Outstanding health benefits of peach fruit A series of PresentationByMr. Allah Dad Khan former DG Agriculture Extension KP Province and Visiting Professor the University of Agriculture Peshawar allahdad52@gmail.com

5. Peach
The health benefits of peach fruit include relief
from hypokalemia, cancer, obesity, cholesterol,
blood stasis and neurodegenerative diseases.
It helps in maintaining healthy vision, skin care,
nervous system, healthy bones, and teeth. It
has anti-aging properties and also helps in
detoxification, as well as
improving digestion and cellular health. It has a
wealth of essential nutrients and antioxidants
which are valuable during pregnancy and it
helps in strengthening the immune system.

6. Peach
Peaches are juicy and versatile
summer fruits that are native to China and
South Asia. Its Latin name is Prunus
persica, and peaches are a product of a
deciduous tree and grows in temperate
regions across the world. Peaches belong to
the family of Rosaceae, which also include
fruits like plums and cherries.

7. Peach
China is the largest producer of peaches and they
are auspiciously revered as a Chinese symbol of
longevity and immortality. Other top contributors in
peach production are Italy, Spain, the United States,
and Greece. In fact, Georgia is also known as the
“Peach State” for its contribution in producing the
highest quality peaches with respect to flavor,
texture, and nutritional content. Peaches attained the
rank of the state fruit of Georgia in 1995. Peaches
are available in many different sizes, and their colors
range from yellow to red, depending on the country
of origin.

9. Peach
Unlike nectarines, which have a smooth outer
surface, peaches have fuzzy, velvety skin. It
has a delicate aroma and juicy, yellowish pulp.
Peach is a drupe or a stone fruit because its
outer fleshy part surrounds a shell, which
encloses an edible seed. Based on the grip of
the flesh being free or rigid on the seed,
peaches are classified in the clinging-stone
variety where pulp clings tightly to the pit, a
semi-free stone in which the flesh separates
out with little effort, and a free-stone variety in
which the pulp separates easily from the pit.

10. Nutritional Value Of Peaches
Peaches store a broad range of nutrients that are
vital for the healthy functioning of the body. Peaches
are a rich provider of vitamin A, beta-carotene,
and vitamin C (ascorbic acid). They are also a good
source of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), vitamin
K (phylloquinone), vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin
B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B-6,
folate, and pantothenic acid. Peaches
also offer a rich treasure of minerals such
as calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, manganes
e, phosphorous, zinc, and copper. Peaches are low
in calories, contain no saturated fat or cholesterol,
and are a good source of dietary fiber.

14. Peach has Antioxidant Capacity:
The peels and the pulp of
peaches possess significant
antioxidant properties. The
presence of chlorogenic acid in
peaches also contribute to
their protective effects.
Antioxidants such as lutein,
zeaxanthin, and beta-
crytoxanthin help in
scavenging the oxygen-derived
free radicals and protect the
body against the harmful
effects of various diseases.

15. Peach and Hypokalemia:
Peaches contain potassium,
which is vital for proper nerve
signaling and cellular
functioning of the body. The
potassium content in peaches
also helps in metabolic
processes, utilizing
carbohydrates, maintaining
electrolyte balance, and the
regulation of muscular tissues.
A lack of potassium in the
body can lead to hypokalemia
which can affect muscular
strength and can cause an
irregular heartbeat

16. Peach and Cancer:
• Peaches are rich in phenolic and
carotenoid compounds,
whichpossess anti-tumor and anti-cancer
properties, as well as helping in fighting
various types of cancers such as breast
cancer, lung cancer, and colon
cancer . Studies have supported the fact
that chlorogenic acid and neochlorogenic
acid present in peaches exert
beneficial effects in inhibiting the growth
of breast cancer cells without affecting
the normal cells, unlike cancer treatment
with chemotherapy, which negatively
affects healthy cells as well. In addition to
this, research has shown that the
botanical group Rosaceae, which
includes peaches, is rich in beta-
carotene, thereby providing protective
effects against lung cancer

17. Peach for Skin Care:
• Peaches help in maintaining
healthy skin owing to the presence
of a good amount of vitamin C,
which also provides a defense
against harmful free radicals and
infections. Peaches also exert
protective effects on the skin
against ultraviolet
radiation. Studies have provided
evidence that the antioxidants
zeaxanthin and lutein have
significant anti-inflammatory
effects on the skin damage
caused by UV-B radiation and
they protect the skin from the
hyperproliferation of cells.
Flavonoids present in peaches
have photo protective effects and
help in preventing the skin from
UV-induced erythema.

18. Peach for Eye Health
• : Peaches are rich in beta-carotene, which gets
converted into vitamin A within the body. Beta-carotene
plays an important role in maintaining healthy eyesight
and prevents various eye diseases
like xerophthalmia and blindness. An
investigative research study has shown that the
carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin present in peaches
have positive effects associated with a reduced
prevalence of nuclear cataract. As suggested by
the studies, lutein and zeaxanthin reside in the macular
pigment of the eye and help in protecting the retina from
age-related macular degeneration. In addition to this,
these components present in peaches guard the retinal
tissues from the damage caused by free radicals and the
potential injury caused by high-wavelength
lighPregnancy: Peaches are valuable during pregnancy
due to the presence of a wide range of essential
vitamins and minerals. Vitamin C helps in the healthy
growth of the bones, teeth, skin, muscles, and blood
vessels of the baby. It also helps in the absorption of
iron, which is extremely crucial during pregnancy. The
folate in peaches helps in preventing neural tube defects
like spina bifida. Potassium content in peaches helps in
averting the muscle cramps and general fatigue common
during pregnancy. The presence of fiber aids in healthy
digestion and reduces conditions like constipation.

