Drinking kumquat-infused water has many benefits. What are its effects and functions?

Kumquat, also called jin gan or jin ju, is a plant species under the genus Fortunella in the Rutaceae family. In Guangdong, the kumquat tree is generally regarded as a symbol of good fortune, and many people keep a pot of it at home. Some varieties are edible. Today we will introduce the sweet-and-sour kumquat's effects and functions. What are the benefits of drinking kumquat-infused water?

I. Nutritional value of kumquat

1. Kumquat has a relatively high content of calcium and potassium, and its content of vitamin C and A is also relatively high. Its calorie level is medium among fruits.

2. The vitamin C content in kumquat peel is as high as 70mg/g, and the content in the whole fruit is 43mg/g, almost comparable to kiwifruit. In addition, it is also rich in carotene, protein, lipids, inorganic salts, zinc, iron, and other trace elements, with relatively high nutritional value.

Kumquat contains rich nutritional elements. Every 100 grams of kumquat contains the following multiple nutritional elements:

Nutrient content: energy 55.00 (kcal), protein 1.00 (g), fat 0.20 (g), carbohydrates 13.70 (g), manganese 0.25 (mg), carotene 370.00 (mcg), vitamin E 1.58 (mg), vitamin C 35.00 (mg), potassium 144.00 (mg), sodium 3.00 (mg), calcium 42.00 (mg), magnesium 56.00 (mg), iron 1.00 (mg), copper 0.07 (mg), vitamin A 62.00 (mcg), phosphorus 20.00 (mg), selenium 0.62 (mcg), niacin 0.30 (mg).

II. Effects and functions of kumquat

1. Dietary effects

Effect one: promotes bowel movements and detoxification, and supports eye health

Kumquat is rich in vitamin C and fiber. 80% of the vitamin C is stored in the peel. Eating kumquat can promote gastrointestinal motility, aid digestion, promote bowel movements and detoxification, and support eye health.

Effect two: prevents vascular hardening and high blood pressure

The vitamin C, kumquat glycosides, and other components contained in kumquat have a certain effect on maintaining cardiovascular function and preventing vascular hardening, high blood pressure, and other diseases.

Effect three: enhances cold resistance

Kumquat can enhance the body's cold resistance and can help prevent and treat colds and lower blood lipids.

Effect four: sobering up

Kumquat tastes sweet-and-sour and delicious, and has a sobering effect.

Effect five: regulating qi and resolving phlegm

Kumquat is sweet and warm in medicinal nature, and can regulate qi, relieve depression, resolve phlegm, and quench thirst.

Effect six: aging

Every 100 grams of kumquat fruit contains 62 micrograms of vitamin A, which has a certain promoting effect on preventing pigment deposition, improving skin luster and elasticity, and slowing aging, and can also help avoid sagging and wrinkling of the skin.

Effect seven: aiding digestion

Kumquat peel contains volatile aromatic oil, whose components include limonene, hesperidin, and fatty acids. It has a soothing effect on the human body's digestion and helps digestion.

2. Ornamental value

In addition to its edible value, in Guangdong and Hong Kong, China, many residents buy a pot of kumquat tree during the Spring Festival for good luck and place it at home. The kumquat tree has a fresh fragrance and a long fruiting period. It generally blooms white flowers in summer, with fragrance filling the air, and is a very good potted plant for both flowers and fruit.

III. What are the benefits of drinking kumquat-infused water?

In addition to eating kumquat directly raw, it can also be infused in water. If some suitable ingredients are added to pair with it, the nutrition is even richer.

1. Kumquat + lemon

Beverage shops often have kumquat lemon water. Both contain aromatic volatile oil components, and both have high vitamin content. Paired as an infusion, they can stimulate appetite, aid digestion, and also beautify, with many benefits. They are suitable for women to drink often.

2. Kumquat + ginger

Kumquat paired with ginger as an infusion can moisten the lungs, relieve cough with copious phlegm, and is suitable for relieving symptoms caused by excessive drinking.

3. Kumquat + honey

Kumquat honey tea has the effects of regulating qi, aiding digestion, relieving depression, resolving phlegm, and quenching thirst. It is suitable for people with high blood pressure, acute and chronic bronchitis, hepatitis, and cholecystitis. People with weak spleen and qi-blood deficiency should not eat much of it, and people with diabetes should avoid it. Drinking honey kumquat tea in autumn and winter can also prevent colds.

4. Kumquat + hawthorn

Hawthorn contains flavonoids, hawthorn acid, citric acid, and other substances. Infused together with kumquat, it can regulate qi and resolve blood stasis, aid digestion and lower lipids, and is suitable for food stagnation with poor appetite, abdominal distension and fullness, as well as coronary heart disease and hyperlipidemia.

5. Kumquat + chrysanthemum

Kumquat chrysanthemum tea clears fire and brightens the eyes, promotes body fluid production, and quenches thirst. Office workers can drink it regularly in all four seasons.

6. Kumquat + passion fruit

Eating kumquat and passion fruit together can supplement vitamin C and has the effect of harmonizing the middle and moistening the lungs. Paired as an infusion, it can relieve fatigue.

Note: Kumquat-infused water is suitable for moderate drinking after meals. The organic acids in kumquat stimulate the mucous membrane of the stomach wall and are not good for the stomach, so it is not recommended to eat on an empty stomach.

IV. Who kumquat is suitable for

1. Kumquat is suitable for high blood pressure

Kumquat is rich in vitamin C. Eating kumquat can effectively lower cholesterol in the blood and reduce high blood pressure. At the same time, people with acute and chronic bronchitis, hepatitis, and cholecystitis can also appropriately eat some kumquat.

2. Kumquat is suitable for women

Kumquat is rich in vitamin C and vitamin A. Eating kumquat can stimulate appetite, aid digestion, and moisturize the skin, preventing dry skin and beautifying the face.

3. Kumquat is suitable for people who drink alcohol

Kumquat can also sober people up and aid digestion, relieve depression, and regulate qi.

V. Dietary contraindications for kumquat

1. Contraindication one: people with poor gastrointestinal function, a cold-deficient constitution, dental disease, or throat disease should not eat kumquat.

2. Contraindication one: do not eat kumquat within one hour before or after drinking milk. This is because the protein in milk combines with the fruit acid in kumquat and coagulates, which is not conducive to human digestion and absorption, so do not eat kumquat within one hour before or after drinking milk.

3. Contraindication one: after eating kumquat, do not eat sugar or other sweet things, otherwise it is easy to produce phlegm.

4. Contraindication one: if the throat is itchy and phlegm is produced, do not eat kumquat, otherwise the condition may worsen.

5. Contraindication one: kumquat contains organic acids, which stimulate the stomach. Do not eat kumquat on an empty stomach, otherwise the stomach will feel uncomfortable.

6. Contraindication one: although kumquat is good, eating 3-5 per day is enough. 

The above is an introduction to the effects and functions of kumquat. We hope this article is helpful to you. Kumquat is also a very common fruit in daily life. As long as it is eaten in reasonable combinations, it can achieve health-preserving effects. However, attention should also be paid to the dietary contraindications mentioned at the end.