Persimmons are in season, how can we share their deliciousness and safety?

At present, sweet and tempting persimmons have been put on the market in large quantities. They are rich in natural sugars, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, and are deeply loved by consumers. However, the "popular science" that persimmons cannot be eaten with milk, crabs, fish and shrimps, and that eating persimmons will cause stomach stones, etc., also makes many consumers stay away from buying them.

Is it true that persimmons can’t be delicious and safe to share? Let’s find out.

1. Nutrition and efficacy of persimmon

Persimmons are rich in nutrients, including vitamin A, vitamin C, and a large amount of pectin and minerals. Vitamin A is very important for maintaining vision, promoting bone growth and protecting skin health; vitamin C is an important antioxidant that can effectively remove free radicals in the body, delay cell aging, and enhance immunity. Pectin is a water-soluble dietary fiber that can relieve constipation and maintain the growth and reproduction of normal intestinal flora. At the same time, the tannic acid (tannic acid) in persimmons has astringent and antidiarrheal effects and can regulate gastrointestinal function. In addition, tannic acid also helps regulate blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and protect the cardiovascular system.

2. Why do persimmons have a bitter taste?

The astringency of persimmons is mainly because unripe persimmons contain soluble tannic acid. When the soluble tannic acid is dissolved by saliva and then contacts the protein on the oral mucosa, it will cause the protein to coagulate and produce a sense of astringency. The tannic acid content in unripe persimmons is high , especially near the persimmon skin, so the astringency is stronger. As the persimmons mature, the tannic acid gradually changes from soluble to insoluble, and the astringency gradually decreases.

3. Can persimmons not be eaten with milk or seafood?

In fact, it is all because of tannic acid. The tannic acid in unripe persimmons will react with proteins, iron ions, calcium ions and other substances in seafood, milk and other foods to form complexes that are not easily absorbed by the human body, thus affecting food digestion and absorption. The tannic acid content of mature persimmons is generally below 0.5%, so as long as they are eaten in moderation, they will not cause digestive problems .

4. Will eating persimmons cause stomach stones?

When eating persimmons on an empty stomach, the tannic acid in the persimmons reacts with cellulose, hemicellulose and protein under the action of gastric acid to form water-insoluble sediments, which are immersed in the stomach and then coagulate into lumps with pectin and plant fibers, forming gastric stones. Therefore, you should avoid eating persimmons on an empty stomach , and try to remove the persimmon peel with a high tannic acid content when eating.

Kind tips

Although persimmons are delicious, you should eat them according to your health condition. You should wait until persimmons are fully ripe before eating them. Put persimmons and other fruits, such as apples, pears, kiwis, etc. in a sealed container to accelerate the ripening of persimmons. After a few days, the persimmons will become soft and sweet.

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