Where Can The Kakadu Plum Be Found
According to Aboriginal culture, the Kakadu plum is a gift from Dreamtime and has been a staple bush food for people in northern Australia for thousands of years. Australia’s woods are home to a particular kind of fruit called a Kakadu plum, which is about the size of an almond. They have a pit in the middle and are available in yellow and green. Kakadu plum trees will typically produce fruit from seed to complete tree harvest in less than five years.
In Northern Australia, specifically in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland, the Kakadu plum grows naturally in open forests. Kakadu plum’s first commercial harvest was in the late 1990s. The majority of production still comes from harvesting wild plants with permission from the government.
The fruit and seed were traditionally both consumed raw. They roasted the sap and boiled the bark to heal skin ailments and sores, or they drank it as tea to treat colds and the flu. Major worldwide health and cosmetic firms are interested in it. A whopping 78 percent of US customers are eager to try skincare items made from this fruit. This trend will encourage more businesses to establish fruit-based skincare products and startups to follow this skincare meta trend.
Nutritional Value of Kakadu Plum
Every 100 grams of Kakadu Plum fruit contains:
Calories – 59
Protein – 0.8 grams
Carbohydrates – 17.2 grams
Dietary fiber – 7.1 grams
Fat – 0.5 grams
Sodium – 13 mg
Vitamin C – 3,230%
Copper – 100%
Iron – 13.3%
Benefits of Kakadu Plum
Kakadu plum is an Australian fruit with numerous health benefits and contains a higher amount of vitamin C, which is 55 times more than Orange. It also contains other nutrients, such as Fiber, Copper, Zinc, Magnesium, Folate, Calcium, and Vitamin E. It contains significant amounts of flavonoids, gallic acid, and other plant chemicals like ellagic acid.
Despite a dearth of research, the Kakadu plum may provide advantages like:
Eye Health:
The high lutein, vitamin C, and vitamin E content of Kakadu plums can also help to reduce the risk of cataracts, vision issues, age-related macular degeneration, and the loss of healthy tissue.
Oxidative Stress:
Free radicals are naturally produced by your body. Antioxidants combat free radicals and reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases. Food with high amounts of vitamin C contain antioxidants.
The Kakadu plum contains a large amount of ellagic acid.
Almonds, walnuts, and strawberries are sources of antioxidants. In addition to preventing tumour growth, it may assist harm or killing cancer cells.
Blood Pressure: It contains a high potassium-to-sodium ratio, which can help reduce high blood pressure.
Emollient: Kakadu plum seeds can be processed into seed oil. High in saturated fatty acids including palmitic acid and stearic acid as well as Omega 6 fatty acids. Omega-rich fatty seed oils can aid in wound healing and moisturize the skin.
Kakadu Plum Skin Benefits
Kakadu plum, also known as Gubinge or Billygoat Plum, is a fruit native to Australia and has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. The fruit has a high concentration of vitamin C, antioxidants, and other nutrients that are beneficial for skin health.
Here are some of the potential skin benefits of Kakadu plum:
- Antioxidant properties
Kakadu plum is rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C, which can help protect the skin from free radical damage caused by environmental stressors like pollution and UV radiation.
- Brightening
Vitamin C can also help brighten the skin and improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and uneven skin tone.
- Collagen production
Vitamin C is essential for the production of collagen, a protein that helps keep the skin firm and youthful-looking.
- Hydration
Kakadu plum also contains essential fatty acids and other nutrients that can help hydrate and nourish the skin, improving its overall health and appearance.
- Anti-inflammatory properties
Kakadu plum contains anti-inflammatory compounds that can help soothe and calm irritated skin, making it a great ingredient for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Kakadu plum is a potent ingredient that can provide a range of skin benefits, making it a popular ingredient in skincare products.
Side Effects
Kakadu plum seeds might be harmful if you overeat them. Eat sparingly because eating too many seeds can make you ill. The Kakadu plum contains a lot of vitamin C and a substance known as oxalic acid, or oxalates. People who consume large amounts of these substances may experience health issues.
Consuming foods high in oxalate frequently can affect how calcium is absorbed. The result may be kidney stones. Oxalates are produced while your body breaks down vitamin C, therefore consuming foods high in vitamin C may also cause kidney stones.
Excess consumption of Kakadu Plum cause these problems:
- Kidney stones
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhoea
- Ulcerative colitis
- Vomiting
- Heartburn
Conclusion:
Aboriginal culture views the Kakadu plum as a gift from nature, and tribes in Northern Australia have valued it as an important food for thousands of years. Because of its qualities, it has a huge commercial potential, but further study and development are needed, as well as a considerably larger and more consistent supply.
