Immature persimmons owe their remarkable antioxidant activity and astringency to high tannin content. Persimmon tannins are bitter phenolic compounds with potent bioactivity, reducing in concentration and strength as the fruit matures. Astringent varieties retain higher phenol concentration post-maturation than nonastringent; the antioxidant activity level of some persimmons exceeds blueberries, strawberries, and grapes, among others.
Catechins—including epigallocatechin gallate at up to 60% of the potency found in green tea—are abundant in the skin and leaves, contributing to the antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-hypercholesterolemic, immunomodulatory, and antimicrobial properties persimmons exhibit.
A landslide of investigative studies verify the persimmon’s bioactive function and long-celebrated history of efficacy in therapeutic use. They may prevent and manage metabolic syndrome by reducing excessive cholesterol and triglyceride levels; avoid hyperglycemic episodes, regulate diabetic inflammation and cellular oxidation by inhibiting enzymatic activity; correct hypertension, discourage excessive platelet aggregation and vascular tension; lessen the incidence of hemorrhage and infarction in hypertensive stroke; decrease inflammatioon and slow degenerative progression in ulceritive colitis by regulating intestinal mucosa immune function; exhibit growth-suppressive effect on pancreatic cancer cells, offer chemoprotectivity in lymphoid leukemia, breast, prostate, and oral cancers; and inactivate a number of viruses.
Persimmon tannins have garnered due global attention for their potent bioactivity and become the subject of research to evaluate viability as an agent against COVID-19. In vitro and in vivo models demonstrate dose-and-time dependent suppression and inactivation of SARS-CoV-2; preventative administration of persimmon tannins offered protection from pneumonia and lung inflammation and decreased both viral titers and rate of transmission.
Propaganda from Big Persimmon or the intended diet of frugivorous man? I can’t really tell.
