Summer is the season when peaches hit the market.
With their lovely appearance and juicy sweetness, peaches are beloved by many.
They are also among the five immortal fruits offered to deities in ancient times, earning them the titles of "immortal peach" and "longevity peach" due to their delicious flesh and rich nutrients, hence being hailed as the "number one fruit under heaven." Peaches, highly favored by people, possess significant culinary value.
<b>Regular consumption of peaches is beneficial for heart health. </b>With the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases closely linked to diets high in oil, salt, and sugar, maintaining high levels of cholesterol in the blood can lead to various health issues. Studies both domestically and abroad have found that peaches can combine with bile acids, aiding in lowering cholesterol levels in the blood.
During medical check-ups, two key indicators are high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), beneficial to the body, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), detrimental to the body. Animal experiments have shown that peaches can reduce total cholesterol and LDL-C levels.
Thus, regular consumption of peaches can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and promote heart health.
<b>Regular consumption of peaches contributes to antioxidant effects and slows aging. </b>Peaches contain abundant phytochemicals such as flavonoids, carotenoids, and phenolic substances, which help the body reduce the invasion of free radicals and have anti-aging effects.
However, when eating peaches, it is essential to avoid peach juice and sweetened beverages containing small amounts of peach juice, as the antioxidant properties may significantly diminish during exposure to air.
<b>Regular consumption of peaches helps prevent hypertension.</b>Although the nutritional content of peaches is not exceptional, they are notably rich in potassium, followed by calcium and magnesium. Potassium is an essential nutrient for the body, but sweating can lead to potassium loss during the summer, when temperatures are high.
Eating peaches at this time can effectively replenish potassium. Moreover, excessive potassium loss is closely related to hypertension. Supplementing potassium appropriately can help prevent diseases such as hypertension and stroke.
Although peaches are delicious, doctors recommend that certain groups of people should consume them in moderation:
1. Diabetics: Peaches have a high sugar content, mainly sucrose and glucose. Excessive consumption of peaches without moderation can cause a rapid increase in blood sugar levels, which is detrimental to health.
2. Patients with kidney disease: Peaches contain a relatively high potassium. Due to the decreased reabsorption capacity of the kidneys, patients with kidney disease are prone to hyperkalemia, which can lead to cardiac arrest and life-threatening situations. Patients with kidney disease should consume peaches sparingly.
3. Patients with gastrointestinal diseases: Peaches contain many large-molecule substances. Patients with weak spleen and stomach, including those with gastric ulcers and chronic gastritis, should avoid consumption.
4. People with excessive internal heat: Excessive consumption of raw peaches can lead to bloating and furuncles, causing harm instead of benefits. Peaches have a sweet and warm nature, which can easily lead to excessive internal heat, causing sores on the body. Individuals with internal heat should avoid excessive consumption.
5. Infants and pregnant women: Infants and pregnant women have relatively weak spleen and stomach functions, so they should avoid eating peaches.
6. Those allergic to peaches: If symptoms such as numbness, itching, and redness around the mouth occur after consuming peaches, it may indicate an allergy to peaches.
Consumption should be immediately discontinued, and the affected areas should be washed with clean water. If symptoms are severe, immediate medical attention should be sought.
Excessive consumption of peaches should be avoided. It is best to eat peaches when fully ripe. Unripe peaches contain a small amount of toxins. There have been cases where children consumed more than ten unripe peaches at once, resulting in cyanide poisoning and death despite attempts at medical intervention. It is recommended to consume peaches in moderation, ideally one per day.
