An edible fruit originally from China, Persimmon is quite famous for its tomato-like texture as well as sweet and honey-like flavour. Persimmons are basically orange in colour and besides, the trees have been grown for thousands of years for their highly pleasant fruit and woods. Among hundreds of varieties, only the Hachiya and Fuyu varieties are the most-popular ones.
Persimmons are not usually considered to be berries but however morphologically the fruit is in fact a berry. In the year 2019 China single handedly produced 75% of the world’s total persimmon. In most cases the trees grow up to 4.5 to 18 metres (15 to 60 feet in height). Moreover, the leaves are 3-6 inches long and bluish-green in colour. The upper surface of the leaves are leathery and glossy and however, underneath it looks brown and silky.
Persimmons can be eaten fresh, dried as well as cooked. They are commonly consumed around the world in the form of jellies, drinks, pies, curries and puddings. The fruit usually cannot be eaten raw and has to be fully ripe before consuming. Unlike the Fuyu variety which is crispy, it can be enjoyed even though it is not completely ripe.
Persimmons not only uniquely taste delicious but are packed with nutrients that benefit health in several ways.
Rich in fibre
Persimmons are high in fibre and have been found in reducing the level of bad cholesterol and high sugar levels. Moreover, fibre also helps in increasing the level of good bacteria in intestines, which can positively impact your digestive system and overall health.
Persimmon which is a soluble fibre-rich food slow carbohydrate digestion and sugar absorption, which helps prevent blood sugar spikes.
Weight Loss friendly fruit and a good source of antioxidants
Persimmons are low in calories and loaded with fibre which eventually makes them a weight loss-friendly food. They also contain a wide array of plant compounds that includes tannins, flavonoids and carotenoids which positively can impact your health.
Persimmons also contain beneficial plant compounds that have powerful antioxidant qualities. The antioxidants in persimmon prevent, fight and reduce cell damage that is caused by oxidative stress. And may decrease the risk of certain chronic diseases, metabolic disease, lower the rates of heart disease, lung cancer and also show a decline in age-related mental issues.
A study found that over 37,000 people with high dietary intake of beta-carotene significantly had low risk of developing two types of diabetes.
Health benefits
The nutrients found in persimmons undoubtedly makes them an excellent source for boosting heart health. The flavonoids present in persimmon reduce the risk of heart disease and a study over 98,000 people found that those with the intake of high flavonoids had 18% fewer deaths from heart related issues then rest compared to the lowest intake.
The flavonoids-rich foods like the unripe persimmons lower the risk of blood pressure and reduce bad cholesterol.
Persimmons are an excellent source of antioxidant vitamin C and its intake also reduces inflammation which is a common cause of many diseases. The vitamin C present in persimmon protects the cells from damage caused by free-radicals.
Additionally, a large number of studies have also linked that intake of vitamin C reduces risk of inflammatory conditions like heart disease, prostate cancer and diabetes.
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