Facts about Peaches

Facts about Peaches

The scientific name of the peach is Prunus persica, which suggests peaches are originated from Persia. However, China is in fact the original home of peaches.

The peach belongs to the rose family. The fruit was initially grown in China and adored as an icon of long life. Peaches were at first from a place close to the Xian city, China. Peaches were grown in China around 3,000 years back. Wild peaches, known as Yietao or Maotao, still grow in rural areas of China.

Peaches are usually white, yellow, pink, red, or even a mix of those colors. Peaches look alike nectarines, but you can tell by their different skin textures: nectarines have smooth and shiny texture while peaches are dull and fuzzy.

The peach tree is actually a small size, short-lived plant, only getting to around 20 feet tall and living for approximately 12 years. Most peach varieties are self-pollinating, as a result just one tree you need to grow to get the fruit. Leaves of the peach tree are simple, long, fold clearly inward, and curve downward. They look alike those of nectarines. The edges of the peach leaves are finely toothed.

 

Health Benefits of Eating Peaches

The early Chinese realized the peach health benefits since the 10th century. As they applied the pit for the purpose of medication, they even called a peach as "longevity peach", which means the peach that prolongs your life. Modern research discovers that traditional Chinese medicine is usually right on mark with no exception this time.

• Peaches are rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals. However, the one that specifically prolongs life is mineral known as potassium. In case you have a deficiency of potassium, you can have fatigue, nervousness, muscle weakness, complexion issues, poor memory, high blood pressure, congestive heart deterioration or heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia and vibration in the ears.
• One more health benefit of consuming peaches is the quantity of beta-carotene it has. Our body converts beta-carotene to retinol or vitamin A. The vitamin is important in numerous body functions. Research conducted recently indicated that individuals who took higher levels of vitamin A in everyday diet had less potential of getting cataracts. Some other studies indicate vitamin A is good for treating COPD.
• Peaches also have lutein and lycopene. They are also carotenes, just like beta-carotene and provide color to your peach. There are various studies that indicate these two compounds may help protect against macular degeneration, heart condition and cancer.
• Peaches are an excellent source of fiber. You will find two main types of dietary fiber. Insoluble fiber cannot break down in water but soluble fiber can. Insoluble fiber is definitely heart healthy as it absorbs water and then increases the bulk of the stool. The stool then clears the waste build-up. This helps avoid colon cancer. Detoxifying the intestinal wall additionally raises the quantity of nutrients the body can absorb. Insoluble fiber also assists to reduce levels of cholesterol.
• Everyone realize that oranges are high in vitamin C. Peaches, however, are also full of vitamin C. The vitamin is a powerful antioxidant that helps combat cancer by enhancing the immune system in the body and avoiding cellular change.
• There is something you need to be cautious. Just like its relative the almond, peach pits have a toxin called cyanide or hydrocyanic acid that ought to be avoided. Consumption of huge amounts of the pits may be fatal. 

How to Choose and Buy Peaches?

• Select peaches with an even yellow-colored background and distinct creases.
• Peaches ought to be really fragrant.
• Refrain from those with molds or green patches. 

How to Store Peaches?

Keep peaches at room temperature right until ripe. Once the fruit is ripe, refrigerate without washing and uncovered for as many as 3 days