11 Amazing Benefits of Rambutan

If you have ever tried the exotic fruit, rambutan, then you know that it is quite unusual in appearance, but pleasant in flavor, and is used widely for both culinary and medicinal applications. Before adding this fruit to your diet, it is important to understand the details of the fruit, as well as the nutrient content and the potential health benefits it may hold.

What is Rambutan?

Rambutan is the fruit of the rambutan tree, which belongs to the Sapindaceae family, commonly known as the soapberry family. This tree is native to the Indonesian region, as well as Malaysia, and is widely cultivated and harvested in this region. The fruit itself is about the size of a golf ball and is wrapped in a strange shell covered in reddish-orange spines, which give it the appearance of hair. However, this covering can be peeled away to reveal the pale white fruit inside. This fruit is sweet and somewhat juicy and contains a hard black seed in the middle. Often mistaken for lychee or longan, rambutan is closely related to these other tropical fruits, belonging to the same family, but there are some key differences.

Rambutan is commonly eaten raw, and is a popular favorite in many Asian countries, but is beginning to be seen more often in the rest of the world through import stores and exotic desires for health foods. Before ripening, the fruit will be covered in bright green spines that will eventually fade to the reddish-orange color, signaling that it is ready to be harvested. Not only is it relatively easy to grow and quite delicious, but it is also popular in traditional medicine, due to its diverse and unique nutrient content. ^[1]

Rambutan Nutrition Facts

According to USDA, canned rambutan is rich in manganese and also has trace amounts of zinc, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, iron and magnesium. Furthermore, there are a number of B vitamins and a high level of vitamin C in each small fruit. Most importantly, however, there are quite a few unique organic compounds, including cinnamic acid, vanillin and other antioxidants that help with overall health. These fruits are also low in calories, at roughly 75 grams per 100 grams of fruit. There is also a small amount of protein, dietary fiber and carbohydrates found in these fruits. ^{[3] [4]}

Health Benefits of Rambutan

The most impressive health benefits of rambutan include its ability to aid in weight loss, improve the appearance of the skin, optimize digestion, strengthen the bones and boost energy metabolism, among others.

Skin Care

The rambutan is native to Indonesian archipelago. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

According to the Food Chemistry journal, there are moderate amounts of antioxidants, polyphenolic compounds and key vitamins in this fruit. These compounds can help neutralize free radicals in the system, including those that cause breakdowns in the skin. Regularly eating this fruit makes for a rich anti-aging addition that can help reduce oxidative stress while also reducing the appearance of wrinkles. ^{[5] [6]}

Weight Loss

There are very few calories in a 100 gram serving of rambutan, only 75, to be exact. For people trying to lose weight, these fruits can help to keep you full, while also regulating the digestive process and optimizing nutrient digestion so fewer carbohydrates are converted into fat, further improving weight loss efforts.

Hair Care

When it comes to hair care, the leaves of the rambutan tree are actually highly praised. A paste of water and crushed rambutan leaves can be put in the hair for 10-15 minutes before shower. This can help improve the shine, luster, texture, and strength of your precious locks.

Aids Digestion

Despite having a low amount of fiber, it can still have an impact on your digestive processes, as almost all fruits do. The fiber in rambutan can help to stimulate peristaltic motion and clear up any signs or symptoms of constipation, while also scraping excess cholesterol from the body and improving the efficiency that nutrients are taken into the body.

Improves Bone Density

With notable amounts of minerals, including zinc, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, manganese and magnesium, rambutan helps improve bone strength and density, thus helping you avoid osteoporosis as you age.

Increases Energy Metabolism

The range of B vitamins in rambutan boost the metabolic pathways in the body, which, in turn, also helps in energy metabolism, namely the conversion of carbohydrates into usable energy.

Improves Growth & Development 

Rambutan contains a limited amount of protein but it can help improve growth and development, considering that proteins – and their component parts, amino acids, are needed by the body for the production of every cell, tissue, muscle, and drop of blood!

Chronic Diseases

The LWT – Food Science and Technology journal has published research, which suggests that the antioxidant content in rambutan makes it an excellent remedy or preventative measure for chronic disease. Antioxidants like polyphenolic compounds, tannins, ellagic acid, and others can neutralize free radicals before they cause cellular mutation and oxidative stress, which can lead to various diseases. ^[7]

Reduces Fever

Anecdotal evidence, particularly in Chinese traditional medicine, shows that rambutan can be used to break fevers and tackle other inflammatory conditions, including gout, headaches, stomach upset, and arthritis.

Improves Fertility

Vitamin C intake is essential for the production of healthy sperm. Rambutan happens to be high in this key antioxidant vitamin, and can, therefore, help men overcome problems with virility or infertility.

Prevents Heart Diseases

Rambutan is a great source of vitamin C. Research by Prof. Howard Sesso from the Harvard School of Public Health suggests that vitamin C helps protect heart health and it helps in strengthening and repairing damaged blood vessel walls. This gradual breakdown can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, making rambutan an excellent defensive tool for your heart health! ^[8]

How to Eat Rambutan?

Approaching a rambutan fruit can be intimidating, considering it is covered in spikes that seem like a natural obstacle to enjoyment. However, these tasty little fruits can be eaten quite easily, once you know the process.

You need to select a ripe rambutan, or the flavor and consistency won’t be pleasant. To eat it, cut a small slice in the middle of the outer skin covering, about halfway around. Now, simply squeeze from the opposite side as where you cut, and the small, white fruit should pop free. You can slice the fruit in half to remove the inedible seed, or you can eat the fruit raw and then spit the seed out.

Side Effects

There are a few things you need to be careful of when consuming a rambutan such as its impact on hypertension, diabetes, and toxicity. This is typically when the fruit is eaten after it has ripened too far, or if an excessive amount is consumed.

• Hypertension: When you allow rambutan fruits to ripen too far, the sugar they contain will begin to gain alcoholic properties, which can be dangerous for people who are trying to control not only their cholesterol levels but also their blood pressure. If you have hypertension problem, speak to a doctor before adding these fruits to your diet.
• Diabetes: A similar problem has been observed in people with type 2 diabetes. When they eat excessively ripe rambutan, it can cause a spike in blood sugar levels.
• Potential Toxicity: Some people think of rambutan seeds in the same way as sunflower seeds or other edible seeds, but these seeds need to be cooked to neutralize some of the toxic components they contain.