Isn’t it amazing to know that fruits aren’t only meant to provide us with a way to satisfy our sweet cravings, but that they also have so many health benefits? It turns out that persimmon - the orange and shiny fruit reminiscent of a tomato - contains a large number of vitamins and minerals that can help us get through the winter much stronger, healthier and full of energy. In order to learn more about this amazing fruit’s medical abilities in-depth, we invite you to read on. We’ve also added a delicious recipe at the end that’ll make you fall in love with a fruit that was considered a "fruit of the gods" in ancient Greece.
The persimmon is a sweet and juicy winter fruit originating from southeastern China and belonging to the stone fruit group. The persimmon has four different varieties; Japanese, American, Indian, and black persimmon. Each of these species has the same basic nutritional benefits and values, with slight changes in dietary fiber intake. The persimmon is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, beta-carotene and other B vitamins such as zeaxanthin, carotenoids, and minerals.
The persimmon is a winter fruit by design it seems, because it contains a high amount of vitamin C. Vitamin C considered one of the most effective and nourishing vitamins in the body's immune system and is found in most winter fruits as this is the season in which our bodies are more prone to bacteria and viruses. Eating one persimmon a day helps the body fight the free radicals that harm it, therefore, by consuming the fruit it increases the production of white blood cells, a process that leads to a reduced risk of various diseases.
Eating one persimmon is more effective at reducing the risk for heart disease, than eating apples for example. An initial comparison between the two fruits by a group of international researchers found that persimmons contain a significantly higher concentration of dietary fiber, minerals and phenolic compounds that help fight atherosclerosis, which is the leading cause of heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke. According to a study conducted in cooperation with the Israeli Ministry of Health and the Kaplan Medical Center, eating one medium persimmon a day, about 100 grams, helps prevent atherosclerosis and various heart diseases.
Like most orange fruits and vegetables, persimmon was found to contain a compound that is beneficial for maintaining eye health and vision. Zeaxanthin - which is one of the most common alcoholic carotenoids in nature and forms the color that ranges from red to yellow - is found in the fruit and is part of the substances which are important to eye health. According to a study published in the Journal of Food Chemistry, there is a direct link between consumption of zeaxanthin and improving eye health, as this compound acts as an antioxidant that can reduce molecular degeneration, night blindness, and cataracts.
Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases in our world, and there is much advice to incorporate many different foods in order to prevent the disease from developing. However, you should know that persimmon is one of the most recommended fruits to eat and consume. As already mentioned, persimmons contain antioxidants that help the body fight the free radicals that can cause the destruction of cells and the formation of cancerous tumors. The presence of vitamin A in the fruit, in combination with betulinic acid, enriches the body's protective system, which can remove toxins that are highly capable of converting healthy cells into cancer. Korean researchers have suggested that fruits such as persimmon and mandarin can reduce the risk of developing thyroid cancer and prevent the development of the disease in the early stages.
The persimmon is known as a fruit that contains a rich amount of dietary fiber which is beneficial for improving the digestion process. It is important to note that there are two types of fiber sources: insoluble and soluble - the first passes directly through the body and isn’t digested while the second type is digested and provides the body with important nutrients. The fibers found in persimmon help in clearing the digestive tract, thus preventing constipation. In addition, another advantage in the quick clearing of the digestive system is its ability to prevent anal infections and also help in the treatment and prevention of conditions leading to colon cancer or hemorrhoids.
The autumn and winter periods are known as seasons where many gain weight due to lack of physical activity and because of the need to eat more to keep warm. So, if you want a sweet fruit to replace your daily snack, you should choose Persimmon. Not only does it have almost no fat, but a medium-large fruit weighing 168 grams has a total of only 31 calories. In addition, the amount of dietary fiber in it accounts for about 20% of the recommended daily intake and causes a feeling of long-lasting satiety. These important facts make this tasty fruit an ideal healthy snack for all those who want to lose weight.
In addition to vitamin C being one of the most effective antioxidants in protecting the immune system, it’s also an especially effective antioxidant for skin health. Because it is a soluble vitamin, it doesn’t accumulate in our body and therefore requires regular replenishment through the food we consume. Other vitamins such as A and K - which maintain skin health, reduce wrinkles and inhibit aging - are also found in the sweet fruit, accompanied by beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, and lutein, which also act as antioxidants. As has been said, the role of antioxidants is to combat the harmful effects of the body created by free radicals and to protect it from the formation of diseases and infections.
Eating one persimmon a day is enough to help prevent kidney stones because persimmon is rich in potassium - a mineral that helps protect the kidneys from the formation of this nuisance. Kidney stones may also be caused by lack of calcium in the body, so eating the fruit can help prevent the problem because of its relatively high calcium content.
Persimmon is considered a fruit that contains a relatively high amount of water and therefore it can cool the body better than other fruits, which have a lower percentage of juice. Scientists at the University of Kyoto, Japan, have investigated and found that eating too much of the fruit actually reduces body temperature. Because persimmon is a winter fruit, some of you may think that lowering body temperature isn’t recommended, but how about when your body temperature rises due to fever? To counteract this bodily response, persimmon can be used as a natural and healthy "remedy."
In conclusion, it is important to note that each type of food we eat has advantages and sometimes side effects, but the benefits of these foods still outweigh the disadvantages. Another thing is to always emphasize the quantities we consume – even good things should be eaten in moderation.
We’re sure you’re just itching to eat this fruit for its many health benefits. Try incorporating it into your menu with this next tasty and special recipe.
A surprising and easy to prepare salad recipe whose beauty is in its simplicity, bold colors, and amazing health benefits!
Time: 10 minutes
Difficulty: easy
Ingredients for the dressing:
Ingredients for salad:
Directions for dressing:
1. Cut the shallot and let it soak in ice water for at least 5 minutes, then drain. Doing this calms the onion’s sharp taste.
2. Place the shallot, orange juice, miso spread, vinegar, olive oil, and honey in a food processor, and blend till smooth.
3. Generously season the dressing with salt and pepper.
Directions for salad:
1. Mix the rice in the bowl with the dressing, add the pomegranate seeds, persimmon cubes, ½ cup of pistachios and mix until all the ingredients are coated well.
2. Before serving, sprinkle the remaining pistachios over the salad.
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