Kumquat: description of the fruit, the benefits and harm
Kumquat for many remains an unknown fruit. This plant belongs to the family Rutaceae.This fruit was imported to Europe from China. The name of this exotic fruit is translated as “golden orange”. Some people who have tried kumquat do believe that this is just a small citrus. It has healing properties, but also has contraindications.
What it is?
The plant has triangular shoots. Some plants have thorns, others do not. Kumquat leaves have a length of about 5 cm and a width of about 2.5 cm. The flowers of this plant are axillary, white. The fruits of this plant are used for culinary purposes. They are round in shape, about 3 cm in diameter. On the cut, the flesh of this exotic fruit is colored in golden yellow. The fruits of this plant resemble plums in size, but at the same time have a rich taste. The unique and aroma of kumquat.
Kumquats are currently grown not only in Asian countries. This plant grows in many countries. In large quantities, this plant is grown on the Greek islands, including Fr. Corfu. Kumquat also grows in the USA.
Interestingly, the fruits of this plant are suitable not only for the preparation of various desserts and snacks. For example, tinctures and various liqueurs can be made from small fragrant fruits. Fruits are also used to make unique culinary masterpieces.
Characteristics and composition
The fruits of this exotic plant contain many active ingredients. In the fruit are present:
- water;
- mineral compounds: copper, iron, calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus;
- B vitamins;
- vitamin C;
- tocopherol;
- vitamin K.
In the yellow fragrant fruit a lot of food nutrients. Thus, 100 grams of these exotic berries in their raw form contain 1.89 g of proteins, 0.85 g of fats, 15.8 g of carbohydrates. Calorie is 70 kcal. If you eat the fruits in small quantities, then worry about the appearance of extra centimeters on the body is not necessary.
Fragrant fruits are great for drying. Dried fruits made from kumquat have a unique unique taste. Interestingly, these delicacies can have a different color. So, they can be green, red, yellow or orange. Natural dried fruits have a yellowish or orange color. Moreover, their color is rather pale. Many manufacturers of this delicacy in order to make their products more interesting for the consumer, tint dried fruits with special dyes. The use of such dried fruits can trigger the development of symptoms of food allergies.
Quality dried fruits have no signs of damage. Defining them is quite simple. Fruits before buying need to carefully inspect. They should not be white spots and any divorce. Such marks are more likely to indicate that the dried fruits were treated with chemicals for better storage. These substances, if ingested, can cause unpleasant symptoms.
Beneficial features
Kumquat contains many substances beneficial to the body. Vitamin and mineral complex helps to strengthen the immune system. Kumquats should be consumed by people who often suffer from colds or chronic infections. The benefits of fresh fruit for the body is much higher. Fruits can remain dangerous microbes, so they should be thoroughly washed before consumption.
Vitamins of group B contained in this exotic fruit have a positive effect on the nervous system. To use these “sunny” fruits is recommended for people suffering from depression. It is possible to include kumquats in your diet in the fall, when many people experience chronic fatigue and physical weakness. The use of these fragrant fruits helps to improve the condition without the use of drugs.
Kumquats are good for people who have had serious illnesses. The minerals contained in them help to quickly restore the strength spent on the fight against infection. In Chinese medicine, these fragrant fruits are also used to treat hangover syndrome. Residents of eastern countries note that using kumquat the day after the feast helps to cope with negative consequences.
The Chinese believe that kumquat has many healing properties. So, the skin of the fruit of this plant is used by the inhabitants of the Celestial Empire for the treatment of rhinitis and throat diseases. Chinese medicine experts note that it contains essential oils that help reduce inflammation in the nasal passages and help restore breathing.
Fresh kumquats are a great treat. Fruit is included in the diet menu. This fruit contains few calories. For weight loss should be consumed 3-4 small kumquat per day. It is better to choose fresh fruits, not candied fruits. Fresh kumquats also contain substances that contribute to the normalization of the bowels. Eating such fruits has a laxative effect. These fruits are recommended to include in your diet for people suffering from constipation.
These fragrant fruits contain unique ingredients, such as furakumarin. This substance has a detrimental effect on a number of pathogenic fungi. Thus, people who regularly consume these fragrant fruits, reduce the risk of infection with a fungal infection.
The kumquat also contains components that have a beneficial effect on the blood vessels. They strengthen the walls of the arteries, making them more elastic. In these fragrant fruits there are substances that prevent the appearance of blood clots in the vessels. The use of kumquat helps to reduce the risk of developing vascular diseases of the brain (stroke, aneurysm).
Kumquats should definitely be included in your diet for people who live in cities where environmental conditions are unfavorable. Residents of such cities have a high risk of forming various pathologies caused by the accumulation of radionuclides in the body. Kumquats contain mineral components and plant extracts that help eliminate toxic products from the body.
People use fresh kumquats also because these fruits help protect against the development of tumor neoplasms. These fruits contain substances that can prevent the appearance of malignant cells in the human body. To reduce the risk of developing such dangerous pathologies, eating kumquats should be taken regularly.
