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The health benefits of peach fruit include
relief from hypokalaemia, cancer, obesity, cholesterol, blood stasis and
neurodegenerative diseases. It helps in maintaining healthy vision, skin care,
nervous system, healthy bones, and teeth. It has anti-aging properties and also
helps in detoxification, as well as improving digestion and cellular health. It
has a wealth of essential nutrients and antioxidants which are valuable during
pregnancy and it helps in strengthening the immune system.
Besides its refreshing taste and aroma,
peaches are rich in carotenoids and offer a variety of health benefits.
Antioxidant
Capacity: The peels and the pulp of peaches possess
significant antioxidant properties. The presence of chromogenic acid in peaches
also contribute to their protective effects. Antioxidants such as lutein,
zeaxanthin, and beta-crytoxanthin help in scavenging the oxygen-derived free
radicals and protect the body against the harmful effects of various diseases.
Hypokalaemia: Peaches contain potassium, which is vital for proper nerve signalling
and cellular functioning of the body. The potassium content in peaches also
helps in metabolic processes, utilizing carbohydrates, maintaining electrolyte
balance, and the regulation of muscular tissues. A lack of potassium in the
body can lead to hypokalaemia which can affect muscular strength and can cause
an irregular heartbeat.
Cancer: Peaches are rich in phenolic and carotenoid compounds, which
possess anti-tumour and anti-cancer properties, as well as helping in fighting
various types of cancers such as breast cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer .
Studies have supported the fact that chlorogenic acid and neochlorogenic acid
present in peaches exert beneficial effects in inhibiting the growth of breast
cancer cells without affecting the normal cells, unlike cancer treatment with
chemotherapy, which negatively affects healthy cells as well. In addition to
this, research has shown that the botanical group Rosaceae, which includes
peaches, is rich in beta-carotene, thereby providing protective effects against
lung cancer.
Skin Care: Peaches help in maintaining healthy skin owing to the presence
of a good amount of vitamin C, which also provides a defence against harmful
free radicals and infections. Peaches also exert protective effects on the skin
against ultraviolet radiation. Studies have provided evidence that the
antioxidants zeaxanthin and lutein have significant anti-inflammatory effects
on the skin damage caused by UV-B radiation and they protect the skin from the hyper
proliferation of cells. Flavonoids present in peaches have photo protective
effects and help in preventing the skin from UV-induced erythema.
Peaches are widely used in the cosmetic
industry for the manufacturing of skin creams and beauty packs. The wealth of
flavonoids and essential vitamins and minerals in peaches help in sloughing off
dead cells, as well as hydrating and revitalizing the skin. The antioxidants
promote faster recovery of skin problems such as blemishes and spots.
Eye Health: Peaches are rich in beta-carotene, which gets converted into
vitamin A within the body. Beta-carotene plays an important role in maintaining
healthy eyesight and prevents various eye diseases like xerophthalmia and
blindness. An investigative research study has shown that the carotenoids
lutein and zeaxanthin present in peaches have positive effects associated with
a reduced prevalence of nuclear cataract. As suggested by the studies, lutein
and zeaxanthin reside in the macular pigment of the eye and help in protecting
the retina from age-related macular degeneration. In addition to this, these
components present in peaches guard the retinal tissues from the damage caused
by free radicals and the potential injury caused by high-wavelength light.
Pregnancy: Peaches are valuable during pregnancy due to the presence of a
wide range of essential vitamins and minerals. Vitamin C helps in the healthy
growth of the bones, teeth, skin, muscles, and blood vessels of the baby. It
also helps in the absorption of iron, which is extremely crucial during
pregnancy. The folate in peaches helps in preventing neural tube defects like
spina bifida. Potassium content in peaches helps in averting the muscle cramps
and general fatigue common during pregnancy. The presence of fibre aids in
healthy digestion and reduces conditions like constipation.
