14/11/2022

Health Benefits of Peaches

8 Health Benefits of Peaches

Peaches are a member of the stone fruit family, along with nectarines, plums, apricots, and cherries. (Fun fact: They are also a relative of almonds!) In addition to being downright delicious, especially at their peak, peaches offer some unique health benefits. Here are eight reasons to get your fill of this gorgeous, fuzzy fruit while it's plentiful.

Benefits:
  • Peaches are good for digestion -- One medium peach provides nearly 10% of the daily minimum fiber target. In addition to preventing constipation and supporting good digestive health, peach fiber helps manage blood sugar levels.
  • They can boost your immune system - Peaches support immunity in three ways. One medium peach supplies over 15% of the daily goal for vitamin C.
  • And perk up your skin too - In addition to their anti-inflammatory antioxidants, peaches have beta carotene and vitamin C to support healthy skin.
  • Peaches protect your eyes - The lutein and zeaxanthin in peaches help protect the retina and lens, and have been shown to reduce the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts, two common eye disorders.
  • They may lower cancer risk - The polyphenol antioxidants in peaches have been shown to inhibit the growth and spread of cancer cells, particularly breast cancer.
  • And help with weight management - Recent research shows that bioactive compounds in peaches have anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity properties.
  • Peaches might promote brain health - Antioxidants found in peaches are known to combat oxidative stress, which is essentially an imbalance between the production of cell-damaging free radicals and the body's ability to counter their harmful effects.
  • They’re helpful for blood pressure control and de-bloating - The potassium in a peach (one medium fruit supplies 8% of the daily recommended goal) helps regulate blood pressure by acting as a natural diuretic to sweep excess sodium and fluid out of the body.


The health benefits of peaches

Peaches are a fuzzy fruit native to northwest China. They are a member of the stone fruit family, which means that their flesh surrounds one large middle seed.

The inner flesh of a peach ranges in color from white to yellow or orange. There are two different varieties of peach: freestone and clingstone. These names indicate whether the flesh sticks to the inner seed or easily comes apart from it.

Health benefits of peaches:
  • Reducing cancer risk - Peaches provide a significant amount of vitamin C. This vitamin is a powerful antioxidant that can help prevent the formation of free radicals
  • Preserving skin health - Research suggests that regularly consuming vitamin C can improve the appearance and health of the skin.
  • Contributing to fiber intake - A cup of diced peaches contains 2.52 g of fiber. The USDA recommend 22.4–28.0 g per day for female adults and 30.8–33.6 g each day for male adults, meaning that this serving size can provide at least 7.5% of a person’s recommended daily fiber intake.
  • Topping up potassium intake - Potassium is an essential electrolyte that helps cells function. It can also help reduce the riskTrusted Source of high blood pressure, stroke, and kidney stones, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS).
  • Iron supplementation - Iron is a vital component of hemoglobin, which helps the blood transport oxygen throughout the body. Without enough hemoglobin, a person might experience iron deficiency anemia.


The Health Benefits of Peaches

Don’t be fooled by a peach’s small size and delicate skin. Just one medium peach has up to 13.2% of the vitamin C you need each day. This nutrient helps your body heal wounds and keeps your immune system going strong. It also helps get rid of “free radicals” -- chemicals that have been linked to cancer because they can damage your cells.

Benefits:
  • Help Your Eyesight - An antioxidant called beta-carotene gives peaches their pretty golden-orange color. 
  • Keep Digestion Running Smoothly - One medium peach can give you as much as 6% to 9% of the fiber your body needs each day. High-fiber foods can protect you from health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and colorectal cancer.
  • Help You Stay a Healthy Weight - Clocking in at fewer than 60 calories, peaches have no saturated fats, cholesterol, or sodium.
  • Get Your Vitamin E - Nuts and seeds are the best-known sources of this vitamin, but peaches are ripe with it, too.
  • Keep Your Bones Healthy - Potassium can help balance out the effects of a diet high in salt. It may also lower your blood pressure, along with your chances of kidney stones and bone loss.
  • Go Easy on Your Gut - If you have stomach trouble, a snack of canned peaches may be a good idea.
  • Give You Something to Smile About - As sweet as they are, peaches may help keep your teeth healthy because they have fluoride.


All the Health Benefits of Eating Peaches

Summer peaches are one of nature’s best inventions. They’re soft and sweet, smell divine, taste good cooked or fresh, and they’re chock-full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Peaches boast lots of potential health benefits, including improved digestion, a healthy heart, a strong immune system and improved allergy symptoms. Dietitian Maxine Smith, RDN, LD, explains why this fuzzy fruit is so peachy keen.

Health benefits of peaches:
  • Heart health - All types of fruits are an important part of a heart-healthy diet, but peaches might have some specific benefits.
  • Improved digestion - “Peaches contain both soluble and insoluble fiber,” Smith says.
  • Decreased inflammation - The plant-based polyphenols (micronutrients) and prebiotics (live bacteria) that are found in peaches and other plant-based foods can decrease inflammation, which can, in turn, decrease your risk of many chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Stronger immune system - The fuzzy skin and juicy flesh of peaches contain good-for-you antioxidants, including vitamin C, polyphenols and carotenoids.
  • Healthy eyes - “Peaches are a moderate source of beta carotene, a red-orange pigment found in fruits,” Smith says. The body turns beta carotene into vitamin A, an essential vitamin that’s important for healthy vision.
  • Smoother skin - Some lab research found that when applied to the skin, extracts made from peach pits or peach flowers might reduce UV damage and help skin retain moisture.


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