18 EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS OF PEACH

What is Peach?  

Peaches are juicy and versatile summer fruits that are native to China and South Asia. Their Latin name is Prunus persica and peaches are a product of deciduous trees that grow in temperate regions of the world. Peaches belong to the family of Rosaceae , which includes fruits like plums and cherries.

Health Benefits of Peach

 

Peaches also help in maintaining healthy levels of blood pressure and boosting cardiac health. Along with the fresh and processed products, canned peaches can also be used to obtain its health benefits. The addition of peaches to your diet can enrich you with countless benefits, with the lucrative bonus of having no harmful calories.

Besides their refreshing taste and aroma, peaches are rich in carotenoids and offer a variety of health benefits.

Antioxidant Capacity

The peels and the pulp of peaches possess significant  antioxidant properties . The presence of chlorogenic acid in these fruits also contributes to their protective effects. Antioxidants such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-cryptoxanthin help in scavenging oxygen-derived free radicals and thus protect the body against the harmful effects of various diseases.

Prevents Hypokalemia

Peaches contain  potassium, which is vital for proper nerve signaling and cellular functioning of the body. The potassium content in peaches also helps in metabolic processes, utilizing carbohydrates, maintaining electrolyte balance, and the regulation of muscular tissues. A lack of potassium in the body can lead to hypokalemia which can affect muscular strength and can cause an irregular heartbeat.

Prevents Cancer

Peaches are rich in phenolic and carotenoid compounds, which possess anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties, as well as help in fighting various types of cancers such as breast cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer. Studies have supported the fact that chlorogenic acid and neochlorogenic acid present in peaches exert beneficial effects in inhibiting the growth of breast cancer cells without affecting the normal cells, unlike chemotherapy, which negatively affects healthy cells as well. In addition to this, research has shown that the botanical group Rosaceae, which includes peaches, is rich in beta-carotene, thereby providing protective effects against lung cancer.

Skin Care

Peaches help in maintaining healthy skin owing to the presence of a good amount of vitamin C, which also provides a defense against harmful free radicals and infections. Peaches also exert protective effects on the skin against ultraviolet radiation. Studies have provided evidence that the antioxidants zeaxanthin and lutein have significant anti-inflammatory effects on the skin damage caused by UV-B radiation and they protect it from the hyperproliferation of cells. Flavonoids present  in peaches have photoprotective effects and help in preventing the skin from UV-induced erythema.

Peaches are widely used in the cosmetic industry for the manufacturing of skin creams and beauty packs. The wealth of flavonoids and essential vitamins and minerals in peaches help in sloughing off dead cells, as well as hydrating and revitalizing the skin. The antioxidants, in peaches, promote faster recovery of skin problems such as blemishes and spots.

Eye Care

Peaches are rich in beta-carotene, which gets converted into vitamin A within the body. Beta-carotene plays an important role in maintaining healthy eyesight and preventing various eye diseases like xerophthalmia and blindness. An investigative research study has shown that the carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, present in peaches have positive effects associated with a reduced prevalence of nuclear cataract. As suggested by the studies, lutein and zeaxanthin reside in the macular pigment of the eye and help in protecting the retina from age-related macular degeneration. In addition to this, these components present in peaches guard the retinal tissues against the damage caused by free radicals and the potential injury caused by high-wavelength light.

Useful in Pregnancy

Peaches are valuable during pregnancy due to the presence of a wide range of essential vitamins and minerals. Vitamin C helps in the healthy growth of the bones, teeth, skin, muscles, and blood vessels of the baby. It also helps in the absorption of iron, which is extremely crucial during pregnancy. The folate in peaches helps in preventing neural tube defects like spina bifida. Potassium, in peaches, helps in averting the muscle cramps and general fatigue, which is common during pregnancy. The presence of fiber aids in healthy digestion and reduces conditions like constipation.

Aids in Digestion

Peaches are good for maintaining healthy digestive health due to their alkaline content and fiber. Dietary fiber in peaches absorbs water and helps in preventing stomach disorders like constipation, hemorrhoids, stomach ulcers, gastritis, and irregular bowel movements. It also helps in cleansing and eliminating the toxic waste from the intestines and preventing the body from contracting various abdominal disorders, including stomach cancer. Due to its laxative properties, peaches also aid in the dissolution of kidneys and bladder stones.

