Eating a range of fruits provides the body with nutrients and antioxidants that can boost overall health and reduce the risk of disease. Good choices include oranges, blueberries, apples, avocados, and bananas, but there are many more to choose from.
Fruits are an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals, and they are high in fiber. Fruits also provide a wide range of health-boosting antioxidants, including flavonoids.
Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables can reduce a person’s risk of developing heart disease, cancer, inflammation, and diabetes. Citrus fruits and berries may be especially powerful for preventing disease.
A 2014 study ranked “powerhouse” fruit and vegetables by high nutrient density and low calories. Lemons came out top of the list, followed by strawberry, orange, lime, and pink and red grapefruit.
In this article, we look at the nutrition and the many and varied health benefits of these and other fruits you can find in the supermarket.
- Lemons
Lemons contain vitamin C and other antioxidants that benefit health.
Lemons are a citrus fruit that people often use in traditional remedies because of their health benefits. Like other citrus fruits, they contain vitamin C and other antioxidants.
Antioxidants are essential for human health. These compounds mop up free radicals in the body that can damage the body’s cells and lead to diseases, such as cancers.
Researchers believe that the flavonoids in lemon and other citrus fruits have antibacterial, anticancer, and antidiabetic properties.
Citrus fruits, including lemons, contain active components called phytochemicals that benefit health. These include:
vitamin C
folic acid
potassium
pectin
The juice from one 48 g lemon contains the following nutrients in grams (g) or milligrams (mg):
11 calories
3.31 g carbohydrate
49 mg potassium
18.6 mg vitamin C
3 mg calcium
0.1 g of fiber
Lemons also contain thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, folate, and vitamin A.
How to eat lemons
Use the juice of a lemon to flavor drinking water or squeeze over a salad or fish. Try adding lemon juice to boiling water with a teaspoon of honey to help soothe a sore throat. It is also possible to eat the rind of organic lemons. Some people use the rind in recipes.
- Strawberries
Strawberries are a juicy, red fruit with a high water content. The seeds provide plenty of dietary fiber per serving. Strawberries contain many healthful vitamins and minerals.
Of particular note, they contain anthocyanins, which are flavonoids that can help boost heart health. The fiber and potassium in strawberries can also support a healthy heart.
In one studyTrusted Source, women who ate 3 or more servings per week of strawberries and blueberries — which are both known for their high anthocyanin content — had a lower risk of having a heart attack than those with lower intake.
Strawberries and other colorful berries also contain a flavonoid called quercetin. This is a natural anti-inflammatory compound.
A serving of 3 large strawberries provides the following nutrients:
17 calories
4.15 g carbohydrate
1.1 g of fiber
9 mg of calcium
7 mg of magnesium
83 mg of potassium
31.8 mg of vitamin C
Strawberries also contain thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, and vitamins B-6, A and K.
How to eat strawberries
Strawberries are a versatile fruit. People can eat them raw or add them to breakfast cereals or yogurt, blend them into a smoothie, or make them into jam.
- Oranges
Oranges are a sweet, round citrus fruit packed with vitamins and minerals.
Oranges are among the richest sources of vitamin C, with one medium fruit providing 117 percent of a person’s daily value of vitamin C.
A 141 g orange also contains the following nutrients:
65 calories
16.27 g carbohydrate
3.4 g of fiber
61 mg of calcium
14 mg of magnesium
238 mg of potassium
63.5 mg of vitamin C
Vitamin C acts as a powerful antioxidant in the body. This vitamin is also essential for immune system function. It boosts immune function by helping the body to absorb iron from plant-based foods.
The human body cannot make vitamin C itself, so people need to get this vitamin from their diet. Oranges also contain high levels of pectin, which is a fiber that can keep the colon healthy by binding to chemicals that can cause cancer and removing them from the colon.
Oranges also provide the following healthful vitamins:
vitamin A, a compound that is important for healthy skin and eyesight
B-vitamins, including thiamin and folate, which help keep the nervous and reproductive systems healthy and help create red blood cells.
