10 PROPERTIES OF BOROJÓ FOR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH - NUTRITION - 2025

The properties and benefits of borojó that have been scientifically proven are its high levels of carbohydrates, dietary fiber, calcium, richness of antioxidants, and others that I will discuss below.

Borojo is the fruit that is extracted from the Borojoa patinoi plant, which belongs to the Rubiaceae family. It grows in humid tropical forests at a relative humidity of 85%. The name comes from the Embera language which means borojoa = round, globose.

The plant from which borojo is extracted comes from the tropical jungle of Colombia, Ecuador and Panama. In traditional medicine the juice of this fruit is used to treat sexual impotence, bronchial conditions, malnutrition, hypertension, cancer, infections and chronic fatigue.

Living up to its name, this fruit is round, 7 to 12 cm in diameter, green to brown in color and weighs 740 to 1 kg, of which 88% is pulp.

The pulp has a relative humidity greater than 60%, which indicates that it has a high water content in its composition. In dry weight, most of the borojo are carbohydrates, dietary fiber, protein, calcium, phosphorus and iron.

Nutritional properties of borojó

1- Decreases fatigue after exercise

Due to its large amount of carbohydrates, borojó is appropriate for people who are very physically active, as it can provide the energy necessary to recover from training.

The main carbohydrate in borojo is fructose, a carbohydrate that has been studied for its effects in sport.

Previous studies have indicated that fructose reduces fatigue in aerobic and anaerobic sports.

A study carried out by the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences at the University of Birmingham, found that in cyclists, the consumption of fructose and glucose decreased the time in which cyclists finished the race by 8%, compared to the group that only they consumed glucose and 19% less than the group that took placebo with water.

In studies with laboratory rats it has been shown that the consumption of fructose without physical activity triggers the accumulation of fat in the liver. Virtually any carbohydrate will be stored as fat if it is not used.

2.- Provides a good portion of dietary fiber

Dietary fiber is a diverse set of substances, primarily polysaccharide carbohydrates, found in plant-based foods.

Their main differential characteristic is that they are not digested in the small intestine and as a consequence reach the large intestine unchanged.

Currently dietary fiber is classified based on its solubility in water: soluble fiber and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber tends to form viscous solutions in water, causing delayed gastric emptying and digestion.

This type of fiber is fermented by bacteria in the colon, giving rise to short-chain fatty acids that are beneficial on serum cholesterol and glucose concentrations.

Insoluble fiber has great water retention capacity. Its main effect is to increase the volume of stool by accelerating the speed of intestinal transit, preventing constipation, hemorrhoids and diverticula. It has been proposed that it can reduce the risk of colon cancer.

The amount of dietary fiber consumption depends on the age and gender of the people. Men generally need more dietary fiber. In men between 19 and 50 years old, the values ​​are 38g per day, while in women of the same age they are 25g per day.

Borojó provides almost 9g of dietary fiber for every 100g of fruit. Being a large fruit (700-1000g) it would practically provide the entire recommended daily amount of fiber. In addition, this fiber would be of both types, mostly of the insoluble type (it helps to improve our intestinal health).

3.- Strengthens bones, teeth and gums

Calcium is a mineral that is involved in many biological functions essential for life, from its intervention in the process of muscle contraction to blood clotting. As an ion, Ca ²⁺ is a cofactor of multiple enzymatic processes.

It is very important in mineralization and therefore, in strengthening bones, teeth and gums. It also promotes proper blood clotting, preventing cardiovascular diseases.

This nutrient favors the regulation of the heart rate and the transmission of nerve impulses.

The consumption of a borojó fruit would be providing approximately half of the calcium required per day.

4- It is a source of phosphorus

Phosphorus is a mineral that makes up 1% of people's body mass. Followed by calcium, it is the most abundant mineral in the body.

It also contributes to the formation and development of bones and teeth; the secretion of breast milk; cell division and metabolism or the formation of muscle tissues.

Phosphorus concentrations also vary with age, but in general terms, in adults over 19 years of age, the daily phosphorus intake should be 700 mg. The absorption of this mineral, like that of calcium, is regulated by vitamin D.

