The best part of summer is eating a juicy, fresh-picked peach while leaning over a picnic table or on your back porch, letting its sweet juice run down your chin and onto your forearms. But if you don't want to get your shirt stained, it's important to know how to eat a peach properly. This sweet stone fruit is not only delicious but also healthy, especially when paired with other foods or used as a topping on desserts, like peach pie or grilled salmon. It's a good idea to choose a peach with its skin on, as it's full of antioxidants and soluble fiber that helps keep your digestive tract running smoothly.
According to Real Simple, a ripe peach should feel slightly soft when pressed. It should also have a fragrant aroma. Avoid peaches that feel hard or dry, as they may be underripe. It's also a good idea to check for bruises, dark spots or greenish tinges on the skin. These are signs of rot or premature aging, and both can cause foodborne illness.
A peach is low in calories and a good source of vitamin C, potassium and fiber. It's also rich in antioxidants, which can protect against heart disease and lower your risk for cancer. But you might want to watch the amount of peaches you eat if you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), as it contains high amounts of sugar. In some cases, too much sugar can trigger an IBS attack by raising your blood pressure and stimulating diarrheal episodes.