Chayote, fruit, raw

Fun Facts

  1. Chayote like pumpkin is one of the vegetables which is very low calories; provide just 16 calories per 100 g and contain no saturated fats or cholesterol. However, it is rich a source of dietary fiber, anti-oxidants, minerals, vitamins. Being a low-calorie and fiber-rich vegetable, it is often recommended by dieticians in cholesterol controlling and weight reduction programs.
  2. They rae relatively good sources of B-complex vitamin, folates. 100 g fresh mirliton carries 93 µg or 23% of daily recommended intake. Folates are important for cell division, and DNA synthesis. When taken adequately before and during early pregnancy, this vitamin can help prevent neural tube defects in the newborn babies.
  3. As in other gourd family vegetables like zucchini, chayote too provides moderate levels of potassium. 100 g fresh fruit contains 125 mg or 2.5% of recommended daily requirements of this electrolyte.
  4. Furthermore, chayotes contain small levels of aglycone flavonoid poly-phenolic antioxidants such as apigenin and luteolin. These compounds help scavenge harmful oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) from the body that play a role in cancer, aging and various disease processes.

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