Health Benefits of Persimmons: Nutritious Sweetness and Dietary Tips
As persimmons return to store shelves, senior pediatric dietitian Yael Chen Raviv highlights their rich nutritional benefits, including powerful antioxidants, blood pressure regulation, and digestive support.
Persimmons have arrived on store shelves, offering a range of health benefits that make them a nutritious addition to smoothies, salads, and baked goods. According to Yael Chen Raviv, a senior pediatric and youth dietitian at Clalit, the vibrant fruit is a rich source of various antioxidants that protect the body.
The fruit contains orange and yellow pigments from the carotenoid family, which help reduce the risk of certain cancers, much like vitamin A. It also features lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids that protect the eyes by neutralizing oxidative damage to eye structures and vision. Additionally, persimmons contain vitamins C and E, as well as lycopene, which are essential for cardiovascular health, alongside high levels of vitamin A vital for organ development, normal growth during childhood, night vision, immune function, and skin health.
Persimmons help regulate blood pressure due to their high potassium content, a mineral necessary for maintaining balanced blood pressure and proper cellular and organ function. Furthermore, they are very rich in both soluble dietary fibers, which help balance blood sugar levels and promote satiety, and insoluble fibers that support regular digestive system activity.
Serving as a natural alternative to sweets, the fruit derives its sweetness from natural sugars, making it a nutritious replacement for industrial and processed sugary foods. When considering whether to peel the fruit, experts recommend removing the skin due to its firmness and high fiber content, especially for the elderly, children, individuals experiencing constipation or digestive issues, and those with intestinal diseases. Patients recovering from abdominal surgeries should consult a professional due to the risk of intestinal blockage, while healthy individuals can incorporate persimmons into their diet in moderation.
