7 Benefits of Persimmon Fruit that are Important for Health
Have you ever eaten or just heard the name of the persimmon fruit? Indeed, the fruit with a sweet, fresh and juicy taste is less popular in Indonesia. But make no mistake, persimmons have many health benefits for your body. So, what is the nutritional content in persimmons? Check out the reviews below.
The nutritional content of persimmon fruit
Persimmons are a type of fruit native to China that spread to Japan and other parts of Asia. If this fruit has been planted and used since thousands of years ago.
Persimmon has a Latin name Diospyros of the legs and known as leg fruit in Japanese, which is taken from the name of the tannins produced by this fruit. In English, common persimmon is referred to as oriental persimmon.
For those of you who have never eaten persimmon, this fruit tastes sweet like honey. The tannin content in it, may cause a harsh sensation. Although small, persimmons have a lot of nutrients that are beneficial for health.
Well, based on Indonesian Food Composition Data (DKPI), per 100 grams of persimmon you can enjoy a variety of nutrients, such as:
- Water: 78.2 grams
- Calories: 78 kcal
- Protein: 0.8 grams
- Fat: 0.4 grams
- Carbohydrate: 20.0 grams
- Fiber: 0.6 grams
- Calcium: 6 milligrams
- Phosphor: 26 milligrams
- Iron: 0.3 milligrams
- Sodium: 0 milligrams
- Potassium: 34.5 milligrams
- Copper: 0.13 milligrams
- Zinc: 0.1 milligram
- Beta carotene: 109 micrograms
- Total carotene: 2,710 micrograms
- Thiamin (Vit. B1): 0.05 milligram
- Riboflavin (Vit B2): 0.00 milligrams
- Niacin (Vit. B3): 0.1 milligram
- Vitamin C: 11 milligrams
Benefits of persimmon for health
Don’t just know the name, persimmon fruit has various kinds of goodness thanks to the womb vitamin and mineral inside it. Types of vitamins, such as vitamin A and vitamin C which are widely contained in persimmons are needed by your body.
The tannin content in persimmon fruit not only causes the effect of color and taste, but also acts as an antioxidant. Persimmon fruit also contains other antioxidant compounds, such as flavonoids and carotenoids.
Here are the various health benefits of persimmon that you can feel.
1. Prevent the growth of cancer cells
Persimmon fruit is rich antioxidants. Antioxidant compounds can help prevent or slow down cell damage by warding off free radicals. Free radicals are known to damage healthy cells that can develop into cancer cells and damage organ systems.
According to research published in Experimental and Clinical Sciences Journal, Antioxidant compounds, such as carotenoids and catechins in persimmons act as powerful anticancer agents. In addition, persimmon also contains other antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin A, beta carotene, and flavonoids.
Flavonoids, including powerful antioxidants found in the skin and flesh of the persimmon. Research has shown that a diet or diet that is high in flavonoids can help reduce the risk of lung cancer due to aging.
In addition, a study also states that a diet high in beta carotene is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, lung cancer, colon cancer, and metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus.
2. Reducing inflammation
Persimmons contain compounds anti-inflammatorywhich can help restore inflammation in the body. Again, this is due to the benefits of the various kinds of antioxidants in persimmons.
When experiencing inflammation, the body usually produces C-reactive protein and interleukin-6. To neutralize it, the body needs intake vitamin C.
Vitamin C is able to reduce free radical damage by donating electrons to unstable molecules. That way, the body will avoid further damage.
In addition, the content of carotenoids, flavonoids, and vitamin E in persimmons also helps fight inflammation in the body.
3. Maintain eye health
Content vitamin A and the antioxidants in persimmon have other, no less amazing benefits. Persimmons contain about 55 percent of your daily recommended intake of vitamin A.
Vitamin A is one of the important components for the formation of rhodopsin, a protein the body needs so that the eyes can function and see normally. In addition, vitamin A also helps support the function of the conjunctival membrane and cornea.
The lutein and zeaxanthin in persimmons can also reduce the risk of certain eye diseases, including macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is an eye disease that affects the retina and can cause blindness.
4. Boosts the immune system
Persimmon is one type of fruit that has important benefits for boosting the immune system. The ascorbic acid content in persimmon can meet about 80 percent of your daily vitamin C requirement.
Research published in Journal of Food Quality found evidence that vitamin C stimulates the immune system. You do this by increasing the production of white blood cells which become the body’s shield from microbial, viral, fungal, and toxin infections.
As a result, the vitamin C you get by consuming persimmons regularly is useful for avoiding various common health problems, such as coughs, colds and flu.
5. Maintain digestive health
Like most fruits, persimmons are a great source natural fiber which is very good for the body. Fiber has many benefits for the body, such as:
- Stimulates intestinal peristalsis to move food as it passes through the digestive tract.
- Helps compact stool.
- Increase the secretion of gastric and digestive fluids.
- Relieves symptoms of constipation and diarrhea.
You can keep your digestive system healthy by consuming it regularly high-fiber foods. Fiber also protects you from various risks of digestive disorders, including colorectal cancer, aka colon cancer.
Fiber is also an important nutrient for those of you who intend to lose weight.
6. Maintain heart health
The combination of various nutritional content in persimmons is very helpful in maintaining and improving heart health. This fruit contains flavonoid antioxidants, including quercetin and kaempferol.
In research published on American Journal Clinical of Nutrition, found amazing facts. More than 98,000 people who ate a diet high in flavonoids had an 18 percent lower risk of dying from heart problems.
Other evidence also states that flavonoid-rich foods help lower high blood pressure, reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) levels, and reduce inflammation. In fact, the tannin content in persimmons has benefits for lowering blood pressure.
7. Against premature aging
Persimmons contain a number of vitamins and antioxidants that have the benefit of reducing free radicals and fighting premature aging. Vitamin A, beta carotene, lutein, lycopene, and cryptoxanthin are important compounds that play a role in this.
Published research Biological And Pharmaceutical Bulletin proved that certain types of polyphenols in persimmons have a role to provide protection against oxidative damage that can cause aging.
For that, eating persimmon can help slow down premature aging, such as delaying muscle weakness, the appearance of wrinkles, to brown spots on the face.
Tips for safe eating persimmon fruit
You can eat persimmon fresh and ripe directly. This fruit has a sweet, slightly spicy, and juicy taste. You can also find this fruit in processed form, for example as sweets or jam.
You may find some persimmons unripe or not too ripe. You speed up the ripening process of persimmons by soaking them in lime water or by brooding them for a few days.
Study by a group of Turkish researchers showed the effect of persimmon fruit content which can lower blood pressure in rat objects. Excessive eating of persimmons has the potential to significantly lower blood pressure, which puts people at risk for low blood pressure (hypotension).
You may feel allergic effects after eating persimmons, such as red rashes, itching, swelling, and difficulty breathing. If you experience these conditions, contact your doctor to get immediate treatment.
Hello Health Group and Hello Sehat do not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please check our editorial policy page for more detailed information.
