By Andra Picincu
Ever wonder why health experts recommend eating fruits every day? What’s so special about these foods anyway? After all, vegetables, legumes, and nuts are loaded with nutrition too.
Well, fruits contain phytonutrients that are not found in other foods. Plus, they’re higher in vitamins than most veggies. Rich in fiber, they slow sugar absorption into your bloodstream and boost your energy levels.
Need more proof? Let’s see why fruits are so good for you!
How Do Fruits Help?
Bananas, apples, berries, oranges, and other fruits are a nutrition powerhouse. They provide large amounts of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants with cancer-fighting properties. Additionally, they’re natural and low in calories. The only exception is dried fruit, which boasts more sugar than varieties.
Less than 21 percent of adults consume enough fruits on a daily basis. This puts them at risk for nutrient deficiencies, sluggish digestion, and metabolic disorders.
The fiber in fruits keeps your digestive system running smoothly and prevents insulin spikes. These foods also contain powerful antioxidants that scavenge oxidative stress, slow down aging, and inhibit tumor growth.
Grapefruit, for instance, has been found to prevent kidney stones and lower cholesterol levels. It also promotes satiety and helps with weight loss.
Athletes and active individuals eat bananas after training to restore their electrolyte levels and recover faster from exercise. Rich in potassium and complex carbs, these fruits improve glucose control and support cardiovascular health.
Mangos contain zeaxanthin, an antioxidant that promotes eye health and may prevent macular degeneration. This delicious fruit is also high in polyphenols that protect against leukemia, breast, lung, and colon cancers.
How to Add More Fruits to Your Diet
Now that you know the benefits of eating fruits, you might wonder how to include them in your diet. Perhaps you’re not crazy about their flavor. Or maybe you don’t have time to snack on fruits all day long.
The key is to be creative. Replace your go-to snacks with a serving of berries, a banana, or an orange. Add fruits to your favorite recipes, whether it’s cake, pie, or homemade ice cream. Since they’re naturally sweet, they can replace sugar in most desserts.
Commit yourself to eating fruits every day. If you’re on a day, opt for low-sugar varieties like blueberries, strawberries, or avocado.
Add fruits to oatmeal, Greek yogurt, pancakes, muffins, and other breakfast recipes. Smoothies and fruit purees are a healthy choice too as long as you prepare them yourself. These small changes can go a long way toward better health!
