What harm can persimmon do: who should absolutely not eat it

Persimmon is a popular autumn fruit known for its sweet taste and rich set of vitamins and minerals. However, if consumed improperly or excessively, persimmons can be dangerous to health. This fruit contains a large amount of tannins, which can cause digestive problems and slow down the absorption of nutrients. Who is absolutely forbidden persimmon — Izvestia figured it out.

When does the persimmon season start in 2025

The persimmon season in Russia traditionally starts in late summer and continues in autumn. The fruits appear on the shelves from September and remain available until December, depending on the region and suppliers. In 2025, the delivery dates will vary: early varieties and imports from warmer countries begin to arrive as early as September, with a massive peak in supply occurring in October and early November, after which volumes gradually decrease. The persimmon variety, climatic conditions of the growing regions and import logistics affect the delivery time.

Imported persimmons from Azerbaijan, Turkey and the Mediterranean countries appear in stores earlier than domestic ones, but Russian farms and gardens also begin active deliveries in early and mid-autumn. At the same time, weather anomalies (early frosts or prolonged heat) can delay harvesting, and therefore the appearance of certain varieties on sale.

How to choose a ripe and delicious persimmon

The selection of persimmons begins with the definition of the variety. The main groups are non—astringents (for example, "Fuyu", "Sharon") and astringents (Hachiya). For non-astringent varieties, ripeness is determined by the density of the fruit: mature "Fuyu" should be elastic, but not rigid, with a rich orange-red tint of the skin. For astringent varieties, full maturity is important — the fruit becomes soft, almost jelly-like inside, and only in this state it loses its astringency. Unripe persimmons will remain astringent and unpleasant to the taste.

Signs of ripeness: uniform color without green patches, clean skin without severe dents and mold, whole fruit without damage to the sepals. For an accurate assessment, you can smell the fruit: a ripe persimmon exudes a light sweet aroma. If in doubt, it is better to choose a slightly overripe fruit than an obviously green one. The tail is also important: in ripe persimmons, it is dry and fits snugly to the fruit.

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If the buyer is not sure about the variety or is afraid of tartness, it is safer to choose fruits that are soft to the touch or non-astringent varieties that can be eaten immediately. Unripe fruits are also suitable for home ripening: they can be left in a warm place or next to apples and bananas, which release ethylene and accelerate ripening.

What is the danger of persimmon when used improperly?

Persimmon is a delicious and healthy fruit, but if consumed improperly, it can pose a threat to health. The main danger is associated with a high content of tannins and tannins, which, if consumed excessively, can cause digestive problems.

One of the serious threats is the formation of dense lumps of food in the stomach, known as phytobezoars, which can block the intestines and lead to intestinal obstruction. Excessive consumption of fruits can cause bloating and stomach pain. High tannin content can also disrupt the absorption of important vitamins and minerals, including iron and calcium, which is especially important for people with a deficiency.

Who is absolutely forbidden to eat persimmons

Despite its beneficial properties, persimmon is contraindicated in some categories of people. So, with an exacerbation of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as gastritis, ulcers or pancreatitis, the use of persimmons can worsen the condition and cause an exacerbation.

It is not recommended to give fruit to children under three years of age due to the risk of allergic reactions and difficulty in digestion. In rare cases, persimmon can provoke allergic reactions in adults, manifested by rash, itching or swelling, so people with a known allergy to the fruit should avoid eating it.

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Persimmon contains a significant amount of sugars, which can be a problem for people with diabetes, increasing blood glucose levels, and also contains iodine, which can be harmful in large doses for thyroid diseases.

To reduce the risk of negative consequences, experts recommend eating persimmons in moderation, limiting yourself to one or two fruits per day. It is important to choose fully ripe fruits, as unripe persimmons remain tart and are poorly digested. You should also avoid combining persimmons with dairy products and cold water, as this can cause digestive disorders. Following these rules will allow you to enjoy the taste and beneficial properties of persimmons without endangering your health.