Peaches (Aadoo): Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

Introduction

Peaches, also known as Prunus persica, belong to the family Rosaceae. Peaches are classified as stone fruits or dupes, along with cherries, apricots and plums. They have a whitish or yellow flesh that is encased around a single, hard and large seed. Their outer skin is velvety and bruises easily.¹  

Peach is originally from China and is now being cultivated all over the world. It was first introduced to Persia and the Mediterranean through the Silk Road, a popular trade route in the olden days. Peaches had gained popularity from Persia and were believed to be their own for a long time, thus explaining the origin of the scientific name. It is now being cultivated in various states of the United States Of America, Canada, China, Japan, Iran, Turkey and the Mediterranean region. In the United States, Georgia is known as the Peach State.¹  

Peach fruits may benefit our health as they contain numerous vitamins and minerals. The following sections contain a detailed explanation of how peaches may benefit our health.  

Nutritional Value of Peaches:

The percentage content of peaches per 100 g is as follows: 

• Carbohydrates: 9.54%
• Proteins: 0.91%
• Fats: 0.25%
• Sugar: 8.39%
• Fibre: 1.52%
• Mineral content: sodium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, iron, calcium, fluoride, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium  
• Vitamin content: Vitamin C, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), pantothenic acid, folate, vitamin B6, vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin K²  

Also Read: Plums: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

Properties of Peaches:

The health benefits of peaches may be due to the following properties: 

• It may have anti-diabetic (may lower blood sugar) activity.  
• It may have anti-tumor (may inhibit tumour formation) function.  
• It might possess antioxidant (free radical neutralisation) properties.  
• It may have antimicrobial (may eliminate microorganisms) properties.  
• It might possess antibiotic (may eliminate bacteria) property.  
• It may have anti-cancer (may prevent cancer growth and spread) properties.  
• It might have anti-allergic and inflammatory activity (might alleviate inflammation and allergic reaction).³  

Enjoy the guilt-free delight of a peach, which contains only 50 calories. A medium-sized peach is a low-calorie fruit makes that for a smart choice when it comes to eating a healthy diet. Indulge in the natural sweetness of peaches while keeping your calorie intake in check.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

Also Read: Kiwi: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

Potential Uses of Peaches for Overall Health:

In general, fruits are good for health. As mentioned above, peaches may have a lot of properties that may make them good for health. This is mainly due to peaches being rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. In the following section, let’s look at peaches’ potential health benefits in detail.  

Did you know? A single peach can provide you with 6% of your daily vitamin A needs and 15% of your daily vitamin C needs, along with a host of other beneficial nutrients such as vitamins E and K, niacin, folate, iron, potassium, and more. Embrace the health benefits of this delicious fruit to support your overall well-being.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

1. Potential Uses of Peaches for the Heart:

The peach fruit is a natural source of potassium, which may be important for maintaining heart functions. In addition, animal studies have shown that peaches may help lower elevated blood pressures, which may help reduce the risk of heart problems. Furthermore, it was also seen that peaches might benefit the heart by lowering cholesterol levels in the blood, which is one of the advantages of peaches for the heart. Overall, peaches may help in maintaining heart health. However, there is a need for more studies in humans to prove its efficiency in humans.⁴ 

2. Potential Uses of Peaches for Skin:

 As seen in laboratory studies, peaches may protect our skin from the damage caused by the harmful rays of the sun, especially ultraviolet rays (UV-B). Even though there is a need for more research in this area to regard it as concrete scientific evidence, you might be able to reap its benefits by eating it. Some people may use it to get smooth skin too.⁴ 

3. Potential Uses of Peaches for the Immune System:

Several studies have shown that peaches might be good for building our immunity. It is because peaches are rich in antioxidants, polyphenols and Vitamin C, which are bioactive compounds. These compounds may perform various functions like protecting cells from damage and slowing aging. Moreover, a study showed that eating peaches regularly might decrease the chances of breast cancer. In addition, there is a chance that eating peaches might decrease the severity of allergic response. However, there is a need for more research in this field to state it as a fact. Nonetheless, it is hypothesized that these actions might be due to the potential benefits of peaches for strengthening the immune system.⁴ 

