Eating peaches can prevent cancer
A study shows that the caffeic acid in peaches can prevent both breast, colon and lung cancer. But these delicate fruits have other important health and beauty benefits.
Scientifically called "Prunus persica", the peaches they are native to northwestern China, dating back more than 8,000 years. Appetizing, fragrant and juicy, peaches are endowed not only with a special taste, but also with an impressive baggage of essential nutrients for health, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and bioflavonoids.
For example, peaches are rich in phenolic compounds and carotenoids, which possess antitumor and anticancer properties.
You've probably heard of caffeic acid as a compound of coffee, but it's also found in peaches. According to a study carried out in Sweden, it would offer protection against breast and colon cancer, as well as lung cancer (the beta-carotene in the composition also has an important role in fighting lung cancer), thanks to the two anti-cancer components, chlorogenic and neochlorogenic acids, antioxidant compounds that help kill cancer cells without affecting healthy ones.
Another American study once claimed that polyphenols found in peaches can inhibit the growth of breast or colon cancer cells. The alkaline potential of this fruit is also extremely useful in preventing cancer.
According to another study, replacing sugary drinks - a risk factor, moreover, in terms of the occurrence of cancers - with fresh fruit juice, rich in polyphenols (and peaches contain plenty), can also reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, thanks to a unique combination of bioactive compounds found in peaches.
Peaches also contain a type of phenolic compound, which, according to one study, has greater antioxidant power than vitamin C or carotenoids. They also contain other antioxidants such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-cryptoxanthin, which are thought to support healthy aging and the prevention of many diseases, as well as eye health.
According to a report published by the University of Minnesota, vitamins A, C (one fruit can contain up to 19% of the recommended daily dose) and E and selenium in peaches have an antioxidant role and support detoxification; eliminating toxic waste from the intestines is essential in disease prevention.
And because we mentioned vitamin A, we know very well how important it is for skin health, but also for its healthy tone.
Then vitamin C, the star antioxidant found in most fruits and vegetables, helps slow aging, reduce wrinkles, improve skin texture, and protect skin from the sun and pollution. And what's even more interesting is that fresh and canned peaches seem to contain similar amounts of vitamins and minerals—as long as the canned fruit is unpeeled.
Peaches are also rich in fibre, the regular consumption of which provides a feeling of satiety and contributes to healthy weight loss, with a medium-sized fruit having only 60 kcal.
Moreover, an American study states that the association of dietary fiber with fruit could drastically reduce the incidence of obesity, which appears more and more often among children.
Perhaps the most unexpected benefit of eating peaches is related to well-being. According to a study published by the University of Kentucky, they can have a relaxing effect and help reduce anxiety, thanks to the folic acid content, essential for brain health. For the same reason, peaches are also recommended during pregnancy; folate helps prevent neural tube defects in the fetus, while potassium helps prevent muscle cramps and general fatigue typical of pregnancy.
You find it here a delicious dessert with peaches. Savor it!

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