The orange, together with the banana, apple, watermelon and melon, are the most consumed fresh fruits in Spain. They are followed by the , the pear and the peach.
The best time to consume this last fruit is between the months of May and September. Although it is during the months of July and August when it is tastier and meatier.
And it is one of the most consumed fruits not only for its delicious flavor, but also for its multiple health benefits. Without forgetting that it is a perfect ally for beauty.
Despite its name, the peach does not come from Persia, but from China, where it was considered a symbol of . After reaching Europe, he quickly spread to America.
As a curiosity, the city of Ruston, in Louisiana (United States), calls itself the “Peach Capital”. An annual peach festival is held there every year, attracting thousands of visitors from all over the country.
Spain is the second largest peach producer in the world, ahead of Italy, Greece, Turkey and the United States. The first fruits that reach the market come from Seville, Huelva and .
In July, from Murcia, , Tarragona and . The latest, those that appear from the month of September, are from Lérida and Aragón.
It is a stone fruit with velvety skin, yellow or whitish flesh, which stands out for its sweet flavor and delicate aroma. The edible portion of this fruit is 88 grams per 100 of fresh product.
The nectarine is a variant of the peach. It comes from the tree itself and it is normal for peach trees to produce some nectarines from time to time. They can be white or yellow flesh, attached to the bone or loose.
Nutritional composition per 100 grams
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Energy (Kcal) 41
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Proteins (g) 0.6
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Carbohydrates (g) 9
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Fiber (g) 1.4
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Water (g) 89
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Calcium (mg) 8
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Iron (mg) 0.4
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Iodine (µg) 2
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Magnesium (mg) 9
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Zinc (mg) 0.06
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Sodium (mg) 3
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Potassium (mg) 260
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Phosphorus (mg) 22
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Selenium (μg) 1
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Thiamine (mg) 0.03
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Riboflavin (mg) 0.05
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Niacin equivalents (mg) 1
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Vitamin B6 (mg) 0.02
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Folates (μg) 3
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Vitamin C (mg) 8
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Vitamin A: eq. Retinol (μg) 83.3
As explained by the (FEN), peaches “provide small amounts of vitamins, among which the vitamin C (with a peach more than 20% of the recommended daily intake of the vitamin is covered)”.
Among the minerals, “the highest is potassium. In their composition they also present coumarins, natural aromatic substances.
The peach, a fruit full of properties
This fruit, which provides potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron, helps to keep blood sugar levels low. for its fiber content, and also helps to improve intestinal transit.
However, as with most fresh fruits, it does not stand out especially for its power, since it only has 0.60 grams.
Good eye health and high blood pressure
Because of its vitamin C content, which is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells against free radical damage, peach also contains carotenoids with provitamin A activity, which is essential for good health.
As for minerals, it stands out for its potassium content, which contributes to the maintenance of normal blood pressure.
In the adult population, 18 years of age or older, it is considered that there is arterial hypertension (HTA) when the figures are equal to or greater than 140/90 mmHg.
Based on these figures, we speak of light, moderate, or severe arterial hypertension (HBP) depending on the levels of Arterial Pressure (BP), and the cause or injury that HBP exerts on its target organs, which are the heart, the vessels, kidney and brain.
In pregnant women we speak of mild hypertension when the figures are between 140-159 / 90-109 mmHg and severe hypertension if the figures are equal to or greater than 160 / 110 mmHg.
Packed with vitamin A
Peaches contain vitamin A, a complex organic substance that is essential for healthy skin, reducing inflammation, and relieving muscle and joint pain.
In fact, this fruit is used as an ingredient in beauty treatments, given the positive impact it has on our skin and hair.
You can even prepare a homemade mask (just mix peach puree, yogurt and honey) and apply to your face for 15 minutes. Remove with lukewarm water and enjoy good skin health.
It is essential to strengthen the immune system and to help in the growth and care of muscle tissue.
prevent diabetes
A study from the (United States) underlines that medium or large stone fruits, such as peach or plum, are great allies in preventing diabetes, a disease that affects six million Spaniards.
They are also good for avoiding , metabolic syndrome (risk factors for heart disease, diabetes, and other health problems) and cardiovascular disease, which kills more than 100,000 people in Spain each year.
Weight control
Stone fruits, such as , are indicated for those people who want to control their weight.
And it is that, they are low in calories, because it has 88% water, which also helps to combat the heat due to its refreshing power.
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