What Is Quince Fruit And Its History?
Quince (Cydonia oblonga) is a shrub or small tree belonging to the Asian genera and Rosaceae family. This yellow, pear-shaped hairy fruit has a typical flavor and aroma. Raw quince is tough, astringent, and sour. This plant originated in Asia Minor and spread through the countries bordering the Himalayan mountains to the East and throughout Europe to the West. However, it is most likely that quince did not reach the Mediterranean region until the classical period when it was used by the Romans (1). The ancient civilizations cultivated quince for its medicinal benefits.. Continue reading to discover what gives this fruit its medicinal powers.
Nutritional Information Of Quince Fruit
A hundred grams of raw quince contains (2): Compared to apples, quince contains nearly two times more vitamin C and more minerals (3). Shena Jaramillo, RD, says, “Quince fruit is a great source of potassium and fiber. Potassium is an important electrolyte in the body, and fiber aids in digestion. It is also a great source of vitamin C, which helps with collagen formation and supports the immune system.” Read on to learn more about the health benefits of quince.
7 Potential Health Benefits of Quince Fruit
1. A Good Source Of Antioxidants
Quince pulp, seeds, and peel are rich in antioxidant phenolic compounds because of their rich vitamin C (ascorbic acid) content (4). The phenolic compounds are crucial for minimizing oxidative stress and inflammation, the main causes of numerous health issues. Moreover, antioxidants also strengthen the immune system to protect the body against harmful pathogens.
2. May Protect Against Stomach Ulcers
A rat study found that the phenolic compounds in Chinese quince extracts could suppress gastric ulcers and keep the gastrointestinal tract healthy (5). The antioxidants can help protect the mucus membrane of the stomach (gastric mucosa) by minimizing harmful inflammation and oxidative stress.
3. Antimicrobial Effects
The phenolic compounds in quince extract (pulp and peel) have antimicrobial properties. They can disrupt bacterial cell membranes and interfere with their metabolism and eliminate them (6).
4. May Help With Pregnancy-Induced Nausea
A trial on pregnant women found that quince syrup could significantly reduce with mild to moderate nausea and vomiting (NVP). Hence, quince is safe to consume by pregnant women and can even be a better alternative to improve symptoms of nausea and vomiting (7).
5. May Have Anti-Allergic Effects
A mice study found that quince extract could relieve the symptoms of a type I allergy (immediate reaction) by suppressing the antibody production and inhibiting the atopic dermatitis-like allergic responses (8).
6. May Help With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Research showed that quince fruit extract is as effective as ranitidine in relieving the symptoms of pregnancy-related GERD. In a 2020 study published in Gastroenterology, findings from the 2015 National Gastrointestinal Survey involving 71,812 participants revealed noteworthy statistics on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). About 44.1% reported having experienced GERD symptoms in the past, while 30.9% experienced them in the previous week. Surprisingly, among those using Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs), 54.1% continued to suffer from persistent GERD symptoms. Quince is traditionally used as a gastric tonic to boost gut health and reduce nausea, vomiting, and other gut-related issues (9).
7. May Prevent Cancer
A study observed that the phenolic compounds in quince fruit and leaf extracts inhibited the proliferation of colon and renal cancer cells. Researchers concluded that quince extracts might be useful in the prevention and treatment of cancer (10). However, more studies are warranted to prove the efficacy of quince extract as a chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent.
8. May Help Boost Heart Health
Quince fruit emerges as a promising natural aid for heart health, supported by various studies that highlight its beneficial impacts on cardiovascular markers. Research consistently demonstrates its positive effects on lipid profiles, showcasing significant reductions in total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels while elevating the beneficial HDL cholesterol (HDL-C). Notably, quince extracts exhibit lipid-lowering effects comparable to standard medications like simvastatin, emphasizing their potential to manage cholesterol levels. Additionally, quince showcases promise in addressing diabetes, stimulating pathways that enhance glucose metabolism. While effects on insulin levels vary, this fruit helps improve glucose control. Moreover, studies reveal quince’s positive influence on blood pressure, demonstrating antihypertensive effects akin to conventional medications like captopril (11). There are many ways to include quince in your diet. However, if you are new to this fruit, your tastebuds may take time to adapt to its rich and exciting flavor and texture. Some hints on how you can enjoy this delectable fruit are laid out in the following sections.
