Persimmon: Proven Benefits, Nutrition, and How to Eat It
Although generally an orange sub-tropical fruit, persimmons can be yellow, brown-orange, or deep red. The orange tomato-like fruit gets its color from the high levels of carotenoids in it. These are antioxidant chemicals that promote good cardiovascular health. (2)
What Does a Persimmon Fruit Taste Like?
Persimmons can contain between 10 and 17 grams of sugar per 100 grams. This gives persimmons a distinctly sweet taste. One of the unique qualities of persimmons is the astringent taste of this fruit. This is why eating some varieties of persimmon make your mouth feel numb. (2)
Types of Persimmon
There are over 400 different varieties of persimmon with about 70% of the world’s production coming from China. (1)
Persimmon trees are also native to some parts of the U.S. The American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) and the Texas persimmon (Diospyros texana) are 2 native varieties. As with all persimmon fruits, these varieties also have strong antioxidant properties that are good for your health. (3)
One of the most popular varieties of persimmon is the Japanese persimmon, or, Diospyros kaki fruit. Most varieties of the Japanese persimmon contain high levels of tannins that reduce as they mature. This is why eating an unripe persimmon makes your mouth feel dry and with astringent taste.
However, when ripe, this is a sweet-tasting fruit that has soft flesh.
Hachiya is the astringent variety of persimmon that has a dry taste if you eat the fruit before it is ripe.
Fuyu persimmons (fuyu fruits) are sweet non-astringent persimmon fruits and can be eaten with the skin even before they fully ripen.
Persimmon Fruit Nutrition Facts (Calories, Sugar, Carbs, and More)
One of the reasons why persimmons are a popular fruit is that they are very nutritious and good for you.
Calories in a persimmon
According to information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), one Japanese persimmon contains 118 calories. (4)
Sugar content
As with many fruits, persimmons contain sugar. A standard persimmon contains 21 g of sugar, most of which is glucose and fructose.
Carbs and fiber
Although one persimmon contains 31 grams of carbs, it also has 6 grams of fiber. The high fiber content of persimmon helps to slow down digestion and the absorption of sugar and is good for your cardiovascular health. In fact, gram for gram, persimmons have more fiber than apples and oranges. (4, 5, 6)
Vitamins and minerals in a persimmon
One of the reasons why persimmons are so good for your health is that they are full of vitamins. One Fuyu persimmon contains 2,733 IU vitamin A which is over half of your recommended daily intake (RDI). (4)
A whole persimmon also contains 12.6 mg of vitamin C which is over 20% of your daily needs. There are also vitamins E and K as well as B-group vitamins in these exotic fruits. (4)
All varieties of persimmon contain trace amounts of calcium, magnesium, copper, potassium, phosphorus, and iron.
Antioxidants in persimmons
One of the unique health benefits of eating persimmons is that they are a storehouse of antioxidants. Research has shown that phytochemicals in persimmons have a protective effect against a number of ailments.
Studies about the health benefits of persimmons have found they have strong antioxidant activity, and these are prevalent in persimmon leaves and fruits, for example flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acids, catechins, and carotenoids. (1)
Another nutritional benefit of Japanese persimmons is their high tannin content. Tannins are also antioxidants that kill off free radicals in the body. These free radical scavengers in persimmons have been linked to lowering the risk of stroke, treating hypertension, and having anti-cancer properties. (1)
Health Benefits of a Persimmon Fruit
Let’s look in more detail at scientific studies showing why persimmons are good for your heart, digestion, and health in general.
Persimmons Promote a Strong Immune System
The fact that persimmons are packed full of vitamins means that they are a great fruit to boost your immunity.
The Journal of Food Quality reported that Japanese persimmons and American persimmons are excellent sources of vitamins A and C. Also, the researchers found that non-astringent persimmon fruits have more vitamin A and C than the astringent varieties. (7)
Beta-carotene is in abundance in most varieties of persimmons. This antioxidant that gives fruits and vegetables an orange color has been linked to cancer prevention and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. (8, 9)
Learn about some easy hacks to give your immune system an almost instant boost. You can also learn about other foods, vitamins and supplements to help prevent infections by boosting your immunity.
