Content
Kumquat is a fruit with an unusual appearance and many useful properties. Since it is still exotic in stores, it is interesting how to study the features of kumquat and understand what effect it has on the body.
What is this exotic fruit kumquat
The kumquat plant belongs to the Root family and belongs to the genus Fortunella, which is closely related to citrus fruits. Externally, the plant is an evergreen shrub that can reach 4 m in height. The leaves of the kumquat are green, smooth and oblong, the crown is usually spherical and small.
The kumquat blooms late, from July to August, and produces pink and white fragrant flowers. On the branches of the tree, they remain for only about a week, however, the peculiarity of the kumquat can be considered that the plant is capable of re-flowering after 2-3 weeks.
The exotic kumquat is best known for its fruits, which ripen in December or January. The fruits of the plant are very interesting, they are covered with a yellow or orange dense skin, reach a diameter of only 2-4 cm and can be either rounded or oblong. Inside the fruit of the kumquat, there is a juicy and sweet pulp, divided into several narrow lobules with few small seeds.
What fruit does the kumquat look like the most?
Externally, the exotic fruit kumquat is similar to an orange, it has similar outlines, skin structure and color. However, the size of the kumquat is closer to the plum. As for the composition, the fruit is closest to tangerine and is very similar in taste, only the sourness in kumquat is more pronounced.
What is the difference between kumquat red, orange and green
As the exotic kumquat gradually gains popularity, several varieties of this plant are currently cultivated. The color of the fruit also depends on the variety; you can find orange, red and even green fruits on sale.
- Orange is the most natural color for kumquats. Ripe fruits of most varieties have this color, and the internal differences between them are mainly in the shades of taste and in the size of the fruits.
- Kumquat is red, for example, the skin of the "Hong Kong" variety has such a shade. However, the rich red fruits of this variety are inedible, and only fruits with a red-orange peel can be eaten.
- Kumquat can be green, for example Limequat, which is a hybrid of kumquat and lime. This fruit is slightly bitter in taste, and lime notes are clearly distinguished in its aroma.
Where does the kumquat grow?
Kumquat grows wild in the southern regions of China. As for artificial cultivation, the plant is cultivated in Japan and China, in Southeast Asia and southern regions of Europe, in the Middle East and in the southern United States. Kumquats are also bred in Russia - in the Crimea, in the Caucasus near the Black Sea, in Abkhazia.
Kumquat is quite sensitive to growing conditions, it requires a hot and humid climate with an abundance of sunlight. In cold and arid regions, the fruit does not feel well, therefore artificial breeding is associated with some difficulties.
Composition and calorie content of kumquat
The value of a fruit lies not only in its original appearance and pleasant taste. Kumquat has health benefits as it has a rich and varied composition. The pulp of the fruit contains:
- vitamins B1, B3 and B2;
- vitamin A;
- vitamin C;
- phytosterols and flavonoids;
- antioxidants;
- fatty acid;
- essential substances pinene, monoterpene and limonene;
- iron and calcium;
- manganese, magnesium and potassium.
The calorie content of the Fortunella fruit is quite low - only about 71 kcal is present in 100 g of pulp.
How kumquat is useful for the body
When consumed regularly, fresh and ripe kumquat can have a beneficial effect on human health. In particular, the benefit is that the fruit:
- increases the protective functions of the body and prevents the development of viral and infectious diseases;
- strengthens blood vessels and increases their elasticity, and also lowers harmful cholesterol;
- serves as the prevention of atherosclerosis and supports the healthy functioning of the heart and brain;
- positively affects the condition of the skin, promotes its rejuvenation, nourishes and moisturizes the epidermis;
- well reflected on the condition of hair and nails;
- benefits with weight loss and helps to speed up the elimination of excess fat;
- has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, therefore it is of great benefit for depression, insomnia and increased anxiety;
- improves the condition in case of joint and headaches, helps to relieve inflammation and reduce edema;
- strengthens vision and relieves eye fatigue, therefore it is especially useful for people who have to spend a lot of time at the computer screen.
Due to its positive effect on blood vessels, kumquat is very useful for pressure, it is especially appreciated by hypertensive patients. It helps lower blood pressure and helps maintain it at normal levels.
Fresh kumquat contains quite little sugar and does not lead to sharp increases in glucose levels - the glycemic index of kumquat is 35 units. Therefore, you can use it for this disease. There will be benefits from this, the fruit will speed up metabolism, prevent the development of obesity and have a beneficial effect on blood vessels. However, in type 2 diabetes mellitus, kumquat should be eaten with caution and in small quantities, no more than 100 g per dose and no more than twice a week.
