We’ve all heard that we should be eating more fresh fruit and vegetables each day. After all, it’s natural to eat, well, naturally! However, some people worry that the natural sugars found in fruit may be offsetting to specific diets they may be on.
We’re here to help dispel a few myths about fruit, as well as to confirm a few fun nutritional facts about fruit. Read on for the full, juicy lowdown!
1. There’s very little fat in fruit.
One great reason to eat fruit regularly is that it’s extremely low in fat. However, some amount of fat is healthy for you. Fruit is also very low in protein.
2. But, be careful with fibre…
However, fruit is generally very high in dietary fibre, which we all need to live healthily. Apples, for example, are thought to be rich in fibre, and that will help consumers who have high cholesterol.
3. Antioxidants – are they worth it?
Many fruits are high in antioxidants, which will help to empower your immune system. These fruits tend to be very high in Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Therefore, many nutritionists will recommend you eat at least one fruit that’s high in A, and one in C per day.
4. Here’s the C bunch…
Fruits high in Vitamin C include oranges, apricots, blueberries, pineapples, and kiwis.
5. And the A-Team!
Fruits high in Vitamin A include watermelon, mango, apricots, peaches, and guava.
6. Go blue to feel like new.
‘Blue fruits’ are also thought to be rich in antioxidants. Therefore, a diet replete with blackberries and blueberries could help to protect your body against infections and cancerous growths.
7. Mix it up!
It’s also very healthy to mix dry fruits, such as raisins and figs, with fresh fruit. That’s because it’s thought a good mix could help to aid your digestion.
8. Wash your fruit – trust us on this!
It’s always healthy to wash fruit before you prepare and eat them. That’s because you should make sure that chemicals and dirt are removed before you consume them.
9. Ever tried the grapefruit diet?
Different fruits have different health benefits. Grapefruit, for example, is said to be great for weight loss and may help you to lower your cholesterol.
However, you will need to be very careful with grapefruit. If you eat it while taking specific medications, the consequences could be fatal. Check with your doctor!
10. Apples can give you a boost.
Apples are also fantastic for your metabolism. That’s because they are rich in pectin, which helps to maintain gut bacteria that is actually helpful.
11. Potassium’s always a-peeling.
Bananas, of course, are extremely high in potassium. They are also extremely starchy, which means that they can help you feel fuller for longer.
12. Get up and moving… with a banana?
Bananas may also be a great pre-workout snack, as they are great for healthy carbs and minerals.
13. Watermelon is amazingly refreshing.
Many people have relied on watermelon for hydration across long walks and journeys. When water isn’t readily available, it’s thought that you can consume watermelon and stay fully hydrated. This is helped by the fact that around 92% of these melons are water!
14. Be wary of added sugar.
Canned fruit can be just as good as fresh; however, it is more likely to contain added sugars. These are sugars you want to avoid – sweeteners are not good for you, while a certain amount of naturally-occurring sugars in fruit are less harmful.
FAQs about Fruit
How many types of fruits are there?
Believe it or not, there’s thought to be in excess of 2,000 different types of fruit - staggering!
What’s the healthiest fruit?
All fruit have different benefits to your diet. However, oranges, apples and berries tend to come top of the list for sheer nutritional value.
What’s the rarest fruit of them all?
Of all fruit growing in the wild, it’s very difficult to find jackfruit or durian!
Do you know any fun facts about fruit? Share them in the comments below!