Maintains Healthy Nervous System

The presence of magnesium in peaches helps prevent stress and anxiety in the body and aids in keeping the nervous system calm. A deficiency of magnesium can affect the functioning of the central nervous system, resulting in hyper excited muscles and the increased activity of nerve signals. An investigative research study conducted in this regard has suggested that the intake of magnesium-rich foods along with vitamin B6 has favorable effects in the treatment of central nervous system hyperexcitability in children. Another study has suggested that magnesium treatment helps in recovering from the symptoms of major depression. The consumption of peaches is also considered beneficial in Ayurvedic therapy for balancing the nervous system.

Treats Obesity

Peaches contain bioactive components that have shown beneficial effects in combating obesity-related disorders. An investigative research study has suggested that the presence of phenolic compounds in peaches have anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity properties which help in fighting metabolic syndromes that can lead to serious health concerns.

Boosts Immunity

Peaches are rich in ascorbic acid and zinc, which aid in the normal functioning of the body and help maintain a healthy immune system. Zinc and vitamin C exert effectual  wound healing and antioxidant properties that help in fighting infections and reducing the prevalence and severity of diseases such as the common cold, malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea. A deficiency of these components can result in oxidative bursts and impaired cellular activity.

Lowers Cholesterol Level

Research  has shown that the phenolic compounds present  in the peel and pulp of the clingstone peaches help in maintaining lower levels of LDL or bad cholesterol and stimulating HDL or good cholesterol. This aids in reducing the risk of developing diseases related to the heart and maintaining an optimal cardiovascular health.

Anti-aging Properties

Peaches are a source of zinc, which has anti-aging properties. The consumption of zinc-rich foods such as peaches promotes the production of antibodies and inhibits the cellular damage caused by free radicals. It also interferes with the aging process of male reproductive organs by boosting the levels of the reproductive hormone testosterone in the body.

Keeps Bones & Teeth Healthy

Peaches contain phosphorus which, along with calcium, helps in strengthening bones and teeth, and maintaining and repairing the bodily tissues. It also aids in the prevention of various bone diseases like decalcification, which can lead to osteoporosis, particularly in post-menopausal women. Consumption of foods rich in phosphorus such as peaches promotes re-mineralization of bones and maintains their rigidity. Along with calcium, the vitamin C content in peaches also plays an important role in the strengthening of jaw bones and gums, which helps in keeping the teeth intact.

Detoxifies the Body

Peaches are beneficial for cleansing and detoxifying the body, and they assist in flushing out harmful toxins from the liver and kidneys. An investigative study has proven that peach extracts possess hepato-protectant elements and are valuable in treating the condition of hepato-toxicity caused as a result of prolonged therapy for various diseases like migraine, tuberculosis, and diabetes. Peaches are widely used in many cultures in the manufacturing of herbal detoxification products such as detox teas.

Treats Blood Stasis

The inner kernel of peaches is suggested to be beneficial in treating the condition of blood stasis in which blood becomes inactive. Blood stasis may arise as a consequence of a long-term deficiency of blood and may result in its dryness. This can happen because of childbirth, abdominal injuries or surgeries.

Improves Cellular Health

Peaches contain iron, which is vital for the formation of hemoglobin in red blood cells. The consumption of foods like peaches is important during all the stages of life, including childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and phases such as menstruation and pregnancy.

Prevents Brain Disorders

Studies have proven that peach extracts exert beneficial effects on the central cholinergic system. The cholinergic system is a neurotransmitter system that acts as the backbone of memory and learning functions. Components present in peaches avert the cholinergic system from degenerating and thus prevent various disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.

Culinary Uses
Due to the abundance of health-promoting compounds, delicious flavor and low calories, peaches are often added as an ingredient in various healthy recipes such as yogurts, shakes, and cakes.

Other Uses of the Peach Tree
Apart from peaches themselves, other parts of the peach tree also provide a range of health benefits.
Peach Leaf: The leaves of the peach tree are beneficial for the treatment of cough, bronchitis, and abdominal disorders. They possess detoxifying, laxative, and diuretic properties, and are also effective in treating abdominal worms and in the healing of wounds. They are also used in the manufacturing of green-colored dyes.
Peach Flowers: The flowers of the peach tree help in relieving the symptoms of constipation and edema.
Peach Kernels: Peach seeds are effective in the treatment of menstrual disorders such as dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, and other conditions including blood stasis, asthma, and cough. They are also beneficial in the treatment of acute appendicitis and dyspnea (shortness of breath), and they promote healthy blood circulation.
Peach Bark: The dried bark of the peach tree is beneficial in the treatment of jaundice and dropsy.

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