Benefits of Kumquats
The health benefits of kumquats include their ability to regulate digestion, help in skin, dental, eye, and hair care, and boost the immune system. They also reduce your chances of developing diabetes, lower your cholesterol levels, strengthen your bones, and improve nerve health.
What are Kumquats?
Kumquats are the fruits of a small tree in the Rutaceae family, with a scientific name Citrus japonica. These small citrus fruits resemble oranges to a certain degree, both inside and out, although they are smaller in size than most orange varieties.
These shrubs or small trees are native to the Asian-pacific region, where they have been grown and cultivated for thousands of years. They didn’t make it to Europe or the Americas until the 19th century but have spread extensively since then.
There are different types of kumquats, but the most common one is the round kumquat variety, which looks like a small orange. Due to the sweet flavor, they are used for garnishing, cocktails, jams, jellies, preservatives, candies, and desserts.
Various types of liquor and liqueur are made from kumquats. Brines and extracts of kumquats have been used for various medicinal purposes over the years for sore throats and respiratory issues. The various essential oils, organic compounds, and nutrients are what have led to such diverse applications of kumquats in traditional medicines throughout the world.
Nutritional Value of Kumquats
Kumquats are made up of a wide variety of essential oils, including limonene, alpha-pinene, monoterpenes, and many others. They also contain fiber, potassium, calcium, vitamin C, beneficial fats, and vitamin A.
Health Benefits of Kumquats
Kumquats have many amazing health benefits. Let us discuss them in detail below.
Build Strong Bones
The significant calcium content in kumquats helps to protect your bones over a long term. High calcium levels in your body increase the rate of healing and ensure that your bones stay healthy and strong well into the old age.
Dental Care
Kumquats are packed with some of the best nutrients like calcium, potassium, and vitamin C, which enhance the hair and teeth quality.
Control Diabetes
Apart from their beneficial effect on digestion, kumquats also play a role in preventing diabetes. Dietary fiber can help to optimize insulin and glucose balance in the body, thereby preventing people from developing this incurable disease.
Eye Care
Kumquats are a rich source of vitamin A and beta-carotene, which are closely connected to vision health. Beta-carotene works as an antioxidant to reduce oxidative stress in the macular cells, thereby limiting macular degeneration and reducing the development of cataracts.
Weight Loss
Kumquats are rich in fiber, water, and carbs, and are low in calories. Hence, are an ideal food for people trying to lose weight. They will fill you up and keep you healthy, which will reduce your urge to overeat.
Boost Energy
You wouldn’t expect kumquats to be so rich in carbohydrates, but they are! Carbohydrates are essential for replenishing our energy reserves in a simple way. Kumquats can provide that burst of energy in our diets, while also giving us all the other benefits too! The high level of riboflavin, a key vitamin involved in the production of energy, makes this process even easier.
Aid in Digestion
One of the major functions of kumquats is their role in regulating digestion. 8 kumquats are equivalent to 10 grams of fiber and eating a handful of kumquats isn’t a tough thing to do! This amount of fiber helps to keep your gastrointestinal tract moving and regulates your digestion. It can help to eliminate constipation, excess gas, bloating, and cramping and increase the efficiency of your nutrient uptake.
