It turns out that nectarines have a number of health benefits. Nectarines are the best source of vitamins A, C, potassium, and fiber. They are also rich in antioxidants, including vitamin E and flavonoids. Health writes that the nutrients in nectarines can help maintain a healthy weight and prevent a number of diseases.
Rich in antioxidants
Nectarines contain several antioxidants, including vitamins A, C, E, and flavonoids, particularly anthocyanins. Antioxidants protect cells from free radicals, compounds that the body naturally produces in response to exercise, ultraviolet rays, cigarette smoke, and pollution.
Free radicals damage cellular components, including DNA, which can play a role in the development of cancer and other diseases. Antioxidants interact with free radicals and neutralize them, preventing them from damaging cells.
Maintaining a healthy weight
Eating fruit, especially nectarines, can help you maintain a healthy weight in several ways. Studies have shown that eating fruit can help you feel fuller and reduce the amount you eat. One study found that in overweight or obese women, fruit had a greater impact on weight loss over four years than vegetables. This may be because people tend to eat only fruit rather than other calorie-rich foods.
Another study of more than 74,000 women with an average age of 51 found that women who ate more fruit had a 24% lower risk of obesity. Additionally, a Canadian study found that women who ate two or more servings of fruit a day had a 12% lower risk of developing abdominal obesity. It is noted that only 12% of adults get the recommended amount of fruit per day.
Promotes heart health
Studies have shown that consuming 30 to 40 grams of fiber daily reduces the risk of metabolic syndrome by 27 percent — a group of conditions that together increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and other serious health problems. One study found that fruit fiber was more effective in protecting against metabolic syndrome than other sources of fiber. In other previously published studies involving more than 760,000 people, analysis showed that increased fruit consumption reduced the risk of stroke by 32 percent.
Can protect eye health
Nectarines contain the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which are uniquely important for eye health. The two eye tissues that influence vision are the macula and the lens. Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in these two important tissues, and studies have shown that these compounds protect the retina and lens from age-related changes.
Source: www.gorod.lv
