It’s summer with an abundance of fruit which keep us drooling throughout the season — we have mangoes, we have juicy and scrumptious watermelons, and then we have tasty peaches. And with such mouth-watering and luscious fruits to eat all season the heat becomes bearable! Apart from being a luxury to the taste buds, these yummy fruits have wondrous health benefits which make them a vital part of a healthy diet. Let’s shed some light on the health benefits of the peach and how does it qualify for being a healthy choice in our diet.

Peaches belong to the stone fruit family to which cherries, plum, apricots and nectarines also belong. Velvety and soft outer surface with juicy, scrumptious and sweet yellow pulp on the inside encloses an inedible large seed. Peaches were first grown in China from where they spread across the world and won everyone’s heart. So today, with peaches present in almost every household and market, we can benefit from them tremendously.

Improves eye health

Adding peaches to our regular diet does wonders for eye health and vision owing to the abundance of beta-carotene and vitamins like vitamin A and C. Beta-carotene is a pigment, also found richly in carrots, and gives the characteristic red, orange and yellow colour to fruits and vegetables. Beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A; it safeguards the retina from free radical damage. Peaches also stimulate blood circulation in the body which sharpens eye vision. Furthermore, consuming peaches regularly prevents age-related muscular degeneration eventually reducing the risk of blindness. Moreover, regular intake of peaches helps prevent eye diseases like cataract.

Health benefits of peaches can’t be ignored, this fuzzy fruit is action packed

Controls weight

Peaches are ideal for people wanting to satiate their appetite yet not get fat. Low in calories and fat-free but rich in minerals and vitamins, peaches are a great alternative to other fattening and oily foods we usually consume. Cutting them in slices or eating them in a fruit salad, peaches surely taste delicious in all forms. So if you are planning to go on a diet, or want to carve out a daily healthy eating schedule, don’t forget to add peaches to it!

Prevents cancer

Peaches fight cancer for they contain the ability to combat cancer causing free-radicals! They also possess certain compounds that have anti-cancer and anti-tumour effect and thus inhibit various cancers from developing including lung, breast and colon cancer. Beta-carotene is especially effective in preventing lung cancer.

Maintains skin health

High concentrations of vitamin A and C in peaches are also beneficial for maintaining healthy skin. Added to this, peaches aid in slowing down the aging process, and consequently help in reducing the formation of wrinkles on the skin. This is the reason why they are a common ingredient in anti-aging products. Peaches promote the regeneration of skin tissues which makes them ideal for dry skin. They are also beneficial for people who work outside with direct exposure to sunlight, as they provide protection against the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. Apart from eating them, you can also cut peaches and rub them on your skin if you are facing skin problems like dark circles; peach masks also help remove dead skin from the face. Increased use of peaches results in fresh, revitalised and glowing skin.

Good for the heart

Peaches are good for people with high cholesterol levels, which can lead to problems like diabetes and heart disease. Peaches possess the ability to minimise bad cholesterol (LDL) in the body and increase good cholesterol (HDL). Phenolic compounds present in peaches prevent oxidation of LDL cholesterol, thus maintaining good cardiovascular health.

The high concentration of potassium and low amount of sodium in peaches maintains the body’s water balance which, in turn, results in the maintenance of optimum blood pressure. People at risk of hypertension should add peaches to their diet. Added to this, they contain minerals including zinc, magnesium and iron etc, that contribute to the formation of red blood cells, thereby bringing blood pressure down to optimal levels.

Boosts the immune system

The fruit also boosts the immune system and helps protect the body from ailments or diseases. Peaches aid in strengthening the defence mechanism of the body owing to the abundance of ascorbic acid, zinc and various vitamins including vitamin A, B1, B2 and C. The presence of vitamin C helps prevent colds and help fight off infections we incur from our environment.

Supports digestive health

Peaches are a good source of dietary fibre which provides relief from constipation and maintains good colon health. They also prevent problems like haemorrhoids, gastritis, and stomach ulcers. Peaches help get rid of toxins from the stomach, colon, kidney and liver. The diuretic effect of peaches helps cleanse kidneys and the bladder.

Protects against anaemia

Since peaches have ample reserves of iron, they are essential for people suffering from iron-deficiency anaemia. Iron basically promotes the production of haemoglobin and thereby helps cope with anaemia. Being rich in vitamin C, they aid in better iron absorption.

Little did we know that peach is such a valuable fruit. Well, it’s good that we know now!

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, July 24th, 2016