Amazing Kumquat Health Benefits

January 16, 2024

The kumquat is a fruit that looks similar to an orange but actually has a bit more of an oval shape. It's grown in China, Europe, the Middle East, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and the southern parts of the United States among a few other areas. Kumquats can be eaten with salads, on their own, or even made into jellies and candies. Because of the vitamins and nutrients found within the kumquat, the fruit has been heralded as one of the key fruits to consume to improve overall health.

Manages Diabetes

One of the remarkable things about kumquats is they're in season within the winter months of November and March. For individuals who have diabetes, it can sometimes be difficult to find fresh fruit and vegetables that can help keep their blood sugar lowered. These fruits manage diabetes in the months where patients just don't have a lot of other options. They contain a low sugar content and only around sixty-three calories. Perhaps most powerful, however, is the kumquat is packed full of fiber, which is something diabetes patients particularly need.

The fruit also contains a marvelous low sodium count and only has .1 grams of fat. With all of these wonderful numbers, diabetes patients should definitely include the kumquat in their diets. They can be easily eaten on their own as a snack or be included in a salad to fill a diabetes patient up while providing them with lasting nutrition. It doesn't hurt that, when in season, kumquats are also affordable.

Aids Digestion

No matter what an individual's age, they've likely experienced indigestion and constipation at least once. As individuals get older, however, it seems as though they are more prone to indigestion. One method to put an end to indigestion is to eat more fiber. Typically found in fruits and vegetables, fiber is a powerful force that aids in digestion. Many elderly adults, in fact, don't receive enough fiber in their diets even though they're usually the ones who could benefit the most from it.

Kumquats aid digestion because the powerful fruit is packed full of fiber. In fact, by just eating eight kumquats, individuals can easily receive ten grams of fiber. For men, the typical amount of fiber they need in a day is thirty to thirty-eight grams. For women, it's twenty to twenty-eight grams. By eating a few kumquats, individuals can easily reach a third or half of their recommended fiber levels. The rest can be met through other meals. By eating kumquats, individuals can improve their digestion by taking in lots of fiber.

Boosts Immune System

One method to help the immune system is to take in a good quantity of vitamin C. Many individuals think oranges or orange juice should do the trick, but they should also consider the powerful kumquat. This fruit boosts the immune system because of its rich-quality content of vitamin C. In fact, one kumquat usually contains around 8.3 milligrams of vitamin C. The standard amount an adult should consume a day is sixty-five to ninety milligrams. Although taking in more vitamin C isn't too terrible, individuals taking supplements may notice side effects from taking too much at once. This is why kumquats are an excellent source of vitamin C, as they're natural and it is much harder to overconsume vitamin C from them than supplements.

Protect Skin From Free Radicals

Since kumquats are in season during the winter, they can play an incredible role in protecting the skin from free radicals. In the winter, skin needs quite a bit of help to withstand the frigid and dry air. As mentioned before, kumquats contain vitamin C, which plays a vital role in collagen synthesis. Collagen is what makes new skin. These new skin cells are formed and can keep skin looking fresh, young, and healthy.

In fact, individuals who undergo surgery or have an injury, eating kumquats may be able to improve recovery time since it can promote those new skin cells to grow quickly and heal the area. In addition, vitamin C and vitamin A, which kumquats also possess, can help keep free radicals from moving through the body and negatively impacting skin. Since kumquats also contain carotene, which can be turned into vitamin A as well, the nutrient can assist in the production of new skin cells.

Improves Vision Health

Protecting their vision is one of the best things individuals can do for their body. Many individuals take for granted the ability to see and see well. As we age, our vision also typically tends to degrade. There may come a time where individuals can no longer enjoy certain hobbies because they can no longer see clearly what they're doing.

Individuals should consume kumquats to protect their eyes, as the fruit improves vision health because of its rich vitamin A content. This vitamin is especially beneficial for vision health, and it can also improve the health of the immune system, skin, mucous membranes, and may reduce the development of cataracts within the eye. Macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss, and vitamin A consumption can reduce the risk of developing the condition. By eating kumquats, individuals can fill their body with the necessary vitamin A to fight off vision loss and keep their body strong.

MORE FROM HealthPrep