Fruit are a common source of vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber that our body needs in order to function properly. Its consumption has been linked to some fascinating health advantages. Let’s dive into the details.
Red Apples May Prevent Dementia
A study from the US National Institutes of Health published in 2018 suggested that people who consumed four servings of red apples per week had a 34% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who did not eat apples regularly. Why might this be the case? The fruit contain compounds called polyphenols that have strong anti-oxidant properties. Oxidative stress has been shown to play a very important role in the development of dementia. Free radicals are molecules that can damage cells in our body, and excessive amounts of these molecules have been associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Oxidative stress is more prominent as we age, so protecting our brains against it is crucial to keeping our minds sharp as we get older.
Bananas May Help Prevent Kidney Stones
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can have protective effects on both the joints and the kidneys. A study from the US National Institutes of Health looked at the diets of 11,000 men and women and found that those who regularly ate bananas were 42% less likely to suffer from kidney stones compared to those who rarely or never ate the fruit. The results were consistent even after the researchers adjusted for confounding factors like age, gender, and diet soda intake. Bananas are a source of potassium that might help to keep the fluid in our bodies in check. Too much fluid can cause damage to our joints and lead to kidney stones. Our kidneys help us filter waste products out of our bloodstream, so having healthy kidneys is important for maintaining good health.
Pomegranates May Benefit Heart Health
There is some evidence that eating pomegranates might help to protect our hearts. The fruit contain antioxidants called polyphenols which have strong anti-inflammatory properties. Pomegranate juice has been shown in human trials to lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. There is also a possibility that the fruit might help to prevent platelet aggregation or thrombus formation. Thrombus can cause heart attacks and strokes, so it is always a good idea to look for natural remedies to protect our health.
Blueberries Might Help Prevent Cancer
An antioxidant pigment in blueberries called anthocyanins have been shown in lab experiments to have strong anti-cancer properties. When food scientists added anthocyanins to human cells in a lab, they found that these compounds stopped the growth of colon and breast cancer cells in the laboratory. Anthocyanins have also been found to sensitize (or make more sensitive) cancer cells to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. While more research is needed, blueberries are a natural source of antioxidants that might help to protect our bodies against cancerous growths.
Grapefruit May Be Useful In Treating Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
While we have not yet been able to develop a panacea for hepatitis C virus (HCV), many people are getting great benefits from grapefruit in treating their HCV infections. Scientists in Australia examined the effects of grapefruit in 35 patients and found that it significantly reduced liver enzymes among those who were previously uninfected and helped to clear the virus from their bodies in patients with existing HCV. The findings were published in November 2018 in the medical journal Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases. Grapefruit is a common source of vitamin C and citric acid which have both been shown to boost the immune system. Its consumption might also help prevent the virus from replicating itself within the body.
Dried Fruit Can Be Prebiotic Fiber
Dried fruit are often overlooked as a source of nutrients, but they can be a healthy choice when eaten in moderation. For example, dried figs contain a type of fiber called inulin that has prebiotic (or good bacteria) properties. The fruit are a good source of fiber that provides bulk to the digestive system and helps to nourish our bodies. They also contain antioxidants and other compounds that nourish our cells and give them a shiny sheen.
Mixing Fruits And Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables should be included in our diet to provide essential nutrients and beneficial antioxidants, but it is often difficult to achieve a perfect mix. A US study found that eating combinations of different types of fruits and vegetables improved the antioxidant capabilities of the diet compared to eating one type of fruit or vegetable in isolation. Combining certain ingredients in a dish can boost the overall health-promoting properties of the food, so it is always a good idea to experiment with new recipes.
Some of the recipes below combine several of these wonderful fruits and vegetables in one dish, so you can feel confident that you are nourishing your body with all the essentials.
A Simple Tropical Mix
This is a simple mix of fruit that will leave you feeling recharged and ready to take on the day. The natural sweetness of the fruit is balanced out by the tang from the lime, so you get a combination of citrus and tropical fruits that will make you feel like you are in the tropics. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that your body does not produce itself, but it can be found in very low concentrations in mature fruit. The lime contains a type of fiber that helps to improve digestion, and the grapefruit is a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants that help protect us from damage and disease within our bodies.
A Recipe For Those Who Love To Grill
Grilling is a great way to prepare many types of fruit, and the resulting flavors are often fantastic. You can prepare apple pie with Granny Smiths, for example, by grilling them along with the onions and sugar until the pastry is golden brown. You can also prepare blackberries and blueberries, adding them along with the other ingredients to the grill to give them some charred flavor. You can then remove the fruit with a slotted spoon and place them on a plate to serve.
A Sweet And Tender Summer Fruit Salad
This is a great option for a warm day, as the tomatoes and cucumbers offer great relief from the heat and the strawberries and cherries add a touch of sweet juiciness to the mix. Tender fruit is a great way to describe fruit that are almost at their peak, like the strawberries and cherries in this example. If you are a fan of tomato sauce, you can give this recipe a try, as the fruit will soak up the flavor from the tomato.
The Bottom Line
Fruit are a common source of vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber that our body needs in order to function properly. Its consumption has been linked to some fascinating health advantages. Let’s dive into the details.