Eat Persimmon Fruit for These Fabulous Health Benefits

Persimmon fruit has been popularly grown in Japan for the past 1,300 years and is also produced in China as well as other parts of the world. This fruit, which is technically speaking a berry, is often eaten fresh or may be cooked or even dried. Typically tomato-shaped, persimmons are sweet to the taste but are also wonderfully nutritious. This fruit is rich in nutrients and is associated with many health benefits that are too good to be ignored. If you think the persimmon is merely an exotic fruit trying to look like a tomato, think again. Persimmon will enchant your taste buds while enhancing your health.

Prevent Tumors

Persimmons are rich in betulinic acid which has anti-tumor compounds. This acid has the power to cause tumor cell apoptosis. Essentially the tumor cells die before they have a chance to develop. If you have a tumor already, the betlulinic acid helps prevent the tumor from growing larger or metastasizing. Because persimmons are so rich in antioxidants, they have the power to neutralize disease-causing free radicals. You can enjoy persimmons’ cancer-fighting power simply by adding them to your diet. You can feature them in puddings, cakes, curries, and more.

Control Blood Pressure

Persimmons are rich in nutrients like potassium that has been shown to reduce blood pressure. Once the blood pressure is reduced, there is significantly less strain on the cardiovascular system. High blood pressure is associated with an increased risk for heart disease. By keeping blood pressure in check, you can better protect your heart. If you suffer from hypertension, add more persimmons to your diet. By reducing sodium levels and helping to reduce blood pressure, it can enhance your health. For a delicious snack, enjoy a couple of crostini topped with brie and persimmon slices.

Maintain Blood Sugar Levels

Known to help regulate blood sugar levels, persimmons are a food that people who have from diabetes should consider adding to their diet. Persimmons are rich in fiber, so they can leave you feeling fuller for a longer period. That’s helpful because it may prevent you from reaching for other, less healthy snacks. If you’re looking for a sweet treat, freeze your Fuyu (a sweet variety of persimmon) for about six to eight hours. Then slice through it and spoon out the frozen custard-like goodness—with no sugar added!

Enhance Vision

Protecting our eyes is something we should all be concerned about, especially as we age. From cataract development to macular degeneration, age-related eye problems are a significant health problem around the world. You can better protect your eyes from these conditions by adding more persimmons to your diet. Persimmons contain B complex vitamins like zeaxanthin that are directly associated with eye health. Ramp up your intake of persimmon and you ramp up your intake of those healthful B vitamins. A fun way to enjoy persimmon is to slice them and add them to a cup of frozen vanilla yogurt with a sprinkling of cinnamon.

Persimmon for a Healthy Diet

If you’re trying to eat a more low-fat diet or want to cut calories and lose weight, you can still enjoy the sweetness you crave by eating more persimmons. Persimmons are very low in fat, but a single one contains about six grams of fiber. That fiber leaves you feeling full for a longer period, which makes this fruit such a satisfying snack. Add it to a salad, and you have a healthy lunch that will keep you full while enhancing your health. Furthermore, these sweet treats are high in water content, so they can keep you hydrated, flush away toxins, and enhance your metabolism function.

Strengthen the Immune System

With its high levels of vitamin C, persimmons can strengthen your immune system. When your immune system is working in optimum condition, it can help you fight off things like the flu or common cold. In parts of Asia, persimmons have long been prescribed by traditional medicine practitioners to fight the common cold. Pair your persimmon slices with other delicious fruits like melon and pineapple to enjoy an immune system-boosting fruit salad.

Maintain Healthy Skin

Known to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, persimmons have a reputation as a food that delays the aging process. Persimmons are rich in the antioxidant lycopene. This antioxidant helps protect the skin from damage from UV rays. Not only do these antioxidants guard against cellular damage, but they also help the skin better retain its moisture for a more youthful look. Add persimmon to homemade bread or muffins to enjoy some of their skin-protecting benefits.

Get an Energy Boost

If you’re looking for a natural energy boost, don’t grab that caffeine-laden coffee. Reach for a persimmon. This fruit contains natural sugars and carbohydrates that will give you an energy boost any time of day. Each morning, consider starting your day with a glass of persimmon juice. If you’ve had a rough week and feel exhausted, a cup of persimmon juice can leave you feeling rejuvenated and ready to tackle your next chore or task.

Combat the Effects of Stress

As a nutrient-rich powerhouse, persimmons can help protect your body from the damaging effects of stress. Although stress feels like a mental health problem, and it is, it also affects physical health. Because persimmons are rich in antioxidants, they can help protect the body during those stressful periods. If you have a high-stress job or are going through a difficult time, you should eat more persimmons to keep your physical health on track. Moreover, because they can leave you feeling more energized, you might be more mentally resilient to cope with the stress in your life.

Enhance Thyroid Health

Not many foods are rich in iodine, but persimmons can make that claim. Persimmons can help keep thyroid-related health problems at bay by protecting thyroid health. Your thyroid requires iodine to function optimally. You can get pretty creative with persimmons and feature them in a variety of ways in many different recipes that range from persimmon relish to persimmon chutneys. Including persimmons in your weekly diet will help ensure that you are getting the amount of iodine you need to safeguard your thyroid function.