Anything that tastes this good ought to be on a restricted list, but stone fruits are also insanely good for you. They are rich in vitamins A, C and E, dietary fibre, potassium and antioxidants – the real essentials of super nutrition.
Antioxidants in stone fruits help build a strong immune system and may reduce the effects of summer colds. They support the production of white blood cells, helping to fight fight infection.
Vitamin C is essential to your body’s production of collagen, which is absolutely essential to healthy, supple, youthful skin!
Potassium, found in abundance in stone fruits, promotes healthy nerves and muscles. Potassium deficiency causes fatigue, irritability and increased blood pressure, which is one reason why stone fruits are included in many sensible diets.
Nectarines, plums and peaches contain compounds that may help fight metabolic syndrome, where obesity and inflammation progress to diabetes and heart disease, recent research has found.
A rich supply of carotenoids gives apricots, peaches and nectarines their vibrant orange colour, and help strengthen eyesight, skin membranes and immune function. And, unlike most foods, the availability of carotenoids in apricots, peaches and nectarines actually increases when they are cooked, making classic dishes like poached peaches and baked apricots a sweet health bonus.
Stone fruits are fibre rich and so much more enjoyable than bran flakes! Fibre aids digestion and has been shown to help with diabetes, cholesterol and weight management.
Vitamin K in stone fruits plays a vital role in maintaining healthy bones and teeth, reducing tooth decay and conditions like osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.