4. Potential Uses of Peaches for Eyes:

Peaches may be beneficial for eye health as they contain beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is a pigment that is present in many fruits. It transforms into Vitamin A, which may help in the maintenance of eye health. However, there is inadequate research to state it as a fact. Therefore, there is a need for more research to prove the potential uses of peaches for the eyes.⁴    

5. Potential Uses of Peaches for the Digestive System:

Peaches are rich in fibre which may be beneficial for digestion. It contains both soluble and insoluble fibre. Insoluble fibre might help with digestion and stool formation, while soluble fibre may play a role in maintaining stable sugar and cholesterol levels in the blood. In some studies, it was seen that tea made from peach flowers might also help digestion. However, more research is needed in this field.⁴  

6. Potential Uses of Peaches for Inflammation:

Inflammation may be caused due to various triggers in the body, which can lead to many diseases. Inflammation is due to the activation of our immune system, which is mostly an advantage for us, but when it becomes excessive, it may pose a threat by inviting many diseases. Peaches contain bioactive components that may alleviate inflammation and reduce the risk of diseases like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.⁴ 

Though there are studies that show the benefits of peaches in various conditions, these are insufficient, and there is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of peaches on human health.   

Enhance your diet with the nutrient-rich peaches, as they provide essential minerals like potassium, fluoride, and iron. Fluoride contributes to strong teeth and bones, much need for decreasing the occurrence of dental cavities and bone fractures.

Dr. Smita Barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.

Also Read: Grapefruit: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

How to Use Peaches (Aadoo)?

Peaches may be used in various ways: 

• Peaches are found in the market as fresh fruits and may be best when eaten that way.  
• They are also available on the market as canned fruit, which may contain added sugars. You can eat it any way that you prefer. 
• Some people grill it, use it for making smoothies, fresh juice, and salads, sweet and spicy salsa. 
• It may be a healthy dessert option when you pair it with chocolate.  
• It also accompanies oatmeal and yoghurt quite well and might turn into one of your favourite food options too.⁴ 

You must consult a qualified doctor before taking any herbal supplements. Do not discontinue or replace an ongoing treatment of modern medicine with an Ayurvedic/herbal preparation without consulting a qualified doctor.   

Side Effects of Peaches:

Peaches are fruits and may not show any side effects when taken in moderate quantities. There is not enough documented data to indicate the side effects of peaches. However, some people might be allergic to it. So if you have a known allergy, it is better to avoid it. If you suspect that you might be allergic to peaches, talk to your doctor and get it confirmed. 

Precautions to Take With Peaches:

In the following cases, it is better to be cautious while taking peaches: 

• If you are allergic to certain other fruits of the same family 
• If you are undergoing therapy for a known condition and are on any medication 
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding 
• If you are an elderly individual or a child 

In the above cases, it is advised that you discuss with your doctor the safety of peaches for you specifically. 

Interactions With Other Drugs:

There is insufficient documented data to show the interactions of peaches with other drugs. However, there is a chance that they may react with a few drugs. So, suppose you’re on any medication, discuss with your doctor if eating peaches will interfere with the medicines you are taking.        

Also Read: Mangosteen: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References:

1. Peach [Internet]. New World Encyclopedia. [cited 2022 Jun 14]. Available from: https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Peach 

2. Kant R. A Review on Peach (Prunus persica): An Asset of Medicinal Phytochemicals. Int J Res Appl Sci Eng Technol [Internet]. 2018 Jan 31;6(1):2186–200. Available from: http://ijraset.com/fileserve.php?FID=13153 

3. All the Health Benefits of Eating Peaches [Internet]. Cleaveland clinic. 2021 [cited 2022 Jun 14]. Available from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-peaches/  

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