Persimmon

This sweet, juicy, and refreshing fruit appears at the end of fall through winter. Originally from Japan, its Hebrew name is inspired by 'Persimmon Oil' mentioned in the Mishna. Besides its taste, does it offer health benefits?

Its orange color indicates that it's rich in various carotenoids, which can reduce the risk of various cancers, such as oral, throat, and lung cancer. They are considered antioxidants, helping prevent the development of toxins harmful to various bodily processes, and thus contribute to the prevention of various diseases.

Persimmons also contain lutein and zeaxanthin, found in carrots and all orange vegetables, very important for eye health. Persimmons have a highly significant amount of Vitamin A. This vitamin plays a crucial role in strengthening the immune system, which can also help prevent cancer and other diseases. Vitamin A also plays a vital role in aiding overall vision health, especially night vision. Additionally, this vitamin is essential for building hemoglobin in the blood and has many other varied functions. Persimmons are also very high in Vitamin C, adding to the fruit's classification as having properties that help strengthen the immune system.

Another interesting fact about persimmons is their contribution to preventing heart diseases. A study conducted on rats at the Hebrew University revealed that daily consumption of persimmons helps balance blood lipids, prevents artery blockages, and thereby reduces the risk of heart diseases. This is thanks to its high fiber content, antioxidants, various minerals, and more. Persimmon is one of the fruits richest in dietary fiber. The dietary fibers help prevent constipation and balance blood sugar and lipid levels. Given the many advantages of persimmons, it's puzzling why they have a reputation for causing health complications like intestinal blockages. Prof. Freddy Quikof of the "Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Institute" at 'Meir' Medical Center stated: "Persimmons contain many fibers and substances that harden while passing through the intestines, potentially blocking them. However, this is an almost rare phenomenon among healthy individuals. Those most susceptible to intestinal blockages are people with long-term diabetes or those who have undergone surgeries like partial stomach removal. For healthy individuals, these fibers are beneficial as they allow the colon to work better and even reduce the risk of colon cancer." Therefore, it's justified to eat and enjoy this fruit, while those sensitive should be aware of the limitations in consuming it.

Eliyahu Schechter is an iridologist and natural therapist