How To Eat Quince Fruit
Quince can be eaten raw or cooked, with or without the skin. However, not everyone may prefer raw quince as it has a sour and astringent taste. Cooked quince has a sweet and floral flavor. The best way to preserve (and consume) quince is by preparing marmalades, jams, and jellies. You may substitute quince for apples and pears in different recipes like crumbles, cakes, pies, and other desserts. You may also prepare quince vinegar (just like homemade apple cider vinegar) and enjoy this seasonal produce throughout the year. Here are a few popular recipes you can try out.
Popular Recipes Using Quince Fruit
1. Quince Jelly
This lovely rose-colored quince jelly is abundant in natural pectins and healthy nutrients. What You Need
1.5 kg of quince, diced 7 cups of water 7 cups of sugar
How To Prepare
2. Quince Pie
The classic apple pie has a delectable autumn flavor. Skip the pie crust and top your pie with sliced quinces and granny apples for a crunchy taste. What You Need
3 cups of peeled quinces, thinly sliced 1 can of apple juice, unsweetened 1 teaspoon of cloves 9-inch pie pastry 5 cups of apples, thinly sliced ½ cup of sugar 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon of salt ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg
How To Prepare
3. Quince Glazed Brussels Sprouts
Add a little zest to the classic roasted Brussels sprouts with a sweet and fruity sauce spiced with a hint of fire from crushed red pepper flakes. What You Need
900 g of Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved ¼ cup of olive oil 1/3 cup of quince paste 1/3 cup of water 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar 1 teaspoon of grated lemon zest 1 tablespoon of lemon juice ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper ¼ teaspoon of paprika 4 tablespoons of basil, finely chopped ¾ teaspoon of salt ½ teaspoon of black pepper, freshly ground
How To Prepare A food blogger jotted down her heartfelt memories of how her mother prepared quince fruit. She added, “This is my favorite way to eat quince. Baked in the oven, slowly simmering in sweet sugar syrup. A more grown up and sophisticated version of the stewed fruit from my childhood (i).” Since quince is available during the fall, you may want to store it for later use. Here are a few tips.
How To Store Quince Fruit
Nadia Charif , RD, says, “Usually sold unripe in the US, it’ll take a few days on the countertop to ripen your quince. You’ll know it’s unripe if the fruit is more green than yellow, hard (rather than giving to the touch) & has little to no fruity fragrance. Like other fruits, to speed the process, store in a paper bag on the countertop.” She adds, “Once cut, your quince will oxidize, so wrap tightly with plastic wrap or cover the cut portion of fruit thoroughly with lemon juice (albeit, this will make your quince more tart). Quince tends to absorb the odor of other foods, so it’s important to store away from strong smells whether on the countertop or in the refrigerator.” According to Jaramillo, quince fruit can be stored for up to two weeks at cool temperatures. Quince is a healthy and nutritious addition to your diet. However, it has some possible adverse effects worth noting.
Possible Side Effects Of Quince Fruit
Dr. Kire Stojkovski, MD, shares, “When consumed in large quantities, quince causes negative effects on the stomach (elicits the stomach to produce volatile gases). When exposed to the skin, the fruit causes irritations to the skin. It also causes inflammation (swellings). The fruit is also responsible for causing diarrhea and problems in digestion.” Is quince good for kidneys? Yes, Quince may exert a protective effect on the kidneys in a number of ways. It may help regulate blood pressure and thus prevent kidney damage associated with hypertension (12), ( 13). In studies, quince extract has been shown to reduce kidney damage associated with high levels of fat in the bloodstream (hyperlipidemia) (14). In addition, it may protect against renal cancer (10). Is quince alkaline or acidic? Though quince contains some organic acids, it breaks down in the body as alkaline ash when consumed fresh. Is quince a citrus fruit? No, quince is not a citrus fruit. It is instead a pome fruit, much like apples and pears. Be it for nutrition in jams and marmalade or as any skincare ingredient, quince fruit can help you all the way along. Watch the following video to learn how it helps improve your overall health.
