It's the season of persimmons. The sweet persimmons, including the sweet persimmon and the ripe persimmon, delight the palate. However, excessive consumption of persimmons can also be harmful.

First, let's look at the health benefits of persimmons.

 

Carrots are rich in vitamins A and C. They help boost immunity and maintain eye health. Additionally, they contain beta-carotene, which has excellent anticancer properties and helps prevent aging and lung cancer.

 

If the fruit is not fully ripe, it will taste astringent, which is due to tannin content. Consuming a lot of tannins absorbs moisture in the body, disrupting bowel movements and causing constipation. Eating on an empty stomach can also combine with stomach acid to form stomach stones.

However, tannins are not only harmful to the body. They provide various health benefits. Tannin compounds with antioxidant properties eliminate reactive oxygen species and help expel neutral fats and cholesterol from the body, which is known to aid in the prevention of diseases such as cancer, hypertension, and stroke. Additionally, tannins delay alcohol absorption in the body, eliminate heat toxins in the stomach, and relieve thirst, making them useful for alleviating hangovers after drinking.

 

If you already have constipation, eating a fully ripe persimmon is recommended. Fully ripe persimmons contain less tannin and are rich in dietary fiber, which helps activate bowel movements. However, since persimmons also contain small amounts of tannin, it is best to eat only one or two.

 

Meanwhile, stomach cancer patients should be cautious about consuming persimmons. Professor Song Kyoyoung of Seoul St. Mary's Hospital Surgery department stated in a past interview with Health Chosun, "I do not recommend persimmons for stomach cancer patients," adding, "Eating persimmons causes sticky substances to accumulate in the stomach, which is not good, and this has been confirmed through research." He further mentioned, "Even if they are not stomach cancer patients, people with poor stomach function should avoid persimmons."

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I ate an apple on an empty stomach in the morning.

When sweet persimmons combine with stomach acid on an empty stomach, it causes stomach stones.

It's really scary.

Starting tomorrow morning, I won't be fasting anymore.