Is Peach Juice Healthy?
Peach juice is bursting with minerals and vitamins; it’s low in calories and has loads of health benefits. The peach fruit is medicinal, and it enriches the body in many ways. Its juice is made from its orange fleshy part. Let’s discuss its health benefits.
11 Health Benefits of Peach Juice
Prevents Cancer
Peach juice contains lutein, lycopene, beta-carotene, and vitamins C and E in large amounts. These nutrients contain compounds that suppress tumor, making peach juice anticarcinogenic, hence inhibiting cancer. Its beta-carotene and vitamin E contents particularly enhance the immune system to fight cancer.
Enhances Weight Loss
Peach juice contains only 60 calories, making it a reliable weight loss diet. In addition to exercise and a healthy diet, you may drink peach juice to help you achieve your weight loss goals.
Improves Cardiovascular Health
Peach juice contains vitamin C, potassium, and iron, all of which are vital for protecting the heart. Iron is essential for proper blood circulation to aid the oxygenation process. Potassium reduces strain on blood vessels, while vitamin C shields arteries and tissues from damage by making the healing process faster. All of these reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke.
Prevents Aging
Regular consumption of peach juice beautifies the skin as a result of its vitamin C content which eliminates free radicals, hence reduces wrinkles.
Boosts Immunity
Peach juice helps boost immunity. It contains antioxidants and loads of vitamins such as vitamins A, B, and C which build the body’s defense system.
Improves Kidney Health
People who drink peach juice daily have lower chances of suffering from kidney diseases. Peach juice flushes accumulated toxins and clears the urinary tract, hence dissolves kidney stones. This juice has diuretic and laxative properties that enable the kidneys to function better.
Improves Vision
Peach juice contains beta-carotene in high amounts, thereby reducing the oxidative stress of the retina, and slows down the development of cataracts in the process. It also prevents macular degeneration to improve vision.
Detoxifies Body Waste
Peach juice has laxative and diuretic properties, and as a result, expels toxins and relieves strain on the kidney and liver.
Treats Inflammatory Conditions
Peach juice combats inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, migraines, and gout. It contains antioxidants and minerals that regulate the release of histamine to inhibit allergic reactions. However, consuming the same peach juice excessively may trigger allergic reactions in the throat and tongue.
Aids Digestion
Peach juice contains alkaline which treats gastritis, flatulence, nausea, constipation, and other digestive issues. Regular consumption of peach juice aids digestion.
Improves Sleep
A drink of peach juice before bedtime leaves you drowsy and helps you have a sound sleep. Peach juice has sedative qualities due to its mineral contents which balance sleep hormones. Having sleep issues? Ensure you drink peach juice nightly.
10 Side Effects of Peach Juice
The side effects of peach juice are mainly as a result of excessive intake. Peach juice, like every other nutritious drink, should be consumed in moderation. Let’s discuss the side effects of peach juice.
Excess Antioxidants
Peach juice contains antioxidants like vitamin A, vitamin C, flavonoids, and phytonutrients which fight free radicals and prevent oxidative damage, however, people who drink a lot of peach juice stand the risk of consuming excess antioxidants, and this may lead to cardiovascular disease, stroke, and even cancer.
There are cases where people don’t drink peach juice excessively but are still at risk of these conditions — perhaps because they obtain a good amount of antioxidants from other sources.
Vitamin A Overdose
Vitamin A keeps the eyes healthy and combats many eye defects. However, an overdose of vitamin A may lead to complications such as bone pain, blurry vision, bleeding in lungs, decreased thyroid, cracked fingernails, and some other health conditions.
An overdose of vitamin A may be as a result of excess consumption of peach juice.
Pregnancy Issues
Peach juice contains folic acid which is essential for the proper development of the fetus, however, when pregnant women consume the juice in excess, they experience complications such as nausea, skin rashes, cramps, seizures, and diarrhea as a result of excess folic acid in their system.
Potassium Overdose
Regular consumption of peach juice is beneficial to people who are hypertensive because it contains potassium and some other essential minerals. However, excess potassium as a result of high peach juice consumption may cause hypotension — low blood pressure — with symptoms like dizziness, blurry vision, and fatigue.
Excess Hydration
Peach juice contains loads of nutrients that make it beneficial for skin health. Its vitamins C and E contents, for instance, fight free radicals, and in the long run, prevent aging. Its water content keeps the skin moisturized and hydrated, however, it could be dangerous to the skin and entire health when there is excess consumption.
Excess Fiber
When you drink too much of peach juice, its fiber content may hinder your intestines from properly absorbing nutrients, hence leading to complications such as intestinal blockage, intestinal gas, and constipation.
Phosphorus Overdose
The phosphorus content in peach juice is highly beneficial, however, when you take it in excess, you may experience muscle pain, diarrhea, increased thirst, stomach pain, and some other conditions.
Excess Iron
Peach juice’s iron content is quite beneficial, but only when consumption is in moderation. Excess iron consumption leads to liver disease, heart attack, heart failure, fatigue, and some other health issues.
Excess Magnesium
Regular consumption of peach juice provides relief from anxiety and stress. It also enables the nervous system to function better. This is as a result of its magnesium content. However, an excessive intake of magnesium may cause muscle weakness, low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, respiratory disorders, diarrhea, and some other conditions. Moderation is key in consuming peach juice.
Risk of Weight Gain
Inasmuch as peach juice contains only a few calories, excessive intake may make the calories add up and cause weight gain. This risk is more prevalent in cases where there is calorie intake from other sources.
Quick Peach Facts
- There are over 600 varieties of peaches globally.
- Studies show that peaches were mentioned in Chinese writings as far back as the 10th century BC.
- Peaches are referred to as “fruit of calmness”, for their ability to reduce anxiety.
- Some climes consider peaches as the symbol of protection, longevity, and good luck.
- Brides in some parts of China use peach flowers to decorate their hair, and they believe that it symbolizes immortality and unity.
- Columbus brought peaches to America on his second and third voyages.
- The aromas of peaches have analgesic effects.
- Ancient Romans called peaches “persian apples” because they believed that peaches originated from Persia.
- Peach trees thrive in temperate climates.
- Nitrogen-rich fertilizers and constant water supply enhance the growth of peach plants.
- Peach trees grow as tall as 33 feet in height, depending on their variety.
- Peach trees grow flowers before leaves. The flowers have both female and male reproductive organs.
- There are two groups of peaches in which all varieties fall in: clingstone and freestone peaches.
- Peaches are used to make creams, lotions, shampoos, and perfumes.
- Peaches ripe faster when you place them in a brown paper bag for two to three days.
Now That You Know…
Peach juice is highly beneficial, and its side effects are mainly as a result of excessive intake. To enjoy the benefits of peach juice and remain healthy, ensure you consume it in moderation.