What’s the Healthiest Piece of Fruit?
All fruit is healthy and as they say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but this can be said of any fruit. The healthiest fruit for you may depend on where you live, what is in season (there are always apples I’ve found) and how you feel. By this I mean that different fruit can help with different health problems.
In general berries, particularly black berries such as bilberries, blueberries and blackberries contain anthocyanins and vitamins and minerals which can help prevent cancers, because of their antioxidant properties, as well as keeping us healthy. Fruit has no cholesterol and berries can help lower blood cholesterol levels as well as helping improve vision, and delaying the onset of Age-Related Macular Degeneration.
Black grapes contain substances such as resveratrol and the vitamins and minerals provide antioxidant actions and, of course, red wine does too, which I regard as being the finished product of grapes. Red fruit, including the tomato contains lycopene, so watermelons, raspberries, strawberries and apricots can help protect against prostate cancer and breast cancer, among others.
Citrus fruit contains vitamin C and I have found that lemons provide an excellent source of this vitamin which the body can retain. If it is winter, then eating a piece of citrus fruit every day can help boost the immune system and help reduce the incidence of getting colds and flu. If you have a cold already vitamin C will help get rid of its symptoms more quickly.
Personally I love mangos which are packed full of flavour, vitamins and minerals which are essential for health and which for me certainly have a feel-good factor. Unfortunately these are summer fruits and so in winter I rely on kinnow mandarins and lemons, along with pommelo and grapefruit for my vitamin C intake. I also have tomatoes in most dishes and salads containing them as they are fresh all year round here in Pakistan.
Kiwi fruit are also healthy and can be obtained all year round and these small brown hairy fruit with their beautiful green flesh are one of the so-called super-fruit. Bananas are a rich source of potassium which is necessary for healthy nerve function, muscle control and it can lower blood pressure. Bananas are not the only fruit rich in potassium, but they are readily available and easy to eat. They are good if you have an upset stomach and can help whatever the problem, whether it is constipation that is bothering you or diarrhea. Young children can be given banana milkshakes or mashed bananas with milk and they generally like the taste.
Eat the fruit that is in season where you live and this will probably help you fight off any seasonal illnesses as it seems that nature provides food which we need at particular times; citrus fruit are in season in the winter months for example when colds are flu are prevalent.
Eat the fruit your body tells you it needs and you won’t go far wrong. Just remember to have a couple of pieces of fruit every day as it contains dietary fibre which helps keep your digestive system working. Fruit also has many protective health benefits and should be eaten every day along with fresh vegetables and sources of protein. A well-balanced diet is very important for continued good health.
