Surprising Benefits Of Nectarines
Nectarines are a delicious fruit similar to plums and peaches. In fact, they are quite similar to peaches in appearance except for the lack of fuzziness on the skin, which is on peaches. In addition to its taste, the health benefits of nectarines include better cardiovascular and digestive health. They contain disease-fighting antioxidants, and consumption of nutrient-rich nectarine can help in strengthening the immune system, promoting youthful skin and is an excellent snack option for everybody.
🍑What are Nectarines?
Nectarines are a fruit which belongs to the Rosaceae family, as are plums and peaches. Nectarines grown in warmer temperate regions are also referred to as stone fruits, or drupes, as they enclose a hard seed inside their outer juicy flesh.
Known with the botanical name Prunus persica var. nectarina in the research world, the trees of this fruit have a short life. They have long, shiny, bright green leaves, with slightly serrated margins. On the basis of the cultivars, the delicate flesh of the aromatic nectarine fruit may have shades of deep yellow or creamy white with the outer skin having colors like pink, red, white or yellow.
🍑Antioxidant Defense
According to the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, nectarines have wonderful antioxidant power with a good amount of polyphenols, vitamin C content, and carotenoids, such as beta-carotene and cryptoxanthin, in higher concentration in the skin of the fruit. These protective antioxidants exert free radical scavenging activities and assist in neutralizing the damaging effects of oxygen free molecules.
🍑Aids in Digestion
Presence of dietary fiber and the alkaline nature of nectarines makes them perfect for maintaining digestive health. The fiber content absorbs water, adds bulk to the stool, regulates bowel movements, and can help prevent issues like gastritis, constipation, and ulcers.
🍑Weight Loss
A research study published in the Journal of Hygiene research has shown that stone fruits, such as nectarines, contain bioactive compounds such as anthocyanins, catechin, chlorogenic acid and quercetin derivatives which have the potential to combat obesity-related medical conditions like diabetes and cardiac disorders. Nectarines also help to fight metabolic syndrome – a set of risk factors associated with increased mortality and morbidity, noted in a 2012 study presented at the American Chemical Society in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
🍑Improve vision
Lutein is an important nutrient, which encourages eye health and helps reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration, according to Investigative Opthalmology & Visual Science. Nectarines contain lutein, so incorporating them into your diet can help you achieve adequate amounts.
Various investigative studies have shown that lutein is an extremely powerful antioxidant, which helps in reducing the risk of nuclear cataracts. In addition to this, beta-carotene present in the fruit encourages the synthesis of vitamin A, contributes to maintaining healthy eyesight, and prevents diseases like blindness and xeropthalmia.
🍑Prevent Hypokalemia
Hypokalemia is the deficiency of potassium in the body, which may degrade the muscular health and may cause cardiac arrhythmia. Many fruits contain potassium, which is essential for proper nerve and cellular function, and the functioning of muscles. Nectarines are no exception! Potassium is present in stone fruits, which can help attain adequate daily levels. Potassium is an important nutrient in proteins synthesis, electrolyte balance, and support metabolic processes.