health benefits of nectarines

Health Benefits of Nectarines

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Health Benefits of Nectarines 

BENEFITS:

• A fairly rich source of beta carotene and potassium.
• Provide moderate amounts of vitamin C.
• High in pectin, a soluble fiber.

DRAWBACKS:

• The flesh darkens when exposed to air.
• The Pits contain cyanide.

Health Benefits of Nectarines

Nectarines is a kind of peach fruit, where Nectarines are just little bit different. Nectarines are sweeter and more nutritious than peaches, their genetic cousin, nectarines were named after the Greek god Nekter, their juice was later called the drink of gods. This juicy fruit, which is often described as being like a peach without the fuss, is especially high in beta carotene, an ANTIOXIDANT that the body converts to vitamin A. One medium size nectarine has 50 calories and provides more than 800 I.U. of vitamin A, about 20% of the adult Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). It is also high in potassium, contributing about 150mg, with 7mg of vitamin C, or 10% of the RDA, a nectarine is not as high in this nutrient as many other fruits.
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The yellow flesh of nectarines is rich in BIOFLAVONOIDS, especially carroenoids, these plan pigments are antioxidants that help protect against cancer and   other diseases by reducing the cellular damage that occurs when the body burns oxygen. Nectarines are also high in pectin, a soluble fiber that helps control blood cholesterol level. The skins contribute insoluble fiber, which helps prevent constipation.

Cutting or peeling  a nectarine releases an enzyme that causes a darkening of the flesh. The fruit may look less appetizing, but the browning doesnt alter its flavor or nutritional value. The discoloring can be slowed by immediately dipping the fruit in an acidic solution, for example a teaspoon of vinegar diluted in cup of water or tossing sliced nectarines          

with a little lemon juice or lime juice.

Health Benefits of Nectarines

Warning: Nectarine pits contain amygdalin, a compound that is converted to cyanide in the stomach. Although accidentally swallowing an occasional pit is not harmful, consuming several of them at a time can cause cyanide poisoning.

THE BEST SELECTION: 

When buying nectarines, select fruit that is moderately firm but brightly colored. The fruit is ready to eat when the flesh yields to gentle pressure and has a sweet, fruity fragrance. To ripen firm nectarines, place them in  a paper bag and store at room temperature, they should achieve full ripeness in 2 or 3 days. Reject nectarines that are hard or have a greenish skin. These were harvested too early, even though they will soften, they will never achieve peak sweetness an flavor.

DID YOU KNOW? Worldwide, there are more than 150 varieties of Nectarines. Early nectarines had white flesh and green, yellow, or red skins Todays juicier yellow flesh varieties were developed by crossbreeding with peaches as well as with other varieties of nectarines. There is absolutely no basis to the myth that a nectarine is a cross between a peach and a plum, ti actually originated as a genetic variant of a peach.