From the citrus family comes a fruit unknown to most of the population called kumquat, and if you got here, it is because you surely know it, so we won’t explain that any further. But what we are going to do today is talk about the benefits or possible benefits of this fruit.
You can get more information about this fruit in our Kumquat article by clicking the link.
We should note that the benefits have been studied in vitro trials and animals with different results; many of them have never been tested on humans.
No matter how good can be the kumquats, if you eat more than you should, instead of advantages, you’ll see disadvantages (see kumquat side effects).
1. Promotes intestinal transit
The intestinal transit is a cause of stress and discomfort for the person who suffers it. It has common symptoms such as inflammation and abdominal pain, constipation, intense colic, gas, stomach patches, and bad breath. It also produces nausea, vomiting, and poor digestion.
For the luck of those people, kumquat has a high content of dietary fiber, which causes the feces to increase in size and weight, in addition to softening them, which results in a better evacuation process since a bulkier fecal mass is easier to discard. [1]
Kumquats are one of the best sources of fiber that help the digestive process. Not only this, but it can efficiently cleanse the small intestine and colon; doing so helps prevent stool arrest, colitis, and constipation.
2. Strengthens the immune system
In folk medicine in some Asian countries, kumquat has been used to treat colds, flu coughs, bronchitis, and other airway inflammations. Modern science shows that certain compounds in kumquat support that it strengthens and stimulates the immune system.
Kumquats contain a great source of vitamin C which comes mainly from their shell, which acts as a weapon and supports the immune system. Vitamin C and plant compounds in kumquats help boost the immune system to fight infection. [2]
hey also protect the immune system from the harmful effects of free radicals; Vitamin C from kumquat is a great helping agent for white blood cells to develop and attack directly at the origin of the infection.
Some studies with mice fed with kumquat extracts have shown a very positive result helping to activate or awaken immune cells such as natural killer cells (NK cells), with the consumption of raw kumquat (without cooking). [3]
These cells defend the immune system and the body from multiple infections, bacteria, and viruses. When natural killer cells are activated, they release substances that form as pores in the cell membrane and eliminate harmful cells or altered cells.
One of the compounds in kumquat called beta-cryptoxanthin, belonging to the carotenoid family, helps stimulate natural killer cells.
Thanks to the fact that it is the only citrus with an edible peel, it has a more significant amount of flavonoids (natural pigments found in fruits and plants, which serve as anti-inflammatories and improve the functioning of blood vessels).
It also helps produce red blood cells and white blood cells due to their folic acid content. Therefore, this fruit is highly recommended for women in pregnancy. [2]
3. Helps improve vision
There is a link between Vitamin A and beta-carotene maintaining eye health. Beta-carotene plays a vital role in reducing oxidative stress in the macula, thus avoiding macular degeneration and cataracts, which are the leading causes of vision loss. [4]
Kumquats contain about eleven types of carotenoids (organic compounds that function as antioxidants). Among them, we find zeaxanthin and lutein that, like beta-carotene, act as effective antioxidants that neutralize light-induced free radicals, which degenerate the photosensitive cells of the eyes. [5]
4. Protect and care for your skin
There is nothing better than consuming a product or fruit that generates satisfaction and improves your skin condition. That’s the case of kumquat, which contributes to protecting cells against oxidative damage. It also participates in the formation of collagen for the skin, which contributes to the maintenance of joints and bone mass.
A study conducted with mice showed that kumquat has a compound called limonene, found in the fruit’s oil, which helps, facilitates, and accelerates the healing process of wounds on the skin. [6] [7]
So potentially, there may be a possibility that these compounds act in the same way on human skin. However, there is not enough tangible evidence of this.
The main flavonoid of the kumquat comes from phloretin, an antioxidant with high value in skincare products. Likewise, studies with kumquat essential oils and other citrus fruits containing limonene have shown possible results against inflammatory and oxidative skin disorders. [7]
5. May lower cholesterol
When low-density lipoproteins, better known as LDL, are damaged by free radicals, an inflammatory response is triggered that causes cholesterol to build up inside the arteries.
Citrus fruits could help foresee this, as they can carry out the release of antioxidant compounds such as vitamin C and flavonoids.
As we have previously mentioned, kumquat has a significant advantage. It provides many additional flavonoids because this peel is 100% edible, and here we find more from these antioxidants.
In addition, kumquat contains soluble fibers that can absorb water, thus forming a paste or thick mass which prevents the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine. [8]
6. Reduces and helps control body weight
In strict slimming diets, kumquat is a great ally. Thanks to poncirin (flavonoid), the fat cells that cause increased body weight do not mature since this substance of kumquat prevents it. Also, its high fiber content helps reduce the consumption of some foods that contribute to weight gain because the fruit is highly satiating, as we will discuss later.
In addition, kumquat activates PPAR (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors), increasing fat burning in the body. [8]
7. It is a natural energizer
Kumquat is a fruit with a high energy value since it has riboflavin or vitamin B2, which supports the metabolic system to process carbohydrates, fats, and protein, generating an instant increase in energy in the body.
In other words, the B-group substances or vitamins provided by kumquat help the body metabolize and break down nutrients from various foods to convert them into fuel for the human body, giving it enough energy. [3]
8. Provides a feeling of satiety
80% of the kumquat is water, which means that it is a highly hydrating fruit, and its valuable fiber and water content rank it among the most satiating citrus fruits. The size of the fruit is tiny compared to other citrus fruits and is also consumed with its peel, so it requires enough chewing and also takes time to digest, so it gives the body a healthy satiety. [9]
9. Helps prevent scurvy
Scurvy is a condition caused by exaggeratedly low levels of vitamin C in the body. The deficit of ascorbic acid in the daily consumption diet causes a decrease in the synthesis of hydroxyproline because prolyl hydroxylase requires ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Hydroxyproline provides additional atoms capable of forming hydrogen bonds that stabilize the collagen triple helix. [2]
Vitamin C deficiency is mainly associated with a decrease in procollagen synthesis and with a reduced hydroxylation of proline and lysine residues, obtaining a molecule less stable at body temperature.
This deficiency causes scurvy, leading to a defective synthesis of collagen affecting the connective tissues and, in consequence, the development of a series of symptoms such as bleeding gums, loss of teeth, discoloration, and lack of healing of skin wounds. [10]
The consumption of kumquat should prevent this type of disease since the main vitamin detected in kumquats is vitamin C, which is essential for synthesizing collagen in the body.
The kumquat, without a doubt, is an extraordinary fruit; if you want to continue reading more content about it and many other foods, we invite you to surf our website, where you can find everything related to kumquats and any other exotic fruits.
[1] https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3900/70/1/105
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5707683/
[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25849817/
[4] https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-HealthProfessional/
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6560404/
[6] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24160248/
[7] https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Miguel-Ramos-Lopez/publication/276412134_Anti-inflammatory_Activity_of_Some_Essential_Oils/links/555a554408ae6fd2d828215c/Anti-inflammatory-Activity-of-Some-Essential-Oils.pdf
[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3976270/
[9] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27578252/
[10] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155758#symptoms