9 Astonishing Reasons Why Peaches Are Good For You.

Random facts about Peaches

There is evidence that peaches were cultivated as early as 6000 BCE in China, where it’s believed they bring luck, abundance and protection. China is still the world’s largest producer of this fruit with Italy being the world’s second producer.

The Romans called this furry fruit “Persian Apples” naming them after the country that introduced peaches to the West.

Christopher Columbus brought peach trees to America on his second and third voyages.

Peach trees and fruit often appear in European art and literature from artists like Caravaggio, Renoir, Monet, Manet and Van Gogh as symbols of love, health, beauty, fertility, sensuality and the transience of life.

There are over 2000 varieties.

Nectarines are a variety of peach, not a cross between a peach and a plum.

Former President of the U.S. Ronald Reagan, proclaimed August to be Peach Month.

They are members of the rose family.

Wild peaches are only found in China and they’re small, sour and very fuzzy.

The average lifespan of peach trees is 12 years old and they have delicate pink blossoms.

Their stones contain hydrocyanic acid which in large amounts can be toxic. If you were (very unlikely!) to eat the stones, you would have to eat 10 in a day to get a dangerous dose of this chemical!

Finally, the world’s heaviest peach was grown in July 2018. It weighed a whopping 816.46g or 1lb 12oz!

9 Astonishing reasons why peaches are good for you.

1. They can help to fight inflammation in your body.

2. May help your digestion. Peaches contain around 2 grams of fibre.

3. May improve your heart health. One or two studies have shown that peaches may lower bad cholesterol, blood pressure and triglycerides. More research is needed.

4. May protect your skin. Research has shown that compounds in peaches could improve your skin’s ability to keep moisture. Also, extracts made from peach flowers or flesh applied directly to your skin may help to prevent UV damage.

5. They could prevent certain types of cancer. Their skin and flesh are full of carotenoids and caffeic acid which have been found to have anti-cancer properties. One study of 24 years demonstrated that postmenopausal women who ate at least 2 peaches or nectarines each day had a 41% lower risk of developing breast cancer. Again, more research is needed.

6. Reduce allergy symptoms. Peaches may prevent the release of histamines (part of your body’s defence system which can make you sneeze and itch) in your blood.

7. Help your immune system. This fruit is high in antioxidants. In fact, one medium peach has up to 13.2% of vitamin C. Studies have indicated they could fight certain types of bacteria.

8. They could reduce your blood sugar levels.

9. Help your eyesight. Peaches contain beta-carotene which is turned into vitamin A. As you know, this vitamin is essential for healthy vision. Also, this fruit contains lutein and zeaxanthin, which have been shown to protect your retina and lens and reduce your risk of macular degeneration (condition affecting your middle part of your vision) and cataracts.

At the moment, I eat flat nectarines. I prefer nectarines just because I’m not keen on the furry texture of peaches. Growing up, I remember eating tinned peaches but I think fresh ones taste much better.

What about you? Do prefer peaches or nectarines? And how do you eat them? Let me know in the comments section below.

Sources: mobile-cuisine.com, justfunfacts.com, guinessworldrecords.com, rhs.org.uk, blog-aghires.com, fruitguys.com, healthline.com, sciencedirect.com, webmd.com, health.com, medicalnews today.com, healthbenefitstimes.com, nutrition-and-you.com, nhs.uk