Research details the nutritional content of Cerrado fruits; find out what they are

Cerrado pineapple, angelim-rasteiro, araçá-do-campo, araticum, caraguatá, lobeira and pequi are the fruits analyzed by researchers in a partnership between the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) and the State University of Campinas (Unicamp), both in the interior of São Paulo.

Recently published in the scientific journal Brazilian Journal of Food Technology , the work details the nutritional composition of these foods . "The idea of analyzing these species came from another study of ours, on the diet of the maned wolf and the crab-eating fox," says biologist Renato D'Elia Feliciano, from UFSCar, one of the authors of the study.

According to Feliciano, the feeding habits of these animals provide clues about their potential for human consumption. "Research shows that lobeira, angelim-rasteiro, and pineapple-do-cerrado have high protein content," he comments. Meanwhile, araçá-do-campo, araticum ( Annona crassiflora ), and caraguatá stand out for their carbohydrate content.

While protein is a fundamental macronutrient for organ formation and muscle maintenance, carbohydrates are synonymous with energy and stamina. "Some of the levels of these nutrients are comparable to those found in commercial fruits," says the biologist.

Further research is needed to determine the amount of micronutrients—vitamins and minerals, as well as phytochemicals and other potentially beneficial compounds. "People in other regions need to learn about the richness of the Cerrado's native species," says nutritionist Leandro Baptista of the Goiás Emergency Hospital (HUGO), a public facility in Goiânia managed by Einstein Hospital Israelita.

The nutritionist emphasizes the importance of having more options in your daily menu and combating monotony by increasing your nutrient intake. "And, increasingly, it's worth encouraging fruit consumption, especially at a time when it's been implicated in fake news ," says Baptista.

Fructose is a prime target of misinformation. In excess, this type of sugar can trigger metabolic disorders and promote weight gain. However, the problem isn't fruit itself: it's related to the fructose found in ultra-processed products, such as soft drinks, chocolate drinks, juice boxes, and others.

Pleasure, fruits of the Cerrado

Knowledge of native varieties still values food traditions. This type of movement draws attention to environmental preservation and sustainable practices, which is urgently needed in the Cerrado, one of the biomes most affected by deforestation.

Below, learn about some characteristics of the fruits analyzed:

Pineapple of the Cerrado ( Ananas ananassoides )

Popularly called "aniabaetazinho-do-cerrado" (cerrado pineapple), because it is smaller than conventional pineapples, it has ornamental appeal and its food use is very restricted to local populations.

In addition to the good protein content highlighted in the study, other analyses show that it concentrates fiber and, like other members of the Bromeliaceae family, offers bromelain, an enzyme that has the ability to break down proteins and is said to be an ally in digestion.

With a very acidic flavor, it is consumed in the form of juices and sweets, for example.

Creeping Angelim ( Andira humilis)

The species boasts a beautiful flower, ranging in hue from pink to purple, but its fruit is not as popular. Little is known about its composition, and despite its medicinal use by indigenous peoples, studies are needed to assess its potential toxicity.

The field racer ( Psidium grandifolium )

It belongs to the Myrtaceae family, which includes many different species, including guava and clove. There are several types of guava, with the scientific name Psidium grandifolium being one of the least known. The fruit, light yellow in color, has a mild flavor when ripe.

Araticum ( Annona crassiflora )

The araticunzeiro tree reaches three to eight meters in height and each fruit can reach 2 kilos and 10 centimeters in diameter.

Also known as marolo or panã, its fragrant pulp is rich in fiber, the guardian of the intestine. It also provides minerals such as potassium, which supports muscle function, and phenolic compounds with antioxidant and cell-protective properties.

In addition to being popular in its natural state, it appears in recipes for jams, ice creams and juices.

Caraguatá ( Bromelia balansae)

Another member of the Bromeliaceae family, the same as pineapples, which also contains bromelain, with its digestive properties. The fruits are grouped in clusters.

The yellowish, acidic and very fragrant pulp is rich in fiber and has been used in the production of soft drinks and even a flour that enriches biscuits, among other products.

Lobeira ( Solanum lycocarpum)

Also called wolf fruit, precisely because the maned wolf is one of the largest consumers, the fruit is part of the Solanaceae family, the same as okra and tomato.

Aromatic, yellowish-green, and slightly sour, lobeira is often used to make jellies and preserves. When unripe, it contains high levels of alkaloids that can be toxic, hence the recommendation to use it after it's ripe.

Pequi (Caryocar brasiliense)

The fruit of the pequi tree, nicknamed "gold of the Cerrado," is used in preserves, liqueurs, sweets, and other products. It enriches rice and enhances recipes like galinhada (chicken stew), with its yellow color.

This color comes from carotenoids – a group of substances with powerful antioxidant action, that is, they neutralize free radicals, molecules that, in excess, damage cells.

Its juicy flesh surrounds a thorny pit, requiring extreme caution when eating. It's rich in beneficial fats.

Source: Einstein Agency

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