Kumquat for pregnant women is not only allowed, but also necessary. The benefit lies in the fact that the exotic fruit helps to get rid of puffiness and constipation, and also relieves the painful symptoms of toxicosis. It can only damage if a woman is allergic to citrus fruits or an exacerbation of chronic gastric diseases. Also, do not abuse kumquat, the fruit can lead to an increase in the tone of the uterus.
But the benefits of kumquat for menstruation are ambiguous. On the one hand, it replenishes the deficiency of valuable substances in a woman's body and raises hemoglobin, and also has a tonic effect. But on the other hand, kumquat, like any citrus, stimulates additional uterine contractions, and with painful periods, this can only increase discomfort.
Can kumquat provoke cystitis?
In small quantities, citrofortunella kumquat cannot cause the development of inflammatory processes in the urinary tract. However, with excessive use, the occurrence of cystitis is indeed possible.
- Since kumquat is a citrus fruit, it contains a large amount of organic acids. In excess, they irritate the mucous membranes not only of the stomach, but also of the intestines and bladder.This can provoke the onset of the inflammatory process and lead to cystitis.
- The acids in the fruit affect the level of urine acidity, the more the pH balance shifts, the more favorable conditions are created for the growth of bacteria. Thus, a small infection while consuming kumquat can turn into an acute and unpleasant illness.
To avoid problems with the bladder, you need to eat tropical fruit in limited quantities. If there is already inflammation in the urogenital area, then it is worth temporarily abandoning the kumquat at all until the condition returns to normal.
Fresh kumquat: how it is eaten, with or without skin
The small citrus fruits of the kumquat are unique in that they are eaten with the peel. If desired, it can be removed, but the skin of the kumquat has a pleasant sweetish taste, contains a large amount of valuable vitamins, so the fruit is even more beneficial with the skin.
Due to the small size of the kumquat, you can eat it by first cutting it into slices or simply biting it as a whole. In this case, the seeds of the fruit should be spat out, they have an unpleasant bitter taste and are not particularly beneficial.
Most often, kumquat is consumed alone as a refreshing fruit dessert. But also fruit pieces can be added to cottage cheese and yoghurts, to cereals and muesli, to pies and fruit desserts. Kumquat will be appropriate in fruit salad, it is combined with meat and fish, as well as sauces and homemade sweets are prepared based on it.
Is it possible to eat kumquat on a diet
The calorie content of a tropical fruit is very low, so the beneficial properties of kumquat are well manifested when losing weight. When included in the diet, the fruit helps to speed up the digestive processes and remove toxins from the body, as a result, parting with extra pounds is faster.
Of course, you need to consume small amounts of kumquat on your diet to get the benefits. In conditions of a limited diet, it can have a strong irritant effect on the stomach and intestines. It is not recommended to eat the fruit on an empty stomach - it is better to eat it after the main meal.
How much can you eat per day
The benefits and harms of kumquat for the body are determined by the dosage of the tropical fruit. You can eat small citrus fruits every day, but for adults, the daily intake should not exceed 8-10 small fruits. In case of an overdose of the fruit, organic acids in its composition can damage the stomach, in addition, an excess of vitamin C is dangerous for the body, it can manifest itself with such side effects as nausea, diarrhea and an allergic rash.
It is recommended to offer children kumquat no earlier than after 3 years and provided that there is no allergy to citrus fruits. You need to start with just half a tropical fruit per day, gradually the amount of kumquat can be increased and by the age of 5, bring the daily rate to 4 fruits per day. It is worth adding kumquat to the diet no more than three times a week - then it will be beneficial.
Limitations and contraindications
For all its high benefits, an exotic fruit can harm the body in the presence of certain diseases. Contraindications for kumquat are:
- allergy to citrus fruits - eating the fruit can lead to swelling and rash, nausea, diarrhea and headache;
- stomach ulcer and pancreatitis - with an exacerbation of these ailments, kumquat will have a strong irritating effect on the mucous membranes, therefore, it must be excluded from the diet until remission occurs;
- gastritis with high acidity - citrus fruit can lead to heartburn, and in the worst case, it will provoke an exacerbation of the disease or cause an ulcer;
- cystitis, since the use of kumquat strongly affects the level of acidity of urine, it is better not to use tropical fruit with inflammation in the urinary tract;
- breastfeeding - babies are often allergic to citrus fruits, therefore, kumquat fruits should be introduced into the mother's diet no earlier than six months after childbirth.
It is necessary to eat fruit with caution in case of diabetes mellitus - kumquat can be beneficial, but only under the condition of limited use.
Conclusion
Kumquat is a fruit with numerous health benefits and a very pleasant refreshing taste. When using it, it is recommended to adhere to small dosages so as not to harm the stomach and intestines. But if you approach the use of the fruit correctly, then the kumquat will only help improve your well-being.
