Peaches belong to the Rosaceae family that also includes plums and cherries. The following article provides information on the nutritional value and health benefits of this juicy fruit.
The botanical name of peach is Prunus persica. It is believed that this fruit actually originated in China, where it was grown 2000 years before it was discovered by ancient Romans, who took it to Persia. These juicy fruits belong to the family of cherry and plum.
They are mainly grown in Mediterranean climate and are also called stone fruits or drupes. They are grown mainly in China, Italy, USA, France, Greece, and Spain. Prunus that have white flesh are sweet, while the yellow ones are tangy.
This stone fruit is rich in calories and has a high nutritional value. Below listed are its nutrient contents in detail:
Nutritional Value
1 single peach contains | |
Calories | 54 kcal |
Protein | 0.91 g |
Fat | 0.25 g |
Carbohydrate | 9.54 g |
Sugar | 8.39 g |
Calcium | 6 mg |
Potassium | 190 mg |
Zinc | 0.17 mg |
Iron | 0.25 mg |
Selenium | 0.1 micro gram |
Vitamin C | 6.6 mg |
Health Benefits
- Consumption of these stone fruits make your skin healthy and vibrant, and prevent skin tanning.
- Its juice cures stomach worms.
- It contains 80% water and is an excellent source of dietary fiber. Including this fruit in your daily diet ensures regular bowel movement.
- Being an excellent source of antioxidants, it can lower the risk of damage caused by free radicals.
- It can prove beneficial for people affected by arthritis and gout.
- Homeopathy suggests that a herbal infusion made from its flowers has sedative properties and is ideal for children who are restless.
- A medium-sized peach has 54 calories. These calories are unsaturated fats which are termed as good calories; which makes it a perfect snack or a dessert.
- It is also a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E.
- Having this stone fruit daily also protects the skin from harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. It is also a part of the nutritionists recommended ‘5 day diet of fruits and vegetables’ to lose weight.
- It is also recommended for reducing cholesterol in blood.
- The tea prepared from this fruit is recommended for patients who are often affected by dry cough. This tea is a very popular beverage in Japan, and is consumed after every meal.
- It is considered as a natural medicine for frequent fatigue and depression.
- As this fruit is rich in sugar and carbohydrates, it is an excellent source of energy to people involved in sports activity.
- Being rich in phosphorus, it is also recommended for people affected by calcium deficiency.
- Its pulp can be mixed with a teaspoon of sweet almond oil to make a face mask for dry and oily skin.
It has medicinal properties but still bears a great taste as well.
Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by an expert on the subject.