10 Reasons To Eat Peach For Breakfast
Peaches are popular lunch fruits, easy to pack in a lunch bag and easier to eat off hand. But, did you know that including peach for breakfast will do you more good than you might have ever thought of? Just a single serving of this stone fruit in the morning can energize you with immune boosting Vitamin C, provide more potassium than a medium size banana, sharpen your eye sight with some Vitamin A, and kick start your brain activity with abundance of healthy natural sugars. Still not convinced! read on to know more of about the health benefits of eating breakfast peach…
Benefits of eating peaches for breakfast
1. Trove of vital nutrients
Peaches are a rich source of over 30 vital vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin A, Vitamin B, and Vitamin C, and minerals such as potassium, iron, calcium, and phosphorous. Each of these nutrients plays an important role in the upkeep of the organ systems of our body. Having peach for your morning meals helps keep these organ systems in their best condition, fit enough to get you through the day.
2. Beneficial to the eyes
Like most colored fruits, peach is a good source of beta carotene (the precursor of Vitamin A and the pigment that gives the yellow/saffron color to the peach flesh). Along with this pigment nutrient, these fruits also contain several trace metals that help improve vision. Moreover, the phyto-nutrients present in the fruits prevent free-radical related aging of the retina and prevent age related macular disease and cataract risk.
3. A potent detoxifying agent
Peaches are rife with several natural detoxifying agents like flavonoids, carotenes, and polyphenols. These compounds help remove and/or neutralize the toxins in the liver (the organ responsible for detoxification of the body). The simple sugars present in the fruit promote live health, which in turn enhances the natural toxin removal process carried out in the liver.
4. Ideal for weight loss diets
As about 80% of the content of the peach is water and it is rich in dietary fiber, it is an ideal way to lose weight and to diet. The water and fiber add to the satiety value of the breakfast, making you eat less for the morning meal. Moreover, the fiber content also helps enhance metabolic rate of the body, which promotes fat mobilization.
5. Improves GI health
Peaches are rich in dietary fiber and contain the right amount of simple sugars. Moreover, they are loaded with phytonutrients and trace elements like Vitamin C and Vitamin A. Regular consumption of peaches can help in regulating bowel movements and in getting rid of constipation. Plus, research has proved that the peach is effective as treatment against worms in the intestines.
6. Prevents degenerative diseases
Degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease are purported to be prevented and in certain rare cases reversed by regular morning consumption of peaches. The antioxidant agents and certain unidentified compounds in peaches have shown promising effects in reversing these morbid brain conditions in animal studies.
7. Powerful anti-carcinogenic agent
Stone fruits like peaches are crammed with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agents and nutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, selenium, potassium, flavonoids, carotenoids, and more. These help prevent fre radical damage of the cells, prevent cell mutation, and in the long run prevent formation and/or progression of cancer cell formations.
8. Makes skin happy
As the name suggests, eating a peach a day, keeps the dermatologist away! These fruits are a rich source of almost all skin friendly nutrients including zinc, Vitamin A and C, B vitamins, and more. Regular consumption of peach for breakfast helps prevent acne, prevents germ build up in the pores, and gives you a rich and glowing skin.
9. Boost immunity
Each cup of peach provides over 20% of the daily needs for Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and selenium. Apart from these nutrients, peaches contain 25 different kinds of carotenoids keep your immune system healthy and help protect against pathogens, while reducing flawed immune actions in allergy conditions.
10. Kidney cleanser
Peach tea is known in Eastern cultures to be a kidney cleanser and used as a detoxification agent in the traditional Oriental Medical practice. However, it isn’t the peach pulp, but a brew made from the pits that provides one with these benefits. Peaches are also believed to be good to provide relief from stomach ulcers and other digestive issues like colitis and kidney disease. This may be due to their high fiber and potassium content.
Tips to include peaches in breakfast
Eating peaches as is might be the best and easiest way to consume peaches during breakfast. However, many find eating peaches as is messy or not maybe at times way too boring. To help you with this task here are some scrumptious ways to include them in your 1st meal of the day
· Fresh Peach sorbet: Sorbet is the perfect breakfast drink. For this either you can use canned peach or extract the flesh beforehand. In the, morning all you need to do is blend the flesh with some crushed ice and you are ready.
· Peach pancakes: Fill your traditional pancakes with some exotic yet healthy peach sauce. You can prepare this by cooking peach puree with sugar, butter, and spices, or use readymade sauce. Alternately you can also top the pancakes with diced peaches and/or peach sauce.
· Quick crispy peaches: A modified version of fruit crumble, all you need to do is mix whole-wheat flour with butter and molasses. Next cover a layer of peaches with this mixture and bake for 10 mins, your crispy and delectable breakfast will be ready.
· Peach yogurt: This is probably the simplest recipe to prepare, just blend plain yogurt with mashed peaches and you are ready to dig in. The peaches will add enough sweetness and extra sugar is usually not needed.
· Peach sandwich: A perfect delight for those who prefer a twist in their food. Just add slices of peaches between 2 buttered breads along with some peanut or almond butter and jam. You and the kids your house will surely love this treat.
· Peach and oatmeal porridge: Bored of the same old oatmeal preparations, add a new zing to the dish with some colorful peach. You can add slices of the fruit at the end of the preparation, or mix in some peach puree for delightful splash of color in your morning meal.
Peaches need not just be Elle and Manny’s favorite child (for all my fellow Ice Age Fans) or a color that men can’t seem to understand and women can’t seem to get over. These are delectably tempting fruits filled with more health benefits that the fingers on your hands. So go ahead, include a peach for your breakfast, and see the difference it makes to your health.