There are few things more satisfying than biting into a perfectly ripe peach on a hot summer day. These juicy stone fruits, which typically ripen between April and September in various parts of the U.S., are a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth without loading your meals with tons of refined sugar or other additives. However, it’s not just their flavor that makes peaches such powerhouse additions to your diet.
Read on to discover the surprising effects of eating peaches, according to science. And for more easy ways to improve your wellbeing, check out The 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now.
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S., but peaches may help reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular problems. A 2013 study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that higher consumption of anthocyanidins and flavonoids, pigments abundant in peaches, were associated with higher levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol and reduced serum triglyceride levels, respectively, both of which are associated with reduced heart disease risk.
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Individuals who’ve received a breast cancer diagnosis may want to consult their doctor about incorporating peaches into their regular routine. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry found that polyphenols found in peaches may reduce the growth and metastasis of MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cells. In fact, the study’s authors found that consumption of just two to three peaches per day may have a beneficial effect in limiting this type of cancer cells’ growth.
What’s more, a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that phenolic compounds derived from Rich Lady peaches were effective at targeting this same type of breast cancer cells and limiting their proliferation. And if you want to keep yourself healthy, check out The One Food That Raises Your Breast Cancer Risk, According to Science.
Want to speed up a sluggish digestive tract? Try adding some peaches to your menu. A medium peach packs two grams of dietary fiber, which can help get your digestion moving again in no time.
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You don’t have to load up on dairy to keep your bones strong—adding some peaches to your regular routine might just do the trick.
A single peach packs approximately six percent of your recommended daily value of potassium, sufficient levels of which a 2020 study published in Nutrition Research and Practice found to be beneficial for bone health and reducing osteoporosis risk.
If you find yourself dealing with respiratory illnesses on a regular basis, you might want to consider adding some peaches to your daily diet.
Peaches are a rich source of vitamin C, packing approximately six milligrams of the nutrient per fruit. According to a study published in the International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research, among a group of 57 older adults with bronchitis or pneumonia, patients given vitamin C supplementation “fared significantly better” than those given a placebo, according to the study’s authors. And if you want to keep your respiratory system in tip-top shape, These Are the Worst Foods for Your Lungs.
Sarah Crow
Sarah Crow is a senior editor at Eat This, Not That!, where she focuses on celebrity news and health coverage. Read more
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