what do peaches have to do with ibs?
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peaches are a moderate source of vitamin a and c, as well as potassium, according to the cleveland clinic. getty
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peaches are more than just a southern staple and the title of the 2021 justin bieber smash hit, they’re one of the tastiest fruits around and come with some health benefits to boot.
a favourite around the world, peaches are known for their fuzzy skin and sweet flavour. the fruit has been enjoyed for almost 8,000 years, according to scientists who found fossilized peach stones in zhejiang province, china.
where do peaches come from?
china produces the greatest amount of peaches every year, producing 14,294,973 tonnes in 2019, according to worldatlas. spain, the next production powerhouse produced 1,799,685 tonnes, italy with 1,250,721 tonnes and greece with 938,000. in fact, italy, spain, and greece are responsible for nearly 91 per cent of all peaches grown in the european union, according to eurostat.
in canada, there are a few areas with a mild enough climate to grow the fruit. areas including niagara, ontario and the okanagan valley, british columbia can grow peaches, according to the university of guelph.
in other areas of the world, turkey, iran, egypt, chile, and korea are all capable of growing the fruit as well, according to worldatlas.
peaches may lower cholesterol and blood pressure
peaches are a moderate source of vitamin a and c, as well as potassium, according to the cleveland clinic.
the fruit may also provide a few heart specific benefits. research in animals found that peach extract can lower cholesterol and blood pressure. they also improve digestion thanks to fibre (especially in the skin) and stabilize blood sugar, doctor maxine smith told the cleveland clinic.
smith added that the fuzzy fruit is a moderate source of beta carotene, which is turned into vitamin a and can help the eyes. researchers have also found that peach pit extract may reduce uv damage on the skin.
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peaches may irritate ibs
people with ibs should be cautious with the number of peaches they eat, as the fruit contains a higher than normal amount of sugar
which can cause gastrointestinal distress, specifically in people who are only just finding out they have ibs and are trying to learn which foods are safe and which are not.
much of the antioxidants and fibre benefits are stored in the skin, so peeled or canned peaches won’t carry as many benefits as a whole peach.
how can i tell if they are ripe?
it’s relatively easy to know when a peach is ripe: if it’s hard to the touch, it’s not ripe. just be sure to not squeeze too hard when checking, as the skin could rip.
the skin itself should be dark yellow when it’s ready to eat, according to parlee farms. the reddish hue that is often associated with peaches is actually a form of sunburn that occurs on the skin of the fruit, and will not happen further after the peach has been moved inside.
ways to eat peaches
sliced peaches can be added to other meals, such as cereal, pancakes or waffles and yogurts to add a fruity flavour to the dish. the same can be done for smoothies as well.
salsa is a less traditional — but equally delicious — way to enjoy peaches. by combining the fruit with onion, garlic, ginger, peppers, cilantro, lime, and slat, you can quickly whip up a dip
that is as great for your body as it is for your tongue.
a less healthy option is peach cobbler, by combining peaches with sugar, salt, butter, flour, and a few other pantry staples, the dessert can be cooked up in less than an hour.
this story originally appeared on june 22, 2022.
chris arnold is a toronto-based writer.
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