Persimmons

🍅  My favorite fruit this time of year is the persimmon!  And my favorite way to eat the Fuyu type is sliced up in a salad, although lately, I've been slicing them up to snack on.  They're delicious and full of health benefits!

Types of Persimmons

Fuyu Persimmons

🍅  The most commonly available persimmons are the Hachiya and Fuyu varieties.

🍅  Hachiya persimmons are astringent, meaning they're very high in tannins and must be fully ripe before eating.  Ripe Hachiya persimmons are very soft in texture and sweet.  Generally the flesh of the fully ripe Hachiya persimmon is scooped out of the skin to eat.

🍅  Fuyu persimmons are considered non-astringent, although they also contain tannins.  They can be eaten when they're crisp and not fully ripe.  They can be eaten sliced as a snack.

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The Health Benefits of Persimmons

Persimmons are High in Vitamins and Minerals

🍅  Persimmons contain 55% the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of Vitamin A, along with the antioxidants, lutein and zeaxanthan.  These are all nutrients that support healthy vision.

🍅  They also contain 22% of the RDA of VitaminC, which helps lower chronic inflammation, a common cause of many diseases.

🍅  Persimmons contain 30% of the RDA of manganese, which is important in bone formation and metabolism.

🍅  They're also good sources of many other vitamins and minerals.

Persimmons Contain Many Beneficial Antioxidants

I love the look of persimmons hanging from the bare leafed trees in November.

🍅  Persimmons are an excellent source of powerful antioxidants such as carotenoids and flavonoids.

🍅  One of most well known carotenoids is beta-carotene.  Studies have linked diets high in beta-carotene to a lower risk of heart disease, lung cancer, colorectal cancer and metabolic syndrome.

🍅  There is also a study of over 37,000 people that found that people with a high dietary intake of beta-carotene containing foods had a significantly reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

🍅  Persimmons are also high in flavonoids which have been linked to lower rates of heart disease, age-related mental decline, and lung cancer.  They benefit heart health by lowering blood pressure, reducing inflammation, and decreasing cholesterol levels.

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Persimmons are High in Fiber

🍅  Persimmons are low in calories and high in fiber.  Fiber helps lower cholesterol, reduce blood sugar levels, and keep the digestive system healthy.  

🍅  Other benefits of persimmons are that they soothe sore throats and irritated intestinal tracts.  They have mild laxative qualities, and they contain enzymes that break down damaged cells and foreign microbes.

Are Persimmons a Staple in Your Late Fall Diet?
What's your favorite way to eat them?  
Please comment below!