The tejocote, also known as Indian little apple, is a fruit endemic to Mexico and one of the main ingredients in the traditional Christmas punch. This fruit is also very important during the Day of the Dead, as it is used to decorate altars and offerings, as well as to prepare tejocote candy. Furthermore, you will also find it inside piñatas during the December posadas.

Its name comes from the Nahuatl texócotl, which means "hard fruit with a sour taste". According to the Institute of Ecology, there are at least 16 species of tejocotes in our country, mostly found in the mountainous areas of Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, Puebla, and Veracruz.

Nowadays, it is used to make candies, preserves, jams, and liqueurs, as it is rich in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, which is why its consumption is widely recommended. Thanks to all its benefits, here we tell you why it is a good idea to consume more tejocote.

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Vitamins and minerals

According to experts, the tejocote is rich in vitamins and minerals, such as:

Calcium: Remember that consuming enough calcium is essential, as our body needs this mineral to strengthen bones and maintain good health.

Iron: Did you know that iron is found in each of the cells in our body? Furthermore, this mineral helps us produce hemoglobin and aids in preventing anemia.

Vitamin C: This vitamin is extremely important for our body; it is necessary for proper growth. Moreover, it is also a powerful antioxidant and is beneficial for the skin, bones, accelerates healing, and helps us absorb iron.

B Complex: The B complex vitamins are: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B12, and folic acid. These vitamins help us obtain energy from food and in the formation of red blood cells.

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Does tejocote have medicinal properties?

Thanks to the fact that tejocote strengthens bones, aids in the proper functioning of the nervous system, and oxygen transport, it is an excellent option for everyone. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, pre-Hispanic cultures used tejocote to create different home remedies to treat the following diseases:

• Cough, pneumonia, bronchitis, common cold, and lung pain.
• Diarrhea, amoebas, dysentery, and stomach pain.
• This endemic fruit is also used as a diuretic and antispasmodic.
• Tejocote also helps to improve coronary circulation and moderates contractions caused by tachycardia.
• Nowadays, it is common to use the tejocote root or the fruit itself to lose weight, however, there is no scientific evidence to support this theory.
  

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The benefits of eating tejocote

Because it contains vitamins and minerals, tejocote has many health benefits, among which the following stand out:

• Moreover, a study published by experts from the National Polytechnic Institute indicates that tejocote is ideal for the heart, as the fruit and its leaves have been used to treat heart diseases such as tachycardia, arrhythmia, and atherosclerosis, among other heart conditions. This is due to the fact that tejocote contains a phenolic compound, a substance with many benefits for the heart and circulatory system.
• Helps with good blood coagulation.
• Reduces glucose levels, making it ideal for diabetics.
• Strengthens the immune system.
• It is a fruit rich in vitamin C, B complex vitamins, and calcium.