Bael or wood apple fruit, or called bilwa in Hindi is World’s Healthiest & Cooling Summer Fruit for Weight loss, Digestion & Immunity. It is a sweet, aromatic fruit that grows on the Bael Tree. Bael is also known as the tree of Lord Shiva and is of sacred value in India. Bael leaves are offered to Lord shiva. It is an important medicinal plant with several uses in traditional medicine. All parts of bael tree- root, leaf, trunk, fruit, and seeds are beneficial in treating various diseases. It has a cooling effect on your body and keeps you hydrated. It is also known by various names like wood apple, Bengal quince, Indian bael or stone apple. The raw fruits of bael look greenish-grey, while the woody exterior turns yellow upon ripening.
The most prominent recipe of bael highly consumed in north region of India is Bael Ka Sharbat’ during the peak summers.
Nutritional Facts of BAEL.
Bael is a nutritious fruit. This fruit is rich in-
- Proteins
- Vitamins – vitamin C, vitamin A beta carotene, and vitamin B-complex.
- Minerals – potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, and iron
- Dietary fibers
- Fat
100-gram serving of bael fruit provides:
| Calories | Carbohydrates | Protein | Fat |
| 127 Kcal | 3.5 gm | 25 gm | 0.2 gm |
Bael contains chemicals called tannins, flavonoids, and coumarins.
These chemicals help to reduce swelling / inflammation.
This might help treat asthma, diarrhea, and other conditions. Also, some of these chemicals help to reduce blood sugar.
Health Benefits of Bael Fruit
- It helps in management of bacteria-induced infection & diseases.
- It is good for digestion.
- It also has laxative properties that prevents constipation.
- It helps in reducing cholesterol.
- Help in diabetes management.
- Prevent skin infections.
- Act as a blood purifier.
- Helps in scurvy.
- Bael is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants that help control your symptoms of scurvy.
- May reduce cancer risk.
- It Boosts immunity.
- It stimulates milk production in nursing mother.
- It helps treat depression.
- It helps in Boosting memory.
- Bael is known to act as a tonic for heart and brain.
- It is a great source of Potassium.
- It is loaded with Calcium & Iron.
- Wood apple is highly recommended for people suffering from kidney disorders.
How to make BAEL juice?
- It is a traditional recipe commonly found in the households of North Eastern India, especially during summers.
- For preparation of bael juice, take bael fruit, wash it and break the hard shell from all around.
- Once it’s broken, remove the pulp in a bowl. Mash the pulp till it softens and strain the mixture to remove any solid particles or impurities.
- You can add chilled water, cardamom powder, jaggery, and black salt to the bael pulp if you want.
- And enjoy the very refreshing “Bael Juice”.
Other Bael recipes to try:
- Bael Smoothie.
- Bael Mojito.
- Bael Chutney.
- Bael Jam.
- Bael Flavored Lassi.
This is what all you need to know about “Bael”. No significant side effects of bael are identified as such, but it is advised for pregnant and lactating mothers to avoid the consumption of bael powder
For the food combinations to not react in a harmful manner, I would advise to make bael smoothie with the helps of plant-based milk.