Many of us eat fruits without recognizing their benefits. At the same time, there are millions more who should be incorporating more fruit into their diets. While some are great for weight loss, others are perfect to combat high blood pressure, or even aide with digestion. Fruit is perfect when served individually, in a salad, or even as an ingredient to the main course.
Apple
They say an apple a day keeps the doctors away. Apples have antioxidants called flavonoids, which may help lower the chance of developing diabetes and asthma. Apples are also a natural mouth freshener; cleaning your teeth with each crunchy bite. 1 medium apple contains 75 calories, 3 g fiber Plus. Eat your apple with the skin on, as the vitamins lie just beneath the skin.
Banana
There are 422 milligrams of potassium per banana. This lovely fruit contains more potassium than most fruits, and may help lower blood pressure levels. One medium banana is packed with 105 calories, 3 g fiber, and source of vitamin B6, potassium and folate.
Blue Berries
Blueberries rank No. 1 in antioxidant activity when compared to 60 other fresh fruits and vegetables. Blueberries can help lower the risk of developing age-related diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe is high in beta-carotene, an antioxidant. This may help reduce the risk of developing cataracts. Cantaloupe is a great diet food since it has approximately half the calories of many other fruits.
Cranberries
Cranberries are antibacterial. Studies have shown that they can help treat and prevent urinary tract infections. Recent research has also linked cranberries to the prevention of kidney stones and ulcers.
Dried Fig
Dried figs are high in fiber, figs may help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Grapes
Grapes contain resveratrol. This is an antioxidant that could possibly help prevent heart disease by reducing blood pressure levels and lowering the risk of blood clots. Resveratrol may also help stop the spread of breast, stomach and colon cancer cells.
Orange
This delicious fruit is wonderful if you’re pregnant. Oranges are a great provider of folate, which an important vitamin for pregnant women that can help prevent neural tube defects in their infants. Oranges are also packed with a phytochemical called hesperidin, which may lower triglyceride and blood cholesterol levels.
Pineapple
Pineapples are one of my personal favorites. This tasty fruit contains a natural enzyme called bromelain. Bromelain breaks down protein and helps aid digestion. Bromelain may also help prevent blood clots, inhibit growth of cancer cells and speed wound healing.
Strawberries
Strawberries are rich in several antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory properties. Strawberries can help to prevent atherosclerosis (hardened arteries) and to suppress the progression of cancerous tumors.
So go ahead and incorporate fruit into your daily diet, or order that special someone those Edible Arrangements for your next gift. It would be a great practice to try consuming 1-5 pieces of fruit daily. You should also know that these are just ten fruit recomendations. There are plenty more with amazing health benefits. Watermelon, lemons, black berries, and papaya are just a few that are also extremely healthy.