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Peach and the Cretan Bowl Diet…I love a juicy peach in the summertime. Peaches are grown on the island of Crete and consequently are abundant and cheap when they are in season. One medium peach (with skin) contains one gram dietary fibre. Peaches are rich in Vitamin C, which is an important vitamin in that it plays a significant role as an antioxidant, thereby protecting body tissue from the damage of oxidation. Antioxidants act to protect your cells against the effects of free radicals, which are potentially damaging by-products of the body’s metabolism. Free radicals can cause cell damage that may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Also Peaches are an excellent source of Vitamin A and Vitamin B3. Vitamin A assists with cell reproduction. It also stimulates immunity and is needed for formation of some hormones. Vitamin A helps vision and supports bone growth, tooth development, and helps maintain healthy skin, hair, and mucous membranes. 
Deficiency of Vitamin A can cause night blindness, dry skin, poor bone growth, and weak tooth enamel.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) assists in the functioning of the digestive system, skin, and nerves. It is also important for the conversion of food to energy. Peaches contain Calcium, which helps with sleep and eases insomnia and helps regulate the passage of nutrients through cell walls. Calcium is necessary for muscles contracting properly, blood-clotting functions and for nerves carry messages. Insufficient calcium from foods mean the body automatically takes the calcium needed from bones. Deficiency may result in muscle spasms and cramps in the short term and osteoporosis longer term. Peaches also contain Copper, Phosphorus, Potassium and Selenium. Copper is needed for the absorption, storage and metabolism of iron and the formation of red blood cells. It also helps supply oxygen to the body. Phosphorus, in conjunction with calcium, is necessary for the formation of bones and teeth and of the nerve cells. Phosphorus is second to calcium in abundance in the body. Potassium is an essential mineral for the growth and maintenance of the body. It is needed to maintain a normal water balance between the cells and body fluids. Potassium also plays an essential role in proper heart function. Deficiency may cause muscular cramps, twitching and weakness, irregular heartbeat, insomnia, kidney and lung failure. Selenium is a part of several enzymes necessary for proper body function. In general, selenium chief function is as an antioxidant working in conjunction with vitamin E.
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