The taste of persimmon is so unobtrusive and sweet that it is incredibly difficult to admit the thought of the high allergenic properties of this fruit. And yet it is so. Persimmons should be used with extreme caution by children under 10 years of age and the elderly, as they may experience disruptions at the immune level.
With the fact that all representatives of citrus fruits have a high degree of allergenicity, all mothers have long agreed and try not to give tangerines, oranges to babies under one year old, or they do it with extreme caution. So, they also taste more aggressive than other fruits. However, even knowing that all orange foods can cause allergies, I don't want to classify persimmons in this category. With its tender sweetness, this berry conquered both children and adults. Even in the Odyssey, persimmon was mentioned as a fruit that was so tasty that travelers who tasted it forgot about returning home. Still, persimmon is an allergen.
Manifestations of persimmon allergy
Allergy symptoms can vary depending on the amount of food eaten. If red spots appear on the body or swelling occurs, the person will immediately pay attention to this. However, when only tearing, a runny nose or a cough worries, everything is attributed to a common cold, and indigestion is not always a cause for concern. But allergy is dangerous because with the accumulation of substances that cause a negative reaction, the pathological condition is aggravated each time. As a result, Quincke's edema or the onset of anaphylactic shock is inevitable.
All these manifestations are characteristic of persimmon food allergy. In small quantities, it is very useful, because it is a source of valuable vitamins and minerals with a low calorie content. But it was this quality that contributed to the introduction of persimmons into the composition of many diets for weight loss, where 1-2 berries will not do. According to some nutritionists, persimmon should not be given to children under 10 years of age, since it is in childhood that persimmon allergy most often occurs. In adults, it happens less often, but it is accompanied by a severe course. Heat treatment makes the berry safer, but significantly reduces the vitamin content.
Causes of an allergic reaction to persimmon
An allergy sufferer usually experiences the negative effects of several allergens. The main value of persimmons is the abundance of carotenoids, which means that an allergy can manifest itself on all plants containing them. In a positive sense, carotenoids are natural stimulants of the immune system, because they perform the function of an antioxidant and serve as a catalyst in the process of division and multiplication of immune cells.
At the same time, carotenoids inhibit the synthesis of omega fatty acids, which leads to inhibition of the synthesis of prostaglandin E2. With a shortage of this substance, other cells, NK, producing interferon gamma, are activated, which, as a result, leads to the development of nonspecific immunity. This process occurs mainly in children and the elderly. In the first category, the immune system is not yet sufficiently developed, while in the second it is in the process of extinction.
An allergic reaction can manifest itself on persimmon and in adulthood to any of the micro- and macroelements, the composition of which in the fetus is quite diverse. Having no obvious aroma, persimmon, like any plant product, spreads volatile aromatic substances and contains complex protein compounds. Allergies can also be caused by chemicals left after washing the fruit on the surface. They are used everywhere today to ensure long-term storage.