19. Peach in Pregnancy:
• Peaches are valuable during
pregnancy due to the presence of
a wide range of essential vitamins
and minerals. Vitamin C helps in
the healthy growth of the bones,
teeth, skin, muscles, and blood
vessels of the baby. It also helps
in the absorption of iron, which is
extremely crucial during
pregnancy. The folate in peaches
helps in preventing neural tube
defects like spina bifida.
Potassium content in peaches
helps in averting the muscle
cramps and general fatigue
common during pregnancy. The
presence of fiber aids in healthy
digestion and reduces conditions
like constipation.

20. Peach helps in Digestion:
• Peaches are good for maintaining
healthy digestive health due to
their alkaline content and fiber.
Dietary fiber in peaches absorbs
water and helps in preventing
stomach disorders like
constipation, hemorrhoids,
stomach ulcers, gastritis and
irregular bowel movements. It also
helps in cleansing and eliminating
the toxic waste from the intestines
and preventing the body from
contracting various abdominal
disorders, including stomach
cancer. Due to its laxative
properties, peaches also aid in the
dissolution of kidneys and bladder
stones.

21. Peach and Nervous System:
• The presence of magnesium in peaches
helps to prevent stress and anxiety in the
body and aids in keeping the nervous
system calm. A deficiency of magnesium
can affect the functioning of the central
nervous system, resulting in hyper
excited muscles and the increased
activity of nerve signals. An
investigative research study conducted in
this regard has suggested that the intake
of magnesium-rich foods along
with vitamin B-6 has favorable effects in
the treatment of central nervous system
hyper-excitability in children.
Another study has suggested that
magnesium treatment helps in recovering
from the symptoms of major depression.
The consumption of peaches is also
considered beneficial in Ayurvedic
therapy for balancing the nervous
system.

22. Peach and Obesity:
• Peaches contain bioactive
components that have
shown beneficial effects in
combating obesity-related
disorders. An
investigative research
study has suggested that
the presence of phenolic
compounds in peaches
have anti-inflammatory and
anti-obesity properties
which help in
fighting metabolic
syndromes that can
otherwise lead to serious
health concerns.

23. Peach and Immune System:
• Peaches are rich in ascorbic
acid and zinc, which aid in the
normal functioning of the body
and help to maintain a healthy
immune system. Zinc and
vitamin C
exert effectual wound healing
and antioxidant properties that
help in fighting infections and
reducing the prevalence and
severity of diseases such as
the common cold, malaria,
pneumonia, and diarrhea. A
deficiency of these
components can result in
oxidative bursts and impaired
cellular activity.

24. Peach Lower Cholesterol Levels
• : Research has shown
that phenolic compounds
present in the peel and
pulp of the clingstone
peaches helps in
maintaining lower levels
of LDL cholesterol and
stimulating good HDL
cholesterol. This aids in
reducing the risk of
developing diseases
related to the heart and
maintains optimal
cardiovascular health.

25. Peach and Anti-Aging:
• Peaches are a source of
zinc, which has anti-aging
properties.
The consumption of zinc-
rich foods such as
peaches promotes the
production of antibodies
and inhibits the cellular
damage caused by free
radicals. It also interferes
with the aging process of
male reproductive organs
by boosting the levels of
the reproductive hormone
testosterone in the body.

26. Peach for Healthy Bones and Teeth:
• Peaches contain phosphorous
which, along with calcium, helps in
strengthening bones and teeth
and helping in the maintenance
and repair of bodily tissues. It also
aids in the prevention of various
bone diseases like decalcification,
which can lead to osteoporosis,
particularly in post-menopausal
women. Consumption of foods
rich in phosphorus such as
peaches promotes re-
mineralization of bones and
maintains their rigidity. Along with
calcium, the vitamin C content in
peaches also plays an important
role in the strengthening of jaw
bones and gums which helps in
keeping the teeth intact.

27. Peach and Detoxification:
• Peaches are beneficial for
cleansing and detoxifying the body
and they assist in flushing out
harmful toxins from the liver and
kidneys. An investigative study
has proven that peach extracts
possess hepato-protectant
elements and are valuable in
treating the condition of hepato-
toxicity caused as a result of
prolonged therapy for various
diseases
like migraine, tuberculosis,
and diabetes. Peaches are widely
used in eastern cultures in the
manufacturing of herbal
detoxification products such as
detox teas.

28. Peach and Blood Stasis
• : The inner kernel of
peaches has been
suggested to be
beneficial in treating the
condition of blood stasis
in which the blood
becomes inactive. Blood
stasis may arise as a
consequence of a long-
term deficiency of blood,
and may result in dryness
of blood. This can also
happen because of
childbirth, abdominal
injuries, or surgeries.

29. Peach and Cellular Health:
• Peaches contain iron,
which is vital for the
formation of hemoglobin
in red blood cells. The
consumption of foods like
peaches is important
during all the stages of
life, including childhood,
adolescence, adulthood
and phases such as
menstruation and
pregnancy

30. Peach and Neurodegenerative Disorders:
• Studies have proven that
peach extracts exert
beneficial effects on the
central cholinergic system.
The cholinergic system is a
neurotransmitter system
that acts as the backbone of
memory and learning
functions. Components
present in peaches avert
the cholinergic system from
degenerating and prevents
various disorders like
Alzheimer’s disease.

31. Peach Culinary Usages:
• Due to the abundance
of health promoting
compounds, delicious
flavor and low
calories, peaches are
often added as
an ingredient in
various healthy
recipes such
as yogurts, shakes,
and cakes.