Persimmon - The Benefits And Harms Of Persimmons, Composition, Calorie Content. How And Where Does Persimmon Grow?

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 02:10

Persimmon

Persimmon, as soon as it appears on our tables, certainly pleases everyone with its unusually delicate and sweet taste. It is also known that this fruit is a real storehouse of vitamins and nutrients that nature presents to us at the end of autumn.

As you can see from practice, it is enough to eat 2-3 fruits to satisfy your hunger, therefore nutritionists in many countries recommend the use of persimmons with a wide variety of diets - the figure will not suffer from this, but the body will be of great benefit.

Composition and calorie content

• Fats: 0.5 g
• Proteins: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 16.9 g
• Water: 81.5 g
• Ash: 0.6 g
• Cellulose: 2.6 g

Vitamins (per 100 g):	amount	% RDA
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)	7.6 mg	152%
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)	7.5-66.0 mg	53%
Beta Cryptoxanthin	1447 μg	29%
Beta carotene	1200 mcg	24%
Vitamin B7 (biotin)	7.5 mcg	fifteen%
Lutein + Zeaxanthin	834 μg	fourteen%

Minerals (in 100 g):	amount	% RDA
Rubidium	63 μg	63%
Iodine	60 mcg	40%
Cobalt	3.64 μg	36%
Lithium	28.1 μg	28%
Manganese	355 μg	18%
Iron	2.5 mg	17%
Vanadium	6.5 mcg	sixteen%
Chromium	7.9 mcg	sixteen%
Molybdenum	10.5 mcg	fifteen%
Magnesium	56 mg	fourteen%
Calcium	127 mg	12%
Copper	113 μg	eleven%
Potassium	200 mg	eight%

Other important connections:

• Phytosterols - 4.0 mg (7.3% of the RDI)
• Purines - 1.7 mg (2% of the RDI)

Complete chemical composition ➤

The benefits of persimmon

Persimmons contain large amounts of potassium, magnesium and carotene, which are effective cancer prevention agents. In terms of their content, it is not inferior even to such famous fruits as figs, grapes and apples. Its pulp contains up to 15% fructose and glucose; vitamins A, C and P are present in significant concentration, which maintain the elasticity of blood vessels. This fruit also contains a lot of proteins, carbohydrates, organic acids, tannins, calcium, manganese, iron and sodium. In terms of antioxidant content, it is not inferior to green tea.

Why is persimmon useful? All the beneficial properties of this healing and delicious fruit are hard to count. It contains pectin substances that actively affect the intestinal microflora and have a bonding effect. It is they who give the pulp an astringent taste. It also contains a lot of iron, which is especially beneficial for anemia. The use of persimmons is recommended for pregnant women. For coughs and colds, it is good to gargle with the juice of one ripe fruit diluted in 100 grams of warm water.

Persimmon has a tonic and restorative effect, increases efficiency, improves appetite, calms the nervous system. It actively nourishes the heart muscle and strengthens the cardiovascular system. All this is possible due to the content of monosaccharides in fruits. At the same time, in contrast to the cases of the use of refined sugar, the level of glucose in the blood does not reach a critical level. In addition, the daily consumption of ripe pulp (in season) will make up for the deficiency of organic iodine, which is very useful for our thyroid gland.

Those people who are forced to regularly take diuretics will agree that they provoke the leaching of potassium from the body and to replenish its reserves, you need to drink special potassium-containing drugs. At the same time, taking additional medications can be avoided if you include persimmon in your diet, alternating its use with apples and apricots.

This unique product is also appreciated in cosmetology. Derivatives from it are often found in shampoos, creams and masks. If you wish, you can significantly improve the condition of your skin at home. To do this, the pulp of a ripe berry should be applied for 8-10 minutes on a cleansed face, and then rinsed with warm water.

