflavin
1.1mg Niacin
8mg Vitamin C
600mg Potassium
.21mg Copper
Health benefits of bael
Good for digestive system
Bael is good for whole digestive system. The regular intake of bael fruit helps to prevent various inflammatory conditions of small intestine and colon. It is useful in treatment and prevention of inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis.
Study has shown that a decoction (aqueous extract) made out of bael, coriander, vetiver and musta ( Cyperus rotundus ) compares favorably to standard drug prednisolone against inflammatory bowel diseases.
Regulate overactive thyroid and high blood sugar
The leaves of bael contain scopoletin that makes it useful in treatment and prevention of hyperthyroidism and diabetes. Bael has therapeutic potential to regulate overactive thyroid glands ( thyroid gland makes and releases more thyroid hormone than body needs) and prevent an excess of glucose in the bloodstream, often associated with diabetes mellitus.
Studies confirms that bael contains a compound, scopoletin, with antithyroid activity superior to that of propylthioracil. These findings indicate that scopoletin has the potential to inhibit thyroid function and hyperglycemia without damaging the liver.
Antifungal
The seeds of bael fruit contain compounds that exhibit significant antifungal activity against various pathogenic strains of Aspergillus species and Candida albicans. It is an effective and natural way to treat fungal infections.
Studies has proved that bael contains a compound with significant antifungal activity.
Lowers cholesterol
Studies has shown that bael demonstrates lipid lowering affect that can be useful for people who are suffering from hyperlipidemia.
Good for eyes
Bael fruit is good for eye health and proven to be useful for ocular hypertension. The topical application of the aqueous extract of bael fruit helps to lower high eye pressure or intraocular pressure (IOP).
Studies has found that bael fruit extract showed significant Intraocular pressure-lowering activity.
Anti-cancer
Bael fruit helps to prevent and fight against cancer.
Study has found that bael exhibits chemopreventive potential against skin cancer.
Antioxidants and provide protection against radiations
According to a study bael helps to prevent radiation-induced ill-effects, and the results of these studies indicate that it has the potential to be an effective, nontoxic radioprotective agent.
Radiation ill-effects are principally the result of generation of free radicals, and the antioxidant compounds in bael fruit helps to counter and preventing them.
Anti-Bacterial and natural remedy for typhoid fever
Bael exhibit anti-bacterial properties. It is effective and natural way to treat and prevent various bacterial infections including salmonella infections and typhoid fever.
Study has shown that Bael, Bombax ceiba , Pomegranate, Nutmeg, Holarrhena antidysenterica, Arjuna and Triphala exhibit strong anti-Salmonella typhi activity, in vitro.
Bael recipe ideas and uses
Add fresh or dried bael fruit into your salad, juices or smoothies drink.
Try dehydrated chips of bael fruit.
Prepare bael juice drink similar to lemonade. Strain and sweeten the juice of fresh bael.
Prepare bael sharbat, a refreshing drink made of the pulp with water, sugar, and lime juice, mixed, left to stand a few hours, strained, and put on ice.
Add leaves and small shoots of bael plant into your green salad.
Make jam or preserves of bael fruit pulp.
Make bael fruit tea. The dried bael fruit can be infused into the warm water and can be taken as infused tea.