Salak

Other names : Salacca zalacca, Calamus zalacca, Salacca edulis, Salacca rumphii, Salacca blumeana, Calamus salakka, Salacca edulis var. amboinensis, Salacca zalacca var. amboinensis, Snake fruit
Being native to South Sumatra and Southwest Java, it is widely distributed around Southeast Asian countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, and Myanmar in abundance. The fruit has also been introduced to countries of other regions including New Guinea, Philippines, Queensland and northern Territory of Australia, Ponape Island (Caroline Archipelago), China, Surinam, Spain, and Fiji.

Health Benefits and Uses of Salak

• The abundant natural sugar and fibre along with minerals and vitamin makes it a nutritious fruit. Phytochemical investigation on this fruit has revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenolics, glycosides as well as some volatile and aromatic compounds, including gallic acid, quercetin, chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, proanthocyanidins, lycopene and β-carotene. Pharmacological studies on the fruit flesh and peel have shown some tremendous antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antidiabetic potential.
• Zalacca fruits are a good source of vitamins, fibre, minerals, and carbohydrates. Moreover, S. zalacca possesses antioxidant, anticancer, and antidiabetic effects, attributable to their high levels of vitamin C, Phenolics acids, and flavonoids.

References

• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329928302_Salacca_zalacca_A_short_review_of_the_palm_botany_pharmacological_uses_and_phytochemistry