Vitamins in persimmon

This fruit is one of the richest in vitamins. It contains: vitamin C, provitamin A, vitamins A, P, citric and malic acid, as well as a number of other useful elements. Due to its high content of provitamin A, persimmon is a very valuable food product. The presence of beta-carotene in ripe fruits helps to rejuvenate the skin, allowing it to remain soft and silky for as long as possible. In addition, provitamin A improves the sexual functions of the male body.

The fruits of persimmon contain a high concentration of carotene, which in combination with vitamin C is more effective in improving vision. The fruits of this medicinal plant are recommended to be consumed as often as possible, since the groups of vitamins they contain stimulate the human immune system, thus avoiding a whole list of diseases. For example, vitamin A has long been noted by scientists as an effective prophylactic agent against cancer, and vitamins C and P significantly reduce the fragility of blood vessels.

Official science has proven that when using foods containing beta-carotene, smokers significantly reduce the risk of lung cancer, and in terms of beta-carotene content, persimmon leaves many berries and fruits far behind. Among other things, the presence of vitamin C in it tones up the body well and increases efficiency.

Iodine content in persimmons

Persimmons are rich in iodine, although not as much as seaweed, but persimmons can be eaten a lot. 100 g of persimmon contains 60 μg of iodine, which satisfies 40% of the daily requirement. However, given that the weight of even one whole persimmon varies from 150 to 300 g, 1 piece per day is enough to get all the iodine requirement.

Lack of iodine in the body can lead to a number of serious diseases, up to the deterioration of mental activity. In addition, iodine is one of the main components that stabilize the functions of the immune system. He himself is not produced by the body, so persimmon can become an irreplaceable source of this useful element.

It is also worth noting that it is precisely due to the high presence of iodine in the pulp of fruits that their use has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the thyroid gland.

[Video] Who benefits from persimmon, and who is contraindicated for? Nutritionist Tips:

Persimmon harm

By itself, this food product is not harmful, it is only necessary to take into account the recommendations of doctors for some diseases. Persimmon should be used with caution by those people who suffer from constipation, intestinal atony, adhesions of the abdominal cavity after surgery.

Moreover, the fruits must be chosen ripe enough so that the amount of astringent substances in them is minimal, since unripe persimmons contain a large amount of tannin, which acts like flour and, as it were, glues the particles of digested food together.

You should not use this fruit for patients with diabetes mellitus, as the fruit contains a lot of sugars. However, a little juicy and ripe pulp can sometimes be pampered.

Persimmon will not be useful for kidney and bladder diseases in the acute stage. It is able to cause frequent urination, which will be an additional and unnecessary burden on the patient's excretory system. In addition, this fruit is not compatible with milk, which should also be considered when choosing a diet for the day.

Persimmon for women and children

The fruits of this plant are especially popular among women, because it is no secret that their calorie content is low, so they will not harm a slender female figure in the least. Moreover, the pulp of the fruit is good for the skin, as it contains a large amount of antioxidants that slow down the aging process.

It is recommended to mix the ground persimmon pulp in a 1: 1 ratio with milk or cream and apply on the face for 15–20 minutes, and then rinse the face with warm water. The mask is good for aging and aging skin. To achieve a lasting effect, a course of 20 procedures is required.

Another mask recipe: the pulp of one fruit should be kneaded and mixed with starch or oatmeal, the resulting mixture should be applied to the face for 15 minutes, then rinsed with cool water. This remedy works effectively on all skin types.

Persimmon during pregnancy

During pregnancy, many women revise their diet to include foods with enough vitamins and bioactive substances that are good for their baby. And in this case, you should not disregard such a healthy fruit as persimmon. It replenishes the body's need for calcium, which is necessary for the formation of the fetal bone skeleton, has a beneficial effect on the digestive system of pregnant women and promotes the elimination of harmful substances.

However, these are not all the useful properties of persimmon! It helps fight puffiness, removing excess fluid from the body, replenishes the loss of potassium and other vital trace elements, normalizes metabolic processes and serves as a preventive measure for anemia. Also, this fruit can be used for cosmetic purposes, because pregnant women are often tormented by problems with the skin of the face. It is a good remedy for shrinking pores and eliminating blackheads.

