Peach – Delicious And Healing

Do you think the peach is just a fruit for cakes, ice cream, and fruit salads? Not correct! Of course, it tastes delicious and is an indispensable part of the summer kitchen. Due to its many different ingredients, peach is also a particularly healing fruit.

Peach – An ancient remedy rediscovered

Like the plum and the apricot (apricot), the peach tree (Prunus persica) belongs to the rose family. Its fruits – the peaches – are among the most tempting in the world.

They are not only a culinary delicacy but also a medicine that can be helpful in preventing and curing diseases. In traditional folk medicine, not only the fruits but also the leaves, blossoms, and bark of the peach tree are used – and have been for thousands of years.

Because the peach is ancient, even older than man…

The peach is older than the man

When eight petrified peach stones were accidentally found during road construction work in southwest China in 2015, people were amazed.

A research team led by Dr. Tao Su from the Menglun Tropical Botanical Garden has examined the peach stones in detail and found out that they are an incredible 2.6 million years old and hardly differ from today’s peach stones.

This discovery revealed that the peach probably originated in China, but was widespread there long before humans, so it is not – as was originally thought – the result of decades of breeding efforts.

A symbol of immortality

Accordingly, the peach is deeply rooted in Chinese mythology. So e.g. For example, according to a Taoist legend, Hsi Wang Mu, the ever-young goddess of the western sky, had a wondrous peach orchard.

But you had to be immortal to enjoy these peaches, as it took thousands of years for the fruit to ripen. No wonder the peach is still considered a symbol of immortality in China today.

The nutrients and vital substances of the peach

Depending on the variety, a peach weighs between 100 and 150 grams and consists of almost 90 percent water. Especially on hot summer days, the juicy peach with its 40 kilocalories is a healthy alternative to sweets and snacks.

The corresponding table with the nutritional and vital substance values ​​for printing can be found under the previous link. The following is a brief overview of the most important vitamins:

• If you eat two peaches, you can already cover 30 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin C – the well-known immune-boosting vitamin.
• A larger peach contains around 8 percent of the recommended daily dose of vitamin E.
• A single peach contains as much as 20 percent of the vitamin K requirement and as a result, may help protect against cardiovascular disease.
• The amount of carotene contained corresponds to about a quarter of the recommended daily requirement. However, keep in mind that the yellow-fleshed peaches in particular provide beta-carotene, the white ones to a lesser extent.

Aside from beta-carotene (provitamin A), peaches also contain other carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin, which together play an essential role in eye health. For example, a study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with 1,800 participants showed that lutein combined with vitamin C can reduce the risk of cataracts in women.

In addition, the skin and pulp of the peach contain a whole range of phytochemicals whose antioxidant potential is even higher than that of vitamins and carotenoids.

Secondary plant substances and their healing properties

The peach is rich in polyphenols (e.g. flavonoids), which are responsible for the color, aroma, and taste of the delicious fruit and have numerous healing properties. The polyphenol content varies depending on the strain, researchers at the University of California found:

• White-fleshed peaches: 28 to 111 mg per 100 g
• Yellow-fleshed peaches: 21 to 61 mg per 100 g

The most important polyphenols in peaches include B. the chlorogenic acid, which protects the DNA from damage, and quercetin, which is said to work against cancer and depression.

Peaches also contain epicatechin, which Harvard professor Dr. Norman Hollenberg could reduce the occurrence of the most common diseases in industrialized countries – i.e. stroke, heart attack, cancer, and diabetes – to less than 10 percent.

In addition, anthocyanins are mainly found in the skin of the peach – especially in the so-called red vineyard peach, which is also known as the blood peach.

Peach extract kills breast cancer cells

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women – in Germany alone there are 46,000 new cases every year. As more and more women are affected, research into alternative therapies is also in full swing.

