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Made from this plant – available in our shop
Basic Information: Chayote is an edible plant belonging to the gourd family Cucurbitaceae. The chayote vine can be grown on the ground, but as a climbing plant, it will grow onto anything and can rise as high as 12 meters when support is provided. It has heart shaped leaves and tendrils on the stem. The plant bears male flowers in clusters and solitary female flowers. The plant’s fruit is light green and elongated with deep ridges lengthwise. The chayote is mostly cooked and handled like summer squash. The root, stem, seeds, and leaves are edible as well. It originated in central Mexico and various parts of Latin America, but is now grown all over the world.
Nutrition, Traditional Use and Research
The statements below describe nutrition facts, traditional use and published research. They are not health claims for our products.
- Chayote contains antioxidants and flavonoids that show activity in laboratory tests. Some laboratory studies have examined chayote extracts in relation to inflammation, blood sugar and cancer cells. These are early findings from cell and animal studies and do not show an effect in people.
- Chayote contains fiber and plant compounds. Fiber contributes to normal bowel function and is part of a balanced diet.
- Chayote is a source of folate, which contributes to normal maternal tissue growth during pregnancy and to normal amino acid synthesis.
- Chayote has few calories and a lot of fiber, which contributes to a feeling of fullness as part of a balanced diet.
- Chayote contains vitamin C, which contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of the skin and to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
- Animal studies have examined chayote extract in relation to fat accumulation in the liver. These are animal findings and cannot be applied to people.
Fun Facts:
- Due to its cell-regenerative properties, it is believed as a contemporary legend that this fruit caused the mummification of people from the Columbian town of San Bernardo who extensively consumed it
- In Australia, where it is called choko, a persistent urban legend is that McDonald’s apple pies were made of chayotes, not apples. This eventually led McDonald’s to emphasize the fact that real apples are used in their pies.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chayote
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/chayote-squash#section10
http://justfunfacts.com/interesting-facts-about-chayotes/