May Benefit Heart Health

Heart disease is the largest cause of mortality in the world, affecting the lives of millions of people. Most types of heart disease, however, may be avoided by eliminating risk factors such as a poor diet. Persimmons are a good choice for improving heart health due to their potent mix of nutrients. Flavonoid antioxidants found in persimmons include quercetin and kaempferol. A flavonoid-rich diet has been associated with a lower risk of heart disease in various studies.

A study of nearly 98,000 adults indicated that those who consumed the most flavonoids had 18% fewer fatalities from heart-related illnesses than those who consumed the least. Flavonoid-rich diets can benefit heart health by lowering blood pressure, lowering "bad" LDL cholesterol, and decreasing inflammation. Furthermore, the tannins that give unripe persimmons their bitter taste may reduce blood pressure. Tannic acid and gallic acid, both contained in persimmons, have been demonstrated in several animal tests to be beneficial at decreasing high blood pressure, a key risk factor for heart disease.