Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Popular Ingredients Peaches Are So Much More Nutritious Than You Think—Here's Why According to RDs, this fruit is an anti-inflammatory superhero. By Betty Gold Betty Gold Betty Gold is the former senior digital food editor at Real Simple. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 11, 2023 Fact checked by Haley Mades Fact checked by Haley Mades Haley is a Wisconsin-based creative freelancer and recent graduate. She has worked as an editor, fact checker, and copywriter for various digital and print publications. Her most recent position was in academic publishing as a publicity and marketing assistant for the University of Wisconsin Press Our Fact-Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email As much as I love an early autumn apple-picking adventure or a springy asparagus and pea pasta recipe, peak-peach season always wins. There's just something about biting into a fresh-picked stone fruit that's so ripe it drips down your chin, or diving into a slice of warm peach pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting on top. Mess factor and all, peaches are perfect. According to Jenn Lavardera, RD, a nutrition expert for Naturipe Farms, peaches are also one of the healthiest fruits you can eat. Here's what health benefits you'll reap when you bite in. Just keep a napkin close! The Best Way to Pick a Perfectly Ripe Peach 01 of 05 They Have Antioxidant Benefits "While berries are often touted for their antioxidant benefits, peaches have many of those same healthful compounds," explains Lavardera. "In fact, some varieties of peaches show just as much antioxidant activity as blueberries." These antioxidants help your body combat and prevent oxidative stress and the production of cell-damaging free-radicals. This is key to staving off inflammation and lowering your risk for chronic illnesses like Alzheimer's, cancers, and heart disease (more on this below). Take note: the more ripe and fresh the fruit, the more antioxidants it contains. Keep this in mind before opting for canned versions. 02 of 05 They Help Protect Your Eyes, Skin, and Immune System According to Lavardera, peaches contain beta-carotene, the healthful compounds you think of when you think of carrots and orange vegetables. Beta-carotene plays an important role in skin and eye health and is also a powerful antioxidant. It's also a precursor for vitamin A, which helps your body fight inflammation, keeps your gut healthy, and boosts your immune system. 03 of 05 They May Help Prevent Cancer One lab study found peaches (specifically the Rich Lady peach) may be beneficial in inhibiting breast cancer cells. Additionally, the carotenoids in peaches have also been shown to have anticancer properties. 04 of 05 They Lower Your Risk for Heart Disease "Lab work has also shown peaches may be beneficial in preventing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which is a risk factor for heart disease," says Lavardera. 05 of 05 They Have Digestive Benefits "Peaches are a good source of fiber—one large peach has about 3 grams of fiber and just under 70 calories," says Lavardera. Fiber is a key factor in supporting optimal digestion and gut health, plus it can help maintain stable blood sugar levels. Just make sure you're eating the whole peach, not just the juice. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Real Simple is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts in our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. 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