The consumption of a piece of borojo could be supplying a third of the recommended amount of phosphorus per day.

5- Improves oxygen transport

Iron is a mineral that is considered essential, since it is necessary for the synthesis of hemoglobin, which is involved in the renewal of blood cells (erythrocytes).

Erythrocytes enable the transport of oxygen from the lungs to different organs, such as muscles, liver, heart, or brain.

The recommended daily amount varies with age and gender. Adult women aged 19 to 50 are recommended to consume 18 mg a day and men of the same age 11 mg a day.

A borojó fruit could be providing approximately one third in men and one sixth in women of the recommended daily amount of this mineral.

6- Improves the functioning of the heart, nervous and digestive system

Vitamin B1 is found in many foods such as borojo. It plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism mainly for energy production. It also participates in the metabolism of fats, proteins and nucleic acids (DNA, RNA).

It is essential for normal growth and development and helps maintain the functioning of the heart, nervous and digestive systems.

The recommended daily amount of intake of this vitamin varies with age and gender. In women between 19 and 50 years old, the intake should be 1.1 mg, while in men of the same age it is 1.2 mg. The use of complex B is widely recommended for people who suffer from fatigue.

7- It is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants

Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, essential in humans and other mammalian species. It is necessary for normal growth and development.

Vitamin C is needed for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of the body. It is used to produce skin, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, heal wounds, and form scar tissue. Additionally, it helps the absorption of iron.

All these roles are generated, since it participates as an electron donor for eight different enzymes. For example, in collagen synthesis, some amino acids such as lysine and proline are hydroxylated.

In these cases, vitamin C is an electron donor for the enzyme prolyl-hydroxylase or lysyl-hydroxylase. Vitamin C is one of many antioxidants, nutrients that block some of the damage caused by free radicals.

In general terms, the consumption of vitamin C varies with respect to age and sex. In adults from 19 to 50 years it is 75 mg per day while in men it is 90 mg per day.

It is not recommended to exceed 2000 mg daily, as it causes diarrhea and an upset stomach.

8- It has an acid pH

Borojó has an acidic pH, so it would not be highly recommended for people with gastritis. Its pH is approximately 3.08, similar to that of orange juice which is 3.

However, for a person without gastric complications there is no problem with its consumption.

9- It keeps you hydrated

Borojo can help you stay hydrated, since more than 80% of its composition is water.

However, no food should be a substitute for natural water, as it is very important to maintain our water balance in order to maintain health.

1st- It is a source of polyphenols

The University of La Sabana. Bogotá, Colombia studied borojo polyphenolic extracts and found that this fruit has a polyphenol content with values ​​between 600 and 800 mg / 100gr.

These polyphenols were also shown to have antimicrobial action against the human pathogenic bacteria S. aureus and E. coli.

This study left open the possibility of continuing research on the potential use of borojo as a natural antioxidant for the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Nutritional contribution of borojó

The following table summarizes all your nutrient intake.

Curiosities of the borojó

• In Colombia, borojo is known as a passion fruit because it supposedly increases sexual potency. They have even called it "natural viagra".
• The borojó tree measures between 5 and 7 meters.
• Coffee also belongs to the Rubiaceae family and also has energetic properties.
• It is considered ripe until it falls to the ground.
• Contains 90 to 600 seeds per fruit.

References

1. Araújo, CRR, Silva, T. de M., Lopes, M., Villela, P., Alcântara, AF de C., & Dessimoni-Pinto, NAV (2013). Total antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content and mineral elements in the fruit peel of Myrciaria cauliflora. Brazilian Journal of Food Technology, 16 (4), 301–309.
2. Center for Advanced Food Technology Rutgers University Polyphenolic Content of Borojo. (2008).
3. Currell, K., & Jeukendrup, AE (2008). Superior endurance performance with ingestion of multiple transportable carbohydrates. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 40 (2), 275–281.
4. Díaz, R. (2014). Physicochemical and Rheological Characterization of Borojó Pulp (Borojoa Patinoi Cuatrec.) And Derived Food Products Author.
5. Vitamin D and Calcium: A Systematic Review of Health Outcomes. (2007).