Are Peaches Good for You?

Peaches are a healthy and delicious addition to your diet that offers the following 10 health benefits.

Peaches are a healthy and delicious addition to your diet.

Peaches belong to the family of stone fruits, which also include cherries, apricots, and plums. They are best had as a mid-meal snack, as an addition to your oatmeal, smoothie, or salad, or as a part of a post-workout meal.

10 benefits of peaches in your diet

1. Better digestion:
   • Peaches contain both soluble and insoluble fiber.
     • Insoluble fiber helps with bowel movements by absorbing water and reducing constipation.
     • Soluble fiber helps with gut immunity and stabilization of the blood sugars.
   • The peach skin and flowers can be used to make teas and tonics that are known to improve digestion by reducing acidity, cramping, and flatulence.
2. Heart health:
   • The fiber and the polyphenol content in peaches may have a role in cholesterol reduction and blood pressure control.
   • The moderate potassium content in peaches is important to maintain blood vessel and heart health.
3. Immunity:
   • Peaches are rich in vitamin C, B complex, and vitamin A, all of which play a part in immunity.
   • Regular consumption of peaches in moderation can help improve the good gut bacteria, which have been linked to gut immunity, heart health, and skin health.
   • Peaches also contain polyphenols, antioxidants, and carotenoids that fight cell damage; thus, they can help protect your skin and organs against aging and various viral illnesses.
4. Cancer protection:
   • Owing to high polyphenol content, peaches may have cancer-fighting properties.
   • Some studies have reported that postmenopausal women who ate at least two servings of peaches in a week had lower rates of certain types of breast cancer; however, the findings need to be confirmed by large-scale studies.
5. Decreased body inflammation:
   • With reduced inflammation, peaches may aid in a stronger and better-trained immune system that helps the body fight diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and other chronic diseases.
   • Some research reports that extracts from peach pits reduce the body’s allergic response, thus helping patients with asthma, eczema, and bronchitis.
6. Eye health:
   • Beta carotene is a red-orange pigment found in fruits and vegetables that the body turns into vitamin A, an essential vitamin that’s important for retinal health. The retina is the part of the eye that has a crucial role in vision.
7. Skin health:
   • Some evidence suggests that the extracts made from peach pits or peach flowers can reduce ultraviolet damage and help skin retain moisture.
8. Kidney friendly:
   • Patients with chronic renal diseases often need a diet rich in soluble fiber and antioxidants. However, they cannot eat many fruits that have a high potassium content.
   • Peaches have a moderate potassium content; hence, these can be safely eaten in moderation by patients with kidney disease.
9. Gastritis:
   • Peaches have been known to heal stomach ulcers and chronic gastritis owing to their nutritive content.
   • They help maintain healthy gut flora, reduce acidity, and improve digestion, all of which help relieve gastritis symptoms.
10. Weight loss:
    • Owing to the fiber and anti-oxidant content, if eaten in moderation, peaches may help with weight loss and help control bingeing behavior.
    • Additionally, peaches contain metabolism-boosting flavonoids such as catechins, which can speed your metabolism and calorie-burning rate, aiding in weight loss.