Review Article
Year: 2020 | Month: March | Volume: 10 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 129-133
Persimmon (Diospyros kaki): Apple of the Orient: A Review
Jyoti Pachisia
Consultant Dietician, Genesis Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
ABSTRACT
Fruits and vegetables are important component of human diet and play important role in maintain the human health. The health promoting potentials associated with their consumption are mainly due to presence of bioactive components and these phytochemicals are distinct bioactive molecules widely acknowledged for their beneficial roles in human physiology. Number of plants gained popularity as wholesome food entities but still many horizons demand researchers’ attention. Amongst, persimmon (Diospyros kaki) is one of these nutritious fruits bestowed with strong antioxidant activity. The bioactive components present in it especially carotenoids and tannin are helpful in quenching free radicals, decreasing cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure & cholesterol) and reducing the risk of diabetes mellitus along with effectiveness against cancer insurgence. These bioactive components plays an important role in reducing arterial stiffness and prevent oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) thus resulting in the prevention of atherosclerotic plaque formation. Many phytochemicals also possess anti-mutagenic effects and regulate and trigger the immune system thus resulting in the normal functioning of metabolism. The antioxidant potential of persimmon can be exploited to cure various maladies including degenerative disorders, cancer, and improving the skin tone. Persimmon is high in vitamin A and a moderate source of ascorbic acid, calcium and potassium.
Key words: persimmon, carotenoids, antioxidants, phytochemicals, health, cancer, diet