Peach (Prunus persica) is one of the most widespread fruits in the world with a harvest of 25 million tons in 2016. 

It has a short reproductive cycle, has about 200 cultivars and belongs to the Rosaceae family.

The best known cultivars:

• Common peach (Prunus persica) yellow
• Common peach (Prunus persica) white
• Nectarine yellow (Prunus persica var. nucipersica)
• Nectarine white(Prunus persica var. nucipersica)

In the composition of the peach there are phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, phytoestrogens and flavonoids.

Phenolic compounds include: chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, catechin.

The most interesting part, from a health point of view, is the kernel.

Colon cancer is one of the most common diseases in the world and is directly dependent on an incorrect diet that includes a high content of saturated fat, low intake of dietary fiber, alcohol. The kernel of the peach, like that of the apricot, is composed of glycosides such as amygdalin, oleic acid and linoleic acid as well as a good content of flavonoids. This study by two researchers of the University of Cape Town demonstrated the potential anti-tumor activity of bean kernel extract on cancer cells of the colon (1).

An alcoholic extract of peach kernel showed anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive and antipyretic activity (2).

Amygdalin, a cyanogenic glycoside contained in the kernel of apricot, but also in that of almond and peach, has been accredited by scientific literature as having suppressive effects on the development of colon cancer. The daily intake of kernels, based on a controlled form of intake, can be considered a chemopreventive agent (3).

Warning: the word "controlled" is underlined because amygdalin contains cyanide, a powerful and lethal poison. This study presents the case of a 3-year-old child with severe intoxication due to ingestion of 3 mango kernels (4). Do-it-yourself treatment is therefore not recommended.

Peach studies

References___________________________________________

(1) The anti-proliferative effect of apricot and peach kernel extracts on human colon cancer cells in vitro.  Cassiem W, de Kock M.  BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019 Jan 29;19(1):32. doi: 10.1186/s12906-019-2437-4.

(2) Evaluation of Anti-inflammatory, Antinociceptive, and Antipyretic Activities of Prunus persica var. nucipersica (Nectarine) Kernel.  Elshamy AI, Abdallah HMI, El Gendy AEG, El-Kashak W, Muscatello B, De Leo M, Pistelli L.  Planta Med. 2019 Aug;85(11-12):1016-1023. doi: 10.1055/a-0955-5876.

(3) The anti-proliferative effect of apricot and peach kernel extracts on human colon cancer cells in vitro.  Cassiem W, de Kock M.  BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019 Jan 29;19(1):32. doi: 10.1186/s12906-019-2437-4.

(4) Role of Hemodialysis in the Management of Cyanide Intoxication From Apricot Kernels in a 3-Year-Old Child.  Dalkiran T, Kandur Y, Ozaslan M, Acipayam C, Olgar S.  Pediatr Emerg Care. 2018 Nov 5. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000001644.