Persimmon a Day May Keep Docs Away
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Persimmon a Day May
Keep Docs Away By Fran Berger TUESDAY, Feb. 6 (HealthScout) -- If persimmons aren't part of your daily diet, you're missing out on what some proclaim to be one of nature's best heart-healthy foods. The persimmon will give the good old apple a run for the money in fighting atherosclerosis, or coronary artery disease, says Shela Gorinstein, research associate in medicinal chemistry at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The persimmon will give the good old apple a run for the money in fighting atherosclerosis, or coronary artery disease, says Shela Gorinstein, research associate in medicinal chemistry at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Thought to be responsible for one in three deaths, coronary artery disease is caused by the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which cuts off the blood supply and leads to heart disease, heart attack and stroke. A diet high in fruit and vegetables, low in fat and high in fiber and antioxidants has been shown to combat the disease. Led by Gorinstein, a team of Israeli researchers fed lab rats a cholesterol-laden diet and then examined the effect of persimmons on the metabolism of lipids, or fats. The fruit improved the metabolism, the study says. Compared with
apples, persimmons have higher levels of dietary fibers in the pulp and peel,
Gorinstein says, making the persimmon "preferable for an
anti-atherosclerotic diet." But don't sell the apple short, says Julia Daly, nutrition communications specialist for the U.S. Apple Association, a trade organization for the American apple industry. "Nutrition research has indicated that fresh apples are some of the best dietary sources of antioxidants, with a range of benefits from preventing heart disease and cancer to promoting lung function," Daly says. The breadth of the apple's benefit, she says, is what makes it an extraordinary fruit. "It's quite an impressive collection of health benefits, all wrapped up in one convenient, healthy and delicious little package," she says. And, she says, the nutrients and antioxidant properties of an apple exist whether it's eaten raw or cooked. "From what we can tell, the antioxidants are not heat sensitive [and] pass through to the processed product," Daly says. "Apple juice, for example, is a good source of what's found in the whole apple." Gorinstein says her
team is not advocating replacing other fruits or vegetables with the persimmon,
but simply adding the fruit to a healthy diet. Like the apple, she says,
"you can cook with it, bake with it, eat it dry and make it into jam,"
so there's no reason not to enjoy the persimmon. But a sudden upsurge in daily persimmon consumption isn't likely, she says. "American people are very conservative, and are afraid to eat something new," Gorinstein says. "But it's not a new food, [and] it's very tasty and very healthy." The next step, she says, is "to get funding for more research on animal models, and eventually in humans," of the effects of the persimmon and other antioxidants on coronary artery disease. Go ahead, eat an apple a day -- and a persimmon -- and try combining them in a fruit salad, Daly suggests. "If the persimmon is tart, it would work well in combination with an apple such as a Gala or Golden Delicious." An unusual red-colored
fruit, the persimmon, could prevent heart attacks, according to scientists. The
fruit, which looks like a tomato and can be found in the 'exotic' section at
supermarkets, can substantially reduce the risk of heart disease. The fruit
contains significantly higher concentrations of dietary fibre, minerals and
phenolic compounds. These are vital in fighting atherosclerosis, in which the
arteries become blocked – a leading cause of heart disease, heart attacks and
stroke. A steady diet of persimmons can also improve lipid metabolism, the way
that the body copes with fat, in laboratory rats. Compared to apples, persimmons
contain twice as much dietary fibre and more of the major phenolics, or
antioxidants thought to ward off cancer and help prevent blood clots. Food sources: avocado, banana, dates, figs, grapefruit, oranges, papaya, peach, pear, persimmon, pineapple, strawberry, tomato. All vegetables Grains, legumes, nuts (except pistachio), seeds, meat, fish, eggs, chicken (not turkey), cheese Food sources: apple, apricot, figs, peach, pear, persimmon, strawberry, tomato. All vegetables (except lettuce and radish) Grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, meat, fish, eggs, chicken, cheese, Retards cancer growth Food sources: apple, apricot, avocado, banana, cantaloupe, dates, figs, oranges, papaya, peach, pear, persimmon, pineapple, strawberry, tomato. All vegetables Grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, meat, fish, eggs, chicken, cheese Food sources: apple, apricot, avocado, banana, cantaloupe, dates, figs, grapefruit, oranges, papaya, peach, pear, persimmon, pineapple, strawberry, tomato. All vegetables (except mushrooms) Grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, meat, fish, eggs, chicken, cheese Food sources: apple, apricot, dates, figs, peach, pear, persimmon, strawberry, tomato. All vegetables (except celery and lettuce) Grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, meat, fish, eggs, chicken, cheese Food sources: apple, apricot, dates, figs, peach, pear, persimmon, strawberry, tomato. All vegetables (except celery and lettuce) Grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, meat, fish, eggs, chicken, cheese
Nutraceuticals and Phytochemicals in Plants Can Fight Cancer
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