benefits of kumquat fruit

Kumquats provide the B vitamin, riboflavin, which is a component of various enzymes involved in energy metabolism. Eight kumquats provide 0.137 mg of riboflavin. The daily amount of riboflavin recommended by the National Institute of Medicine is 1.1 mg for women and 1.3 mg for men.

Calcium is essential for nerve transmission, muscle contraction and for formation of teeth and bones. The USDA National Nutrient Database shows that eight kumquats have 94 mg of calcium. The Institute of Medicine recommends adults consume 1,000 mg of calcium daily.

Fruits and vegetables have a high water content which acts as hydration in the body and also contributes to energy density. A 100 gram serving of kumquats contains about 81 grams of water. Low energy density foods help fill you up and are good additions when you are trying to lose weight.

Vitamin C is known scientifically as ascorbic acid. This antioxidant vitamin is prevalent in a lot of citrus fruits, including kumquats. A 100 gram serving contains nearly 44 milligrams. The recommended daily intake is 75 milligrams a day for women over 18 and 90 milligrams a day for men in this same age group. Vitamin C aids wound healing, promotes healthy connective tissue and also helps absorb free radicals.

Foods with a low energy density not only contain a high amount of water, but they are also low in calories. Kumquats contain only 71 calories per 100 grams. Kumquat fruits possess very good keeping quality. They can be stored at room temperature for about 3 4 days, and inside the refrigerator for up to three weeks. Frozen kumquat puree can be stored for six months or more.

A diet high in saturated fat is a major contributor to high cholesterol and heart disease. Kumquats contain less than a gram of fat per 100 gram serving, and they are also cholesterol free. Kumquats taste best if they gently rolled or squeezed between the fingers before being eaten. This process unifies sweet ingredients in its thin rind with that of tart pulp. Eat kumquats as you would eat grapes or olives with the peel.

Carbohydrates, which are macronutrients, act as energy producers in the body, which makes them important to consume in large amounts. A 100 gram serving of kumquats contains about 16 grams of carbs. Protein is another important macronutrient that the body needs in high doses. Kumquats do not have as much protein as they do carbs, but they do have some. A 100 gram serving contains just under 2 grams. The recommended daily intake of carbs is 45 to 65 percent of your total calories. The recommended intake of protein is 46 grams for women and 56 grams for men.

Calcium and potassium fall into the category of electrolyte minerals that aid in muscle contraction and also help with blood chemistry. Kumquats contain about 62 milligrams of calcium and 186 milligrams of potassium per 100 grams. The recommended daily intake of calcium for women 19 to 50 and men 19 to 70 is 1,000 milligrams. Women over 70 should get 1,300 milligrams. The recommended daily intake of potassium for men and women is 4,700 milligrams.

Vitamin A, which is also known as retinol, helps strengthen the teeth, skin and soft tissue, and it is also beneficial for eyesight. Adult women 19 and over should get 700 international units a day of vitamin A and men in this same age group should get 900 international units. A 100 gram serving of kumquats contains 290 international units.

The citrus family of fruits contains such popular varieties as oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruits. The kumquat is a lesser known fruit that is oval shaped and orange or yellow in color. What separates the kumquat from other citrus fruits is that you can eat the entire thing. The skin is sweet and the center is tart which creates a sweet and sour flavor.