Scientists from Texas A&M University made an extract from the “Rich Lady” peach and examined how it affects breast cancer cells. dr David Byrne announced that the peach extract had a lethal effect on the aggressive tumor cells, while the healthy cells – unlike chemotherapy – were spared. Of the potent polyphenols found in peach extract, chlorogenic acid has been shown to be the most effective in fighting tumors.

The researchers came to the conclusion that so-called chemopreventive active ingredients are contained in the peach, which can also prevent an already developing cancer. The term chemoprevention refers to a “new” treatment method whereby the onset of tumor formation in the body can be suppressed by eating certain foods.

The peach acts against the metabolic syndrome

Another study at Texas A&M University examined whether the consumption of stone fruits — specifically peaches, nectarines, and plums — could have a positive impact on metabolic syndrome. (By the way, the nectarine is not, as was previously assumed, a mixture of peach and plum, but a hairless variety of the peach.)

Metabolic syndrome is understood to mean the combination of the most widespread diseases of civilization today, namely obesity, insulin resistance (diabetes type 2 or its precursor), dyslipidemia, and high blood pressure. Metabolic syndrome is now considered the most common cause of cardiovascular disease.

professor dr Luis Cisneros-Zevallos explained that the polyphenols contained in the stone fruit have a positive effect on obesity as well as on inflammation and diabetes. This effect is based on z. B. that the oxidation of bad LDL cholesterol is reduced.

The special thing about peaches and co. is that they contain a special mixture of bioactive substances – primarily chlorogenic acid, quercetin and catechins – which counteract all symptoms of the metabolic syndrome at the same time.

Researchers from Washington State University have found similarly, that prune and peach juices can lower cholesterol and contribute to weight loss. Studies like these reveal that not only are active compounds released from the peach medicinally valuable but consuming the whole fruit is a proven way to prevent disease.

The folk medicine

It is true that scientific evidence of the healing properties of the peach is only now available. However, this does not change the fact that our ancestors used the peach as a remedy for a very long time and – without any modern research methods – knew what effects it had and what it helped against.

The ancient Romans, for example, used fruit to lower blood pressure, improve digestion, do something good for the eyes and increase kidney function.

In addition, teas were made from bark and leaves to treat depression and coughs. The tea made from the peach blossoms, on the other hand, was drunk for jaundice and as a light laxative.

The peach is also a wonderful remedy externally, e.g. B. for skin care:

The peach is good for the skin

The peach skin literally stands for particularly velvety and healthy skin.

While the Chinese make massage creams from the pulp of peaches, it is common in Japan to add fresh peach tree leaves to bath water. The tannin contained in the leaves has a soothing effect on skin inflammation and eczema.

Peach pits also contain 30 to 45 percent oil, which is chemically very similar to the popular almond oil and makes an excellent skin care oil.

Peach kernel oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and linoleic acid, which gives the skin more elasticity. In addition – as in peaches – many polyphenols, vitamins (especially vitamin E), and minerals are included, which contribute to skin health due to the antioxidant effect.

The peach kernel oil (Oleum Persicarum) thus serves as a high-quality basis for skin creams or body oils and is ideal for the care of cracked, scaly, mature, and dry skin.

The peach kernel oil is obtained by pressing. However, since peach stones contain up to 6 percent amygdalin, which is sometimes broken down into hydrocyanic acid during processing, the hydrocyanic acid released has to be removed. This is done by “debittering” the kernels.

It’s very simple, e.g. B. to make a face mask with peach kernel oil yourself.

Face mask (for all skin types)

A peach face mask invigorates your skin and provides it with sufficient moisture.

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe organic peach
• 1/2 tbsp peach kernel oil
• 1 tablespoon coconut butter (if the butter is too thick, melt it in a water bath at low temperatures)

Preparation:

1. Peel and stone the peach.
2. Mash the pulp and stir in the peach kernel oil and coconut butter.
3. Stir until the paste has a creamy, homogeneous consistency.
4. Apply the mask to cleansed face and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes.
5. Rinse your face with lukewarm water.

