Although eating persimmons has many benefits, there are a few points to be aware of:
Do not eat persimmons on an empty stomach
Persimmons contain a relatively high amount of tannic acid and pectin. On an empty stomach, these substances will form hard lumps of varying sizes under the action of gastric acid. If these lumps cannot pass through the pylorus into the small intestine, they will remain in the stomach, forming a bezoar. Small bezoars may initially be the size of an apricot pit but can grow larger over time. If a bezoar cannot be naturally expelled, it can cause intestinal obstruction, leading to severe upper abdominal pain, vomiting, and even hematemesis. Bezoars as large as a fist have been found during surgery. If the stomach is "full," the formation of a bezoar can be avoided.
The skin of the persimmon should not be eaten
Some people find that chewing the skin along with the persimmon is more flavorful than eating the fruit alone. However, this is not a scientific way to eat. Because the vast majority of the tannic acid in a persimmon is concentrated in its skin, and it's impossible to remove all of it during the de-astringency process, eating the skin makes it easier to form a bezoar. This is especially true when the de-astringency process is incomplete, as the skin will contain even more tannic acid.
Do not eat with high-protein foods such as crab, fish, and shrimp
In traditional Chinese medicine, both crab and persimmon are considered "cold" foods and therefore should not be consumed together. From a modern medical perspective, high-protein foods like crab, fish, and shrimp can easily coagulate into lumps in the presence of tannic acid, forming a bezoar.
Diabetics should not eat them
Persimmons contain 10.8% sugar, most of which are simple disaccharides and monosaccharides (such as sucrose, fructose, and glucose). Therefore, they are easily absorbed after consumption, causing blood sugar levels to rise. For diabetics, especially those with poorly controlled blood sugar, this can be particularly harmful.
Everything in moderation
The tannic acid in persimmons can form compounds with minerals like calcium, zinc, magnesium, and iron in food that cannot be absorbed by the human body, rendering these nutrients unusable. Therefore, eating too many persimmons can easily lead to a deficiency of these minerals. Additionally, because persimmons are high in sugar, eating them can be more filling than eating the same quantity of apples or raw pears, which can affect appetite and reduce the intake of regular meals. It is generally recommended that one should not eat more than 200 grams of persimmons at a time, and not on an empty stomach.
Rinse your mouth after eating
Persimmons are high in sugar and contain pectin. After eating, some of the fruit will remain in the mouth, especially in the crevices between teeth. Combined with the weakly acidic tannic acid, it can easily erode tooth enamel, leading to cavities. Therefore, it is advisable to drink some water or rinse your mouth promptly after eating persimmons.