For a mask, mix the pulp of a whole fruit with egg yolk and apply for 20 minutes on problem skin areas.

Can a nursing mother use persimmon?

Not only during pregnancy, but also during breastfeeding, many women adhere to a special diet - and this is right, since foods rich in vitamins and minerals can, in addition to being beneficial, harm the baby. In this regard, persimmon is also an ambiguous product. On the one hand, it helps prevent anemia and restores the mother's immunity after the birth of a child, on the other hand, it can cause an allergic reaction in the baby.

How to be? It is unambiguous that it is not worthwhile to completely exclude this healthy fruit from a woman's diet, it just needs to be consumed with caution and in small portions. However, if a child has diathesis about the possibility of eating fruits, it is imperative to consult a doctor.

Persimmon for children

Until the child reaches the age of three, there can be no question of introducing this fruit into his diet. In the still not fully formed gastrointestinal tract of the baby, due to the astringent substances of these fruits, a sticky lump can form, which will lead to intestinal obstruction.

After three years, the child can be given only one ripe medium-sized fruit per day, but you should start with very small portions. If the child's body reacts normally to this fruit, then portions can be gradually increased. Of course, it is best if the child starts eating persimmons from the age of ten.

If someone doubts whether persimmon is useful for children, then it is always worth remembering that excessive consumption of any products can harm the human body.

Persimmon for diabetes

The glycemic index of persimmon is 45 - this is an average indicator according to the GI table, in some cases it can be recommended for diabetes, but in very limited quantities, since its sugar content is quite high.

Persimmon for weight loss

In the process of studying persimmon, it turned out that it is a very valuable product in dietetics. Its fruits allow you to lose extra pounds more effectively and without harming your health. Nutritionists say that just one fruit supplies the body with about 60 kcal, pectin and fiber, which allows you to feel full and significantly dull hunger. Vitamins A, B, C and a number of useful microelements contained in the fruits of this medicinal plant will help support the body during fasting.

Very often a diet is used in which persimmon replaces one meal per day, first it will be breakfast, then lunch, and at the end and dinner, in other words, it is brought to the point that only persimmons are consumed all day. Further, the alternation starts again in a circle. The rest of the meals should be filled with low-fat foods: fish, cottage cheese, boiled meat, and others. Such a diet will be beneficial for people who are unable to withstand severe food restrictions. It should be used once a month for a week.

It is also very useful to arrange for yourself the so-called fasting days, in which persimmons will be the main food. This will help remove various toxins and excess fluid from the body. With this diet, you should eat one fruit at the first feeling of hunger, but it is not recommended to consume more than 2 kg of fruit per day. Diets with persimmon will be especially useful for those with a sweet tooth. They will help not only lose extra pounds, but also cleanse the skin.

Calorie persimmon

Despite the large amount of sugars in persimmon and a fairly high degree of its satiety, the calorie content of the fruit is relatively low. It is for this reason that nutritionists recommend that people who are overweight include this healthy fruit in their diet. Having eaten only 2-3 medium fruits (150-170 grams), you can feel a quick satiety without worrying about extra pounds. The fruits, of course, should be fully ripe.

If you did buy an unripe persimmon, try freezing it. After thawing, the fruit will surely become sweeter and softer. In addition, the astringent taste will go away - the result of an excess of tannins and tannin. Unripe fruits can be kept in warm water for 10-12 hours or placed in a bag with apples, which will also speed up their ripening.

How many calories are in persimmons? 100 grams of persimmon contains from 53 to 60 kilocalories, of which carbohydrates - 16.9 g, proteins - 0.5 g, fats - 0 grams. Its pulp contains: water - 81.5 g; dietary fiber - 1.6 g; beta-carotene - 1.2 mg; potassium - 200 mg; calcium - 127 mg; magnesium - 56 mg and iron - 2.5 mg. A small portion of this healthy fruit can put your nerves in order, increase efficiency and improve your mood.

