Nutritional values of Peaches
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Wonderfully delicious peaches are low in calories (100g just provide 39 calories) and contain no saturated fats. Nonetheless, they are packed with numerous health promoting compounds, minerals and vitamins.
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Fresh peaches are a moderate source of antioxidant, vitamin C. Vitamin-C has anti-oxidant effects and is required for connective tissue synthesis in the body. Consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents, and help scavenges harmful free radicals.
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Fresh fruits are an also moderate source of vitamin A and β-carotene. β-carotene is a pro-vitamin, which converts into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is essential for vision. It is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural fruits rich in vitamin A is known to offer protection from lung and oral cavity cancers.
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They are rich in many vital minerals such as potassium, fluoride and iron. Iron is required for red blood cell formation. Fluoride is a component of bones and teeth and is essential for prevention of dental caries. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that help regulate heart rate and blood pressure.
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Peaches contain health promoting flavonoid poly phenolic antioxidants such as lutein, zea-xanthin and β-cryptoxanthin. These compounds help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and various disease processes.
Selection and Storage
Peaches are available year round; however, the season for fresh fruits is from May until October. In the store, look for fresh ones featuring rich colour and may still have a slight whitish “bloom,” indicating that they have not been over handled. Avoid ones with excessively soft, or with cuts and bruises. Ripe fruits yield to gentle pressure and feature sweet aroma.
Slightly hard but mature fruits can be kept at room temperature until they ripen. Ripening process can be enhanced by using ethylene, similar to the ripening of bananas
Ripe peaches can be placed in the refrigerator but should be brought to the room temperature before being eaten to enjoy their rich flavour.