Kumquat helps with a hangover - is it true or just another popular myth?

Kumquat - what kind of plant is this with an outlandish name? It became famous on the Internet as a remedy for combating alcohol poisoning. But the product appeared on the shelves of Russian stores recently, so people have not yet gotten used to it. We suggest you figure out what kind of fruit it is and whether it really helps with a hangover.

What is a kumquat and where does it grow?

Kumquat is called differently in different countries: kinkan, “golden orange”, “golden apple”, fortuneella. The last term is found in scientific sources. The fruit belongs to the citrus genus. The fruits grow on an evergreen tree 2–3 meters high.

China is considered the birthplace of the kumquat. Where else does this fruit grow? Today, citrus is found in many countries with warm climates - in Japan, Spain, Italy, Montenegro, the southern USA and the Middle East.

Externally, the fruits resemble small oranges: only 2–2.5 centimeters in diameter and up to 5 centimeters in length. Shape like a plum. One kumquat easily fits in a tablespoon.

Does kumquat help with hangover?

To find out the truth, let's turn to the recommendations of doctors.They believe that the following substances help the human body with a hangover:

• Vitamin C. Binds and removes ethanol (alcohol) breakdown products from the body. Tones and improves well-being. Vitamin C is included in many anti-hangover medicines.
• Vitamin B1. Enhances the production of the enzyme acetyl-CoA. The latter accelerates the process of converting ethanol into water and carbon dioxide.
• Vitamin B6. Stimulates the liver, which, in turn, processes and removes toxins from the body.
• Potassium. With alcohol poisoning, a person largely feels unwell due to dehydration (experiences “dryness”). And potassium restores the water-salt balance in the body.

Finally, when you have a hangover, doctors advise drinking more clean water so that your kidneys remove the breakdown products of ethyl alcohol. Let's see if the components listed above are contained in kumquat.

Table 1. “Content of anti-alcohol substances in kumquat”

Thus, the anti-hangover effect of kumquat for the body is not a fiction. Although the benefits are obviously exaggerated. For example, the same oranges have 30% more vitamin C, bananas have 2 times more potassium. And in terms of the percentage of B vitamins, many citruses are ahead of kumquat, and are cheaper.

Mini-oranges kinkan are not a panacea for a hangover. They will make you feel a little better after an evening of drinking, but they won't work a miracle.

How to eat it?

The taste of kumquat is sweet and sour, almost like Turkish tangerines. How do they eat it?

Fresh kumquat is an unusual citrus that does not need to be peeled. You can eat it straight with the skin.Just be sure to wash the fruit under running water to remove the substances that are used to protect the fruit from mold.

Kinkan is eaten with the skin on because it is quite soft, thin and has a sweet taste. Plus it contains essential oils. Without the skin, the fruit may seem too sour.

Desserts are prepared from kumquat:

• candied fruit;
• jelly;
• marmalade;
• candies;
• jam.

In European countries, pickled kumquat fruits are considered an excellent addition to meat and fish dishes. And sweet candied fruits serve as a delicious snack for strong drinks - cognac, whiskey, liqueur. Sometimes the fruits are added to tequila instead of olives.

Dried kumquat is very popular among residents of hot countries. This is a very sweet dried fruit about the size of a walnut. However, it has a high calorie content - 284 kcal per 100 grams, so those who are losing weight should skip it. But dried kumquat, on the contrary, has a low calorie content - 50 kcal per 100 grams.

How much can you eat per day?

It is advisable not to consume more than 200 grams of fresh kumquat per day. 5–8 pieces will be enough. In case of alcohol poisoning, you can eat 300 grams at once - only then will you feel the anti-hangover effect.

What are the benefits of fruit for men and women?

Small citrus can be consumed not only to bounce back after the holidays. The fruit has many other beneficial properties.

Calorie content and composition

How many calories are in a kumquat? 100 grams of fresh fruit contain 71 kcal, so the product belongs to the dietary category. This citrus contains quite a lot of fiber - 33% of the daily value, so it is recommended to eat it to improve digestion.

Kumquat is an excellent preventative against stool disorders and dysbacteriosis.

The main benefit of Fortunella is its high content of vitamin C. This element is a natural antioxidant and has the following properties:

• strengthens the immune system;
• slows down the aging process;
• protects cells from free radicals that cause cancer and inflammatory processes in the body;
• helps absorb iron;
• increases the strength of blood vessels.

In addition to vitamin C, kumquat is rich in vitamins B2, B5, B9 (folic acid), calcium and copper. Each of these elements has its own benefits for the body.

• Vitamin B2 converts carbohydrates and fats into energy, serves as a prevention of obesity.
• Vitamin B5 stimulates the production of adrenal hormones and thereby prevents heart and vascular diseases. In addition, it protects the nervous system from stress and overwork.
• Vitamin B9 – a useful substance for women. It is involved in the construction of new cells, normalizes hormonal levels and emotional state.
• Copper stimulates the production of enzymes important for the body.
• Calcium strengthens bones, teeth and nails.

Beneficial features

What are the benefits of kumquat for men? Due to the high content of ascorbic acid and B vitamins, the fruit tones the body, increases physical strength and endurance.

For women, citrus has the following healing properties:

• relieves irritability and nervousness;
• serves as a prevention of thrush (due to the antifungal effect of essential oils);
• speeds up metabolism and helps lose weight;
• improves the condition of skin, hair and nails.

During the cold season, eat 3-5 fresh fruits a day to avoid getting the flu or acute respiratory infections. Another prevention option is to place citrus peels near heating appliances.

The benefits of dried and dried kumquat

Dried kumquat retains the same vitamins and microelements that are present in fresh fruits. And the plus is that citrus lasts longer in this form. It is recommended to chew dried kumquat when coughing - it has an antibacterial effect and relieves pain. Dried fruit is also eaten to prevent ulcers.

Dried kumquat is considered no less valuable. It has the following properties:

• reduces the number of cholesterol plaques;
• protects eye health;
• strengthens the nervous system;
• improves intestinal motility;
• reduces cholesterol levels;
• increases hemoglobin levels.

If you see bright green or red fruits in the store, it means the citrus has been artificially colored. It is better to refuse such a purchase. A good dried kumquat has an unpresentable appearance - pale orange and wrinkled.

Harm of kumquat

Unfortunately, there are no safe products in nature. Health problems and other reasons force people to give up even some fruits and vegetables. Kumquat also has contraindications.

Contraindications

Citrus contains ascorbic acid in large quantities. Therefore, it is not recommended for people who suffer from the following ailments:

• increased acidity of gastric juice;
• gastritis;
• ulcer;
• deep caries;
• inflammatory processes in the kidneys.

Can kumquat cause cystitis? This fruit changes the acidity in the bladder, and the acidic environment is beneficial for the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms. However, there have been no scientific studies confirming the relationship between citrus fruits and an increased risk of cystitis.

Consuming kumquat in moderation is unlikely to harm your bladder health.And if you have already encountered cystitis, give up citrus until you recover.

If you are pregnant and breastfeeding, it is better to consult your doctor. And, of course, people with allergies to citrus fruits should not eat kumquats.

Can you eat kumquat if you have diabetes?

100 grams of fresh fruits contain 9.4 grams of carbohydrates - monosaccharides. This is quite a lot compared to other fruits. So if you have diabetes, it is better to avoid kumquat.

If you consider yourself a citrus fruit fan, be sure to try kumquat. Its advantage over oranges and tangerines is its high content of essential oils and fiber. In addition, citrus does not need to be peeled. Eat kumquats in the cold season to saturate your body with vitamins and prevent colds and seasonal blues.