Are Nectarines As Good As Peaches?

Little On The History Of Both

Prunus Persica, or the peach, has been around for thousands years. It's native to China and its first mention dates to 10^th century BC, but it got its name because of its popularity throughout Persia. Nectarine is probably younger, as the first mention of it was in America in 17^th century. Peaches are often bigger and have a fuzzy coating around them. Nectarines are smaller and smooth-looking.

Although they look similar, there's a gene variation between them. Peaches have a dominant gene, and that's the reason their skin is "hairy". Both can be freestone, which means their pits come out easily, or clingstone — meaning that the pit sticks to the flesh. Also, they both come in white and yellow varieties. White flesh means that the peach or nectarine is sweeter with little acidity, and yellow flesh means more acidity with little bit of sweetness. Both varieties have some red color on their skin. Asians prefer white ones with lower acidity, while Europeans and Americans through the history preferred less sweet ones. In order to develop fruits, both trees require colder weather conditions, and the fruit is fully ripped by June.

Nectarines express a recessive gene, meaning there's no fuzz on the outside. They tend to be small and firm, often smelling better than peaches, but because of the recessive gene they can be more susceptible to pests and diseases. There's so much similarity between them that it doesn't matter which one you buy, only make sure they're fresh from the market.

Health Benefits Of Nectarines

Nectarines are low in calories and contain no fat. They're also naturally cholesterol-free. They help to keep the immune system healthy for a long time. In terms of vitamins and minerals, nectarines are a good source of various nutrients including:

• Vitamin A

• Vitamin C

• Vitamin E

• Vitamin K

• Niacin

• Potassium

• Zinc

• Copper

• Phosphor

• Dietary fiber, and more

Research has shown that nectarines can be extremely beneficial for the skin because of their rich bioflavonoid properties. Also, due to the high content of beta-carotene, the flesh has yellowish-orangy color. Beta-carotene is an antioxidant responsible for protecting the body from the damage of free radicals. Their high level of antioxidants also helps protect the skin from harmful UV rays. Part of their beta-carotene is converted by the body into vitamin A. Another way nectarines protect the skin is through their high lutein and vitamin C content. Vitamin C has the potential to provide the skin with a youthful appearance by promoting the synthesis of collagen.

READ Peaches: Promote Growth, Vision Health, Reproductive System and Boost Immunity

Benefits For Pregnant Women

Studies have shown that nectarines are amazing for pregnant women because of their rich folate content which helps in reducing the risk of neural tubal defects, and contributes to the overall health of the mother and the baby. Also, their abundance in potassium prevents muscle cramps, and keeps the energy levels up. Fiber keeps up digestion in order, and vitamin C content contributes to the development of the muscles and tissues in babies.

Health Benefits Of Peach

Peaches are amazing for our health. Chlorogenic acid makes peaches one of the healthiest fruits in the world in terms of antioxidants. Even though the flesh of the peach contains big amounts of this antioxidant, unfortunately a lot of it is located in the skin, and we often discard it due to its fuzzy feeling and appearance.

You can even rub its flesh onto your skin to prevent wrinkles, and get rid of the dark circles, but you'll also get this benefits by simply eating the peach. We already talked about the benefits of nectarines for skin earlier in the text, and as you can see they are very similar for both fruits.

Peach Juice

Peach juice is great for controlling weight and for fat-loss. Besides being low in calories and fat, it won't increase blood sugar levels or insulin levels because peach's sweetness comes from natural sugars. It's a good detoxification method because of its ability to clean the intestines and improve bowel movement. Individuals who consume peach juice are less prone to colds — both chronic and seasonal.

Child Development

Same as with nectarine, peach is amazing for growth and development of children. Being a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and proteins as well, it's good for brain development and musculoskeletal growth. Like nectarine, it also prevents tubal defects.

Better Cardiovascular Health

Peaches have bio-active compounds that help fight a combination of risk factors that cause inflammations, heart problems and obesity known as metabolic syndrome. Again, as for nectarines, antioxidants from peach can destroy free radicals known for starting chain reactions that damage or kill healthy cells within the body.

Better Skin

We already talked about how antioxidants in peaches keep the skin young and vibrant, but proteins can also contribute towards tissue repair. If you have a cut, or a wound, peaches are able to heal your skin faster. They boost the immune system, and thus ward off skin infections.

Better Vision

We already mentioned beta-carotene when we talked about nectarine benefits but in terms of helping the skin look good. Another great beta-carotene benefit is not the ability to improve eye-sight when it's already bad, but preventing the loss of it in the first place by keeping the retinas young. It also prevents night blindness and age-related eye degeneration.

Kidney Cleansing Properties

Potassium is good in reducing kidney-related ailments. It cleans the bladder, and allows the kidneys to maintain normal function. Eating peaches has been proven to prevent nephritis (kidney inflammation) and variety of other kidney diseases, including kidney stones.

READ Apricot: a Fruit with Heart and Eye Protection Benefits

Final Thoughts

Just like we thought, peaches and nectarines aren't that different after all. They contain almost all the same vitamins and minerals, antioxidants and fiber.