KUMQUATS, AH YEAH, KUMQUATS……

ONLY THOSE OF YOU AS OLD AS WE ARE WILL GET THE REFERENCE IN THE TITLE…….

FROM PHIL LEMPERT, SUPERMARKET GURU

This month in honor of American Heart Month, every day, we’re calling out the top foods for your heart!

Kumquats, the tiny olive-sized citrus are full of disease-fighting antioxidants, contained in their sweet, edible skin. Yes, that’s right kumquats are meat to be eaten whole!

A serving of eight – which contains about one hundred calories – also contains about one third of your daily fiber, along with a healthy dose of potassium and vitamins A and C. Both vitamin A and C are potent antioxidants helping to protect the body against free radicals and oxidation, thus helping boos the health of the heart and vessels. Kumquats are also rich in phytonutrients flavonoids, including carotene, tannin, zeaxanthin, and pectin that also act as antioxidants helping to protect the body.

Because kumquats are fiber rich they help to carry excess cholesterol out of the body. The potassium contained in Kumquats also helps the heart, helping to balance sodium and keep a steady blood pressure and heart rhythm.

At the market, look for firm fruits that are bright orange in color. Green indicates they aren’t ripe yet. Store kumquats at room temperature for a couple of days, or for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. You can also find kumquat in preserves or pickled!

If you haven’t yet tried this sweet and tart fruit, now’s the time to try them!