Rambutan: Preventing Anemia and Cancer

by Ward W. Bond, PhD

Who knew this little hairy, spiky looking fruit packed so much good health inside! Rambutan is native to Malaysia and Indonesia, it is found all over Southeastern Asia. It looks like a sea urchin, but it’s a tasty fruit!

​Are you the type of person who’s anemic, but you can’t take iron supplements? Rambutan is a perfect choice instead of eating liver, yuck! High in natural iron, it's a great exotic blood builder helping build healthy red blood cells. The fruit also contains copper which is vital for the production of red and white blood cells in our body. The fruit also contains manganese which is essential for our body for the production of enzymes and their activation. Manganese is also needed to reverse Meniere's Disease (vertigo). Enzymes are necessary for carry out many functions in our body and often carry out essential biochemical essential in our body.

Rambutans are high in water content along with being high in fiber and low in calories. A perfect diet food or what we should call a perfect lifestyle food. Fiber is needed for a healthy gastrointestinal tract and fiber is needed for maintaining blood sugar levels in diabetics as well as being helpful in cardiovascular health.

Ever heard of Gallic acid? Rambutan provides that too! Gallic acid is believed to have health benefits that are of particular note to those at risk for certain forms of cancer or neural disorders. Studies have shown that Gallic acid is effective in inhibiting neuronal death. Studies have also shows that Gallic acid has anti-cancer properties against leukemia, certain prostate, colon and lung cancer cells.

Gallic acid has been shown to prevent cellular mutations and to be toxic to cancer cells, while having no negative effect on healthy cells. This, of course, means that Gallic acid may prove to be an effective treatment for certain forms of cancer, and that increasing the amount of Gallic acid consumed may help those suffering from cancer in their fight against the disease.

When shopping in an organic market, be adventurous and try a few Rambutans. Expand your food choices and see how food can be fun and healthy!