What happens if you eat too many persimmons?
Sep 05, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yu Yongchao
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, although persimmons are rich in nutrients, excessive consumption may cause physical discomfort, mainly including gastrointestinal upset, formation of gastric persimmon stones, blood sugar fluctuations, exacerbation of oral discomfort, and impaired nutrient absorption. When consuming persimmons regularly, it is important to control the quantity, avoid eating them on an empty stomach, and preferably choose ripe persimmons with lower tannin content.
Generally speaking, although persimmons are rich in nutrients, excessive consumption may cause bodily discomfort, mainly including gastrointestinal discomfort, formation of gastric persimmon stones, blood sugar fluctuations, worsening of oral discomfort, and impaired nutrient absorption. A detailed explanation is as follows:
1. Gastrointestinal discomfort: Persimmons contain significant amounts of tannins and pectin. When consumed in excess, these components react with gastric acid in the stomach, irritating the gastric mucosa and possibly causing symptoms such as abdominal distension, pain, nausea, and vomiting. The irritation is particularly evident when large quantities are consumed on an empty stomach.
2. Formation of gastric persimmon stones: Under the action of gastric acid, tannins easily combine with proteins in food to form insoluble precipitates. Continuous accumulation of these precipitates may lead to the formation of hard gastric persimmon stones. These stones can interfere with normal gastric peristalsis, potentially causing gastric obstruction, severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and related symptoms.
3. Blood sugar fluctuations: Persimmons contain a certain amount of sugar. Excessive consumption leads to excessive sugar intake, which can easily cause a rapid increase in blood glucose levels. For individuals with diabetes or unstable blood sugar control, such fluctuations can worsen their condition, hinder blood sugar management, and may also trigger discomforts such as thirst and frequent urination.
4. Worsening oral discomfort: The tannins in persimmons have an astringent effect. After excessive consumption, tannins adhere to the surface of teeth and oral mucosa, causing a sensation of astringency in the mouth and possibly increasing tooth sensitivity. If oral hygiene is not maintained promptly after consumption, tannins can combine with calcium on the tooth surface, and over time, this may increase the risk of dental damage.
5. Impaired nutrient absorption: Tannins in persimmons can combine with minerals such as calcium, iron, and zinc in food to form compounds that are not easily absorbed by the human body. Long-term excessive consumption may hinder the absorption of these minerals, potentially leading to nutritional deficiencies and affecting normal physiological functions of the body.
When consuming persimmons in daily life, it is important to control the quantity, avoid eating them on an empty stomach, and preferably choose ripe persimmons with lower tannin content, to minimize adverse effects on the body.