Digestion: Peaches are good for maintaining healthy digestive health due to
their alkaline content and fibre. Dietary fibre in peaches absorbs water and
helps in preventing stomach disorders like constipation, haemorrhoids, stomach
ulcers, gastritis and irregular bowel movements. It also helps in cleansing and
eliminating the toxic waste from the intestines and preventing the body from
contracting various abdominal disorders, including stomach cancer. Due to its
laxative properties, peaches also aid in the dissolution of kidneys and bladder
stones.
Nervous System: The presence of magnesium in peaches helps to prevent stress and
anxiety in the body and aids in keeping the nervous system calm. A deficiency
of magnesium can affect the functioning of the central nervous system,
resulting in hyper excited muscles and the increased activity of nerve signals.
An investigative research study conducted in this regard has suggested that the
intake of magnesium-rich foods along with vitamin B-6 has favourable effects in
the treatment of central nervous system hyper-excitability in children. Another
study has suggested that magnesium treatment helps in recovering from the
symptoms of major depression. The consumption of peaches is also considered
beneficial in Ayurvedic therapy for balancing the nervous system.
Obesity: Peaches contain bioactive components that have shown beneficial
effects in combating obesity-related disorders. An investigative research study
has suggested that the presence of phenolic compounds in peaches have
anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity properties which help in fighting metabolic
syndromes that can otherwise lead to serious health concerns.
Immune System: Peaches are rich in ascorbic acid and zinc, which aid in the
normal functioning of the body and help to maintain a healthy immune system.
Zinc and vitamin C exert effectual wound healing and antioxidant properties
that help in fighting infections and reducing the prevalence and severity of
diseases such as the common cold, malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhoea. A
deficiency of these components can result in oxidative bursts and impaired
cellular activity.
Low Cholesterol
Levels: Research has shown that phenolic compounds present in the peel
and pulp of the clingstone peaches helps in maintaining lower levels of LDL
cholesterol and stimulating good HDL cholesterol. This aids in reducing the
risk of developing diseases related to the heart and maintains optimal
cardiovascular health.
Anti-Aging: Peaches are a source of zinc, which has anti-aging properties.
The consumption of zinc-rich foods such as peaches promotes the production of
antibodies and inhibits the cellular damage caused by free radicals. It also
interferes with the aging process of male reproductive organs by boosting the
levels of the reproductive hormone testosterone in the body.
Healthy Bones and
Teeth: Peaches contain phosphorous which, along with calcium, helps in
strengthening bones and teeth and helping in the maintenance and repair of
bodily tissues. It also aids in the prevention of various bone diseases like
decalcification, which can lead to osteoporosis, particularly in
post-menopausal women. Consumption of foods rich in phosphorus such as peaches promotes
re-mineralization of bones and maintains their rigidity. Along with calcium,
the vitamin C content in peaches also plays an important role in the
strengthening of jaw bones and gums which helps in keeping the teeth intact.
Detoxification: Peaches are beneficial for cleansing and detoxifying the body
and they assist in flushing out harmful toxins from the liver and kidneys. An
investigative study has proven that peach extracts possess hepato-protectant
elements and are valuable in treating the condition of hepato-toxicity caused
as a result of prolonged therapy for various diseases like migraine,
tuberculosis, and diabetes. Peaches are widely used in eastern cultures in the
manufacturing of herbal detoxification products such as detox teas.
Blood Stasis: The inner kernel of peaches has been suggested to be beneficial
in treating the condition of blood stasis in which the blood becomes inactive.
Blood stasis may arise as a consequence of a long-term deficiency of blood, and
may result in dryness of blood. This can also happen because of childbirth,
abdominal injuries, or surgeries.
Cellular Health: Peaches contain iron, which is vital for the formation of haemoglobin
in red blood cells. The consumption of foods like peaches is important during
all the stages of life, including childhood, adolescence, adulthood and phases
such as menstruation and pregnancy.
Neurodegenerative
Disorders: Studies have proven that peach extracts exert
beneficial effects on the central cholinergic system. The cholinergic system is
a neurotransmitter system that acts as the backbone of memory and learning
functions. Components present in peaches avert the cholinergic system from
degenerating and prevents various disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.
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