The peach in the kitchen

Whether fresh and pure, cooked, baked, or dried: peaches captivate with an extraordinary culinary variety. The peach can always shine in the kitchen when an aromatic sweet and slightly sour component is desired in a dish.

In particular, the peach is of course used in desserts of all kinds, e.g. B. when making summer cakes and tarts, ice cream, jams, refreshing fruit salads, compotes, and drinks (e.g. strawberry-peach smoothies).

The peach is even good in hearty dishes, hot sauces, and light salads.

The recipe: Summery peach and tomato salad

Especially when the sun is shining hot from the sky, you should definitely protect your stomach and intestines and supply your body with sufficient vital substances and liquid. Light dishes like this are ideal for being fit and healthy to enjoy the best season of the year.

Ingredients for 4 persons):

• 4 peaches
• 4 tomatoes
• ½ onion
• 1 bunch of arugula
• 2 tbsp vinegar
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp mustard
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 2 basil leaves
• salt and pepper

Preparation:

1. Peel the onion and cut it into fine rings.
2. Wash the peaches, tomatoes, and arugula thoroughly.
3. Cut the peaches and tomatoes into cubes.
4. Mix the ingredients well in a bowl.
5. Whisk together the vinegar, oil, honey, mustard, salt, and pepper to form a rich dressing.
6. Pour the dressing over the salad, mix well, and let sit for about 10 minutes.
7. Before serving, sprinkle over the chopped basil leaves.

Tip: You can also peel the peaches. How this works and what disadvantages it has, you will learn below.

How to prepare the peaches

To remove the stone, simply cut the peach in half and twist the two halves of the peach against each other. However, this only works if the peach is fully ripe.

If the peach is not to be eaten immediately, e.g. B. if you are preparing a fruit salad, it makes sense to sprinkle the pulp with a little lemon juice. This way you can prevent the flesh from turning brown.

In some dishes, e.g. B. in jams, the furry skin of the peach is sometimes perceived as annoying and therefore removed. Ripe peaches are generally much easier to peel.

Wash the peaches and use a sharp knife to score a small cross on the bottom. Place the peaches in a pot of boiling hot water and blanch for a maximum of 40 seconds or they will become mushy.

Then, using a ladle, place the fruit in ice water for about 1 minute. Now you can grab the bowl by the corners created by the scratching. If you pull gently and evenly, you can easily remove the skin without damaging the flesh.

Keep in mind, however, that the skin also removes all of the beneficial ingredients it contains (such as anthocyanins).

Be sure to buy organic peaches

If you like to eat the peel of the peach, you should definitely pay attention to organic quality when buying. Unfortunately, peaches are one of those types of fruit that are often contaminated with pollutants.

Greenpeace employees bought peaches and nectarines from France, Italy, Greece, and Spain in supermarkets across Germany and had them examined in a special laboratory.

The result was devastating: Only one of the 32 samples was free of spray residues. 22 percent of the fruit samples tested were classified as poor and not recommended due to the high pesticide content or the toxic cocktails they contained. A total of 23 different pesticides were identified, including particularly dangerous carcinogens and neurotoxins (e.g. carbaryl).

What you should consider when storing peaches

Because of their high water content, peaches are very sensitive to pressure. For this reason, you should never store your peaches on top of each other, but always next to each other so that they don’t touch each other.

If you are lucky, unripe peaches can continue to ripen at room temperature. To do this, store them in a dark, room-warm place, e.g. B. in a box. However, check the fruit twice a day as they are very sensitive to mold or rot.

Peaches often begin to go moldy before they are fully ripe. Therefore, if you prefer to eat ripe peaches, then you should better buy ripe fruit right away. Ripe fruit can be stored in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator for up to five days. But again, you should check them frequently.

You can tell how ripe the peach is by gently pressing it with your finger. If the peach is as hard as a stone, it is unripe, but if the skin splits open, it is overripe and can still be used, e.g. B. to make a chutney.

From a health point of view, it is best to enjoy peaches as soon as possible after harvesting, as valuable components are lost if they are stored and processed for too long.