The persimmon, also known as the kaki fruit, enjoys great popularity and rightly so. Persimmons are rich in vitamins, nutrients, and minerals. In addition, they contain contains a lot of fiber and antioxidants, making persimmons true superfoods and energy bombs that should not be missing in any diet.

In this article, we are going to discover what the properties and benefits of persimmons are.

Nutritional Value of Persimmon

In addition to their fine and elegant taste, persimmons have several healthy nutrients.

• Protein: 100 grams of persimmon contain around 700 milligrams of protein.
• Minerals: In total, 100 grams of the fruit contain almost 600 milligrams of a wide variety of minerals. Potassium takes up the largest share here with around 160 milligrams. Persimmon also contains a lot of calcium, magnesium and sodium.
• Trace elements: With almost 400 micrograms of iron per 100 grams, persimmon is an excellent source of iron. In addition, the fruit still brings small amounts of zinc, copper and manganese.
• Vitamins: Persimmon is a small vitamin bomb and is particularly rich in vitamin C as well as a precursor of Vitamin A, beta-carotene. In addition, persimmon also contains some B vitamins and vitamin E.
• Fiber: 100 grams of persimmon contain 3.6 grams of fiber. Most of this is made up of water-insoluble fiber. This makes the persimmon particularly beneficial for your digestion.
• Fat: The 0.2 grams of fat per 100 grams of persimmon are mainly composed of long-chain fatty acids.
• Carbohydrates: With 16 milligrams per 100 grams, the fruits bring relatively high in carbohydrates. However, the ratio of glucose to fructose, is balanced.

Persimmon Health Benefits

Good for the cardiovascular system

Potassium is a mineral for your cardiovascular system. It is a trace element that is present in abundance in many foods. Nevertheless, most people consume too little of it via their diet.

Persimmons are a good source of potassium. Potassium regulates blood pressure by opening your vessels and widening your arteries. It also relaxes your muscles. In fact, many drugs that work against muscle pain contain potassium as an active ingredient.

Healthy, and stable, blood pressure has a positive effect on your whole body.

Promotes weight loss

More than half of adults in the US are overweight and many have great difficulty losing their weight. The persimmon fruit can help here. Like most plant foods, persimmon contains fiber. These make you full quickly and reduce your desire to eat.

The feeling of satiety due to fiber lasts for several hours. Plant foods such as persimmons work wonders when it comes to losing weight.

Of course, persimmon alone will not make you lose weight, the source of the problem must also be eliminated along with a healthy and balanced diet, and physical activity.

Persimmons help fight cancer

The antioxidants contained in persimmon also help fight cancer cells. Antioxidants are effective against free radicals. Free radicals can damage your DNA. As a result, cells can multiply uncontrollably without dying. This is cancer.

The production of free radicals is naturally reduced by persimmons. 

Persimmons promote your digestion

Persimmons have a high fiber content. Fiber gives digestion stability and structure and thus promotes a smooth movement in the intestine.

There are two types of fiber. Soluble and insoluble.

Soluble fiber loosens up digestion and helps food move so well through the intestines. Soluble fiber can be digested.

In general, many people absorb too little fiber. Animal foods, for example, contain no fiber at all. This leads to problems such as constipation.

Persimmons boost your immune system

To stay healthy and effectively protect yourself against disease, it is essential to eat foods high in vitamins and nutrients.

Persimmons are one of them. Indeed, persimmons contain a lot of vitamin C. Vitamin C has been proven to strengthen your immune system and thus helps, for example, against the common flu.

In addition to the benefits mentioned, vitamin C also helps with iron absorption and has a preventive effect on a whole range of diseases. It also helps keep your muscles, bones, and whole body in shape.

All in all, vitamin C plays an essential role in your body. It strengthens your immune system, helps with iron absorption and the formation of collagen.

Persimmons keep you young and healthy

Free radicals don’t just cause cancer. They also make you age faster and early. You absorb free radicals mainly through the consumption of animal foods.

Free radicals damage your skin cells and lead to faster skin aging. But antioxidants reverse this process. They fight free radicals and make you look younger again.

Vitamin C is also healthy for your skin. However, it cannot be saved and must be replenished every day. Persimmons, as we have seen, are a good source of vitamin C.

Persimmons also contain vitamin A and vitamin K. These two valuable vitamins work effectively against wrinkles and make your skin look healthier.

Persimmons improve your eyes

Persimmons contain lutein and zeaxanthin. These substances act on the retina and thus prevent eye diseases such as macular degeneration. It also prevents cataracts. Damage to the retina can mean loss of vision.

Free radicals also play a role here. As we’ve seen persimmons help neutralize free radicals. Indeed, the interaction of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as lutein & zeaxanthin, protect against infections and damage to the eyes.

Persimmon is your best friend before a workout

Persimmons are ideal for all sports enthusiasts. Persimmons contain sugar, important vitamins, minerals, and also saturates. In addition, the high potassium content of persimmon also makes it an excellent snack for athletes and those who want to become one.

Help with diabetes

People with diabetes are often advised to avoid certain fruits due to their high sugar content. Persimmon is not one of them. In fact, persimmon is known to stabilize blood sugar levels thanks to the fibers it contains.

Persimmons are rich in magnesium

In addition to vitamins and nutrients, persimmon is also rich in magnesium. This mineral is very important for the body and a deficiency can have devastating consequences.

Magnesium is known to prevent muscle spasms, strengthen bones, reduce blood pressure, and keep the heart-healthy. To replenish your magnesium supply, you can eat persimmons whole or in a smoothie.

Persimmons reduce stress

Stress is one of the main reasons for life-threatening diseases. To counteract this, nothing is more important than a healthy lifestyle. This includes sufficient exercise and a healthy diet. Persimmons are the perfect complement. An unhealthy diet only leads to weight gain and depression.

Thanks to its high vitamin and nutrient content, persimmon is the ideal fruit against stress and an excellent addition to a healthy diet.

Fights infections

Since persimmons strengthen the immune system through the vitamin C they contain, they also help the body fight infections and effectively prevent them.

Rich in copper

Persimmons are rich in copper. Copper is very important for the body in iron absorption. Better iron absorption allows the body to produce more red blood cells. These in turn ensure that more oxygen is distributed in the body. This increases your physical and mental performance.

Conclusion

All in all, persimmons are true vitamin and energy bombs. They have many health benefits and should be included in every diet, especially in winter as persimmons strengthen the immune system.