How and where does persimmon grow?

At the sight of persimmons on the shelves of stores or markets, many people are interested in the question: where does this unusual fruit grow? This plant is a deciduous tree that grows mainly in countries with warm climates. Moreover, in the fall, after the leaves begin to fall off, the fruits of this medicinal plant remain to ripen on the tree. Even the Indians told the first European conquerors that persimmon is not recommended to be consumed until the first cold weather.

Despite the fact that the plant prefers a warm climate, it does not require a large amount of moisture, it is rather unpretentious and frost-resistant. Some varieties can withstand temperatures down to –20 ° C. The only requirement for persimmons is a special soil composition. Like all fruit trees, persimmon blooms rather late and bears the first ripe fruits in late autumn (depending on the variety, in October-December).

Nowadays, the plant is widespread in China, Japan, Indonesia, northern India, the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, Australia and the Philippines. It is also grown in Italy, Algeria, France, Vietnam and several other countries.

How to choose a good persimmon?

Persimmon "Korolek"

One of the most popular persimmon varieties among the people has always been "Korolek". It can be easily identified by its slightly flattened shape and orange skin color. The fruit pulp has a brownish color, hence the second name of this variety - "chocolate". By the way, the darker the pulp, the sweeter the taste of this fruit. A peculiarity of the variety is that after its use in the mouth there is no feeling of viscosity.

"Korolek" is not only one of the most delicious, but also one of the most useful varieties of persimmon. It contains significant amounts of pectin, dietary fiber and slow carbohydrates, making this fruit a good aid in the fight against digestive upset. In addition, this persimmon variety is a valuable dietary product. Due to its diuretic properties, it is used by folk medicine to eliminate cardiac and renal edema.

"Korolek" is actively grown in Japan, China, Mediterranean countries, and in addition - in South Africa, Central Asia, the Caucasus and Crimea.

Pitted persimmon

Among the many different methods of plant propagation, one of the most popular and effective is growing a tree from a bone. This method was often used in the old days and can be successfully used to obtain young shoots at home. Moreover, it does not require any excessive efforts.

How to grow a persimmon from a stone ? To grow persimmons from the stone, you must do the following: immediately after eating the fruit, rinse and dry the seeds thoroughly, then place them in a pot with soil about 2 cm deep, cover with cellophane wrap and put it in a warm place. In the winter months, a hot battery will do just fine.

The seeds will give the first shoots in about two weeks - it makes no sense to keep them any longer. The pot covered with cellophane must be periodically ventilated and do not forget to add water as the soil dries. Cellophane can be removed after the first shoots appear. Young shoots can reach fifteen centimeters in height.

In some cases, a bone may remain at the end of the sprout. Since its valves are very tightly closed, the plant may die if the stone does not fall off within a few days. If this does not happen, then it is necessary to remove it yourself with the help of thin scissors or a needle. If the bone does not give in, then it should be steamed, after which it is removed much easier. For steaming it is sprayed with water and placed in a plastic bag overnight.

It should be remembered that persimmon sprouts grow quite quickly and after a while they need to be transplanted into large pots. The lack of space negatively affects the root system, so the plant may die.

Contraindications to the use of persimmon

Despite all its useful properties, persimmon has a number of contraindications. Due to the high content of easily digestible sugars in it, it is forbidden to use it for people with diabetes.

Also, this fruit is not recommended to be eaten in large quantities, as this can lead to the formation of bezoars (hard stones), and in the future, to intestinal obstruction. Persimmons should not be eaten with cold water and milk. Among other things, in some cases, individual intolerance to the product or allergies are possible.

The author of the article: Kuzmina Vera Valerievna | Endocrinologist, nutritionist

Education: Diploma of the Russian State Medical University named after NI Pirogov with a degree in General Medicine (2004). Residency at Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, diploma in Endocrinology (2006).