Use this fragrant fruit is recommended for people suffering from periodontal disease. In the juicy kumquat there are plant substances and essential oils that have a beneficial effect on the blood vessels of the gums. Improving blood flow contributes to the fact that the development of periodontal disease slows down. To improve the condition of the mucous membrane, there are kumquats followed by the peel.
Kumquats are also useful for people suffering from heart disease. These fruits contain many minerals that strengthen the heart muscle. For example, they contain magnesium - a mineral compound that supports the work of the myocardium. People suffering from various heart rhythm disorders, cardiologists recommend eating a sufficient amount of fruits and vegetables that are rich in these minerals.
These fruits also contain substances that can reduce inflammation. The inflammatory process occurs in the human body with many viral and bacterial infections. The use of fresh kumquats and drinks prepared from them, improves well-being, stops the development of inflammation.
Future mothers can enjoy fragrant kumquats too. However, caution should be exercised during pregnancy. These exotic fruits contain many active ingredients that can affect the course of pregnancy.That is why pregnant women can use such fragrant fruits only after consulting a doctor.
Kumquats can be included in the diet of the elderly. The substances contained in them reduce the symptoms of atherosclerosis - a disease that can lead to the development of a whole bunch of pathologies. Even a small single portion of these fragrant fruits significantly improves the patient's condition. These small fruits contain components that slow down the development of diseases of the retina and vascular pathologies of the fundus.
Kumquats are also useful for children. The minerals contained in them contribute to the improvement of the brain. Children are not only actively engaged in school, but also attend many different sections and circles. Such an intense load on the developing children's body can lead to the fact that the child simply does not have enough physical strength to cope with it.
In order for the body to be more durable, fruit rich in minerals and plant components must be present in the diet.
Pediatric doctors recommend kumquats to be included in the child’s diet only if he does not have contraindications to their use. At first it is better to offer the baby only half of the kumquat. After this, it is necessary to evaluate the well-being of the child. If he doesn’t have a skin rash, abdominal pain or any other uncomfortable symptoms after such a “acquaintance”, the amount of exotic fruits in his diet can be gradually increased.
Children's doctors do not recommend that the parents of infants be in a hurry with the introduction of these exotic fruits into the diet. Kumquat use can lead to unpleasant symptoms. To include exotic fruits in the kids menu is possible only after prior consultation with the pediatrician.
Chinese health specialists recommend eating not only fresh, but also dried kumquats. This delicacy can be purchased at the supermarket or cook yourself. Dried kumquats have a special, rich taste with bright citrus notes. Also as a dessert, you can use candied fruits, which are prepared from these fragrant fruits with added sugar.
Dried fruit - an excellent treat for tea. Dried kumquats are very sweet. It is impossible to consume such fruits in large quantities for people suffering from type 2 diabetes. This can cause an increase in blood sugar levels, which can lead to severe complications.
Contraindications and harm
Kumquats are very beneficial to the human body. However, these exotic fruits can hurt him. These sweet, fragrant fruits are rich in components that affect the functioning of the internal organs. In some people, the plant matter in these fruits can lead to the development of alarming symptoms.
These exotic fruits often provoke the development of allergies. Food allergy is a pathology that can be encountered at any age. If, after eating fragrant fruits, a rash or multiple reddening spots suddenly appeared on the skin, this may indicate an allergic pathology. You can determine it only by contacting a specialist.
If you are allergic to kumquats, you should eliminate them from the diet. The use of even a small portion of these fruits can provoke dangerous clinical manifestations in humans.
If a person has “acute” abdominal pain, vomiting, or fever after eating these exotic fruits, he should immediately seek medical help. If individual intolerance is detected, then the fruit will be taboo until the end of life.
Dried kumquats and candied fruits should not be used with persistent hyperglycemia. They contain too much sugar. He, getting into the blood, leads to a rapid increase in blood glucose levels.Eating this sweet dessert in diabetes is prohibited. With a strong desire to eat kumquats for people suffering from this disease, it is better to choose fresh fruit.
When eating exotic fruits, their amount should be controlled. Vegetable components contained in them, getting into the body in a large volume, can provoke food disorders. So, after consuming a generous portion of these exotic fruits, loose stools may appear. If you eat no more than 2 fruits per day, then the appearance of unpleasant symptoms can be avoided.
Kumquats are exotic fruits. They should not be introduced into the diet of a woman who is breastfeeding her baby. Vegetable components and biologically active substances can get into the children's body through breast milk and provoke the development of alarming symptoms in the baby. For example, a child may develop food allergies, as well as abdominal cramps or bloating.
It is better to postpone the use of kumquats for lactating mothers until the time when breastfeeding is completed.
Usage features
You can decorate a festive cake with fragrant dried fruits, use them entirely or in the form of fruit slices. Kumquat candied fruits can be consumed with cottage cheese. These sweet dried fruits are used to decorate various fruit and berry cakes.
Many people who use kumquats are wondering if they should be peeled before use. This is better not to do. Not only the juicy pulp, but also the skin of fruits is rich in plant substances that contribute to the improvement of the body. Kumquats are used to make folk remedies. For example, adding honey to them helps to obtain a herbal remedy that helps to cope with the uncomfortable symptoms of respiratory infections.
The fact that the exotic fruit kumquat, see the following video.