How to eat oranges
People can eat oranges on their own as a refreshing snack or by drinking a glass of pure orange juice. Juice oranges at home or choose a brand of fresh juice whose label states it is not from concentrate.
People can also grate orange peel into a salad, yogurt, or as a cereal topping to add extra flavor.
- Limes
Limes are a sour citrus fruit that provide a range of health benefits.
Like other citrus fruits, limes provide a healthful dose of vitamin C. They also have similar health benefits, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties.
The juice of one lime provides the following nutrients:
11 calories
3.7 g carbohydrate
6 g calcium
4 mg magnesium
51 mg potassium
13.2 mg vitamin C
How to eat limes
Limes work well in savory foods. Try adding the juice or grated peel of a lime to flavor salad dressings or rice dishes. Otherwise, juice a lime and add to hot or cold water for a refreshing drink.
- Grapefruit
Grapefruits contain flavonoids, which can help protect against some cancers, inflammation, and obesity.
Grapefruits are sour fruits full of health-inducing vitamins and minerals. Grapefruits can be pink, red, or white.
Half a grapefruit contains the following nutrients:
52 calories
13.11 g carbohydrate
2.0 g fiber
27 g calcium
11 g magnesium
166 g potassium
38.4 g vitamin C
The flavonoids in grapefruits can help protect against some cancers, inflammation, and obesity.
A review study suggests the compounds called furanocoumarins found in grapefruits can help protect against oxidative stress and tumors and may support healthy bones.
Some research from this review suggests that grapefruit furanocoumarins may have anticancer properties, which may be especially effective against breast cancer, skin cancer, and leukemia. Researchers still need to carry out more studies on animals and humans to confirm these properties.
People may wish to see a doctor before adding grapefruit to their diet, as it can interact with certain medications.
How to eat grapefruit
Try adding grapefruit slices to a fruit salad, or squeeze the juice into water to make a drink. Otherwise, people can buy pure grapefruit juice from the supermarket.
- Blackberries
Like other berries, blackberries contain health-boosting anthocyanins.
Blackberries contain many seeds, so they have a high fiber content. This means they can help improve gut health and heart health.
Half a cup of blackberries contains the following nutrients:
31 calories
6.92 g carbohydrate
3.8 g fiber
21 mg calcium
14 mg magnesium
117 mg potassium
15.1 mg vitamin C
How to eat blackberries
People can eat blackberries fresh, add them to yogurt for breakfast or dessert, or add frozen blackberries to smoothies.
- Apples
Apples make a quick and easy addition to the diet. Eat them with the skin on for the greatest health benefits.
Apples are high-fiber fruits, meaning that eating them could boost heart health and promote weight loss. The pectin in apples helps to maintain good gut health.
One medium apple contains the following nutrients:
95 calories
25.13 g of carbohydrate
4.4 g of fiber
195 mg of potassium
11 mg calcium
8.4 mg vitamin C
Research has shown that there is a link between eating apples regularly and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and diabetes.
Apples also have high levels of quercetin, a flavonoid which may have anti-cancer properties.
One study found that people who ate whole apples were 30 percent less likely to be obese than those who did not. This can lower the risk for diabetes and heart disease.
How to eat apples
Raw apples make a great snack and combining them with almond butter helps balance protein and fat intake. People can also add raw or stewed apples to yogurt, or use applesauce in cooking.
- Pomegranate
Many people consider pomegranates to be a ‘super food.’ They are high in antioxidants and polyphenols, which help to combat the oxidative stress that can cause disease in the body.
Eat pomegranates with the seeds to get the fiber benefits.
One raw pomegranate contains:
234 calories
52.73 g of carbohydrate
11.3 g of fiber
666 mg of potassium
28 mg calcium
28.8 mg vitamin C
One pomegranate also contains 46.2 micrograms (mcg) of the recommended 80 mcg daily allowance of vitamin K. This vitamin is essential for strong bones and healthy blood cells.
A review study about the health benefits of pomegranates suggests that they have anti-inflammatory effects and may help protect against brain-related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. This may be because pomegranates contain particularly high levels of polyphenols.
Research discussed in this review also suggests that pomegranates may restrict the growth of human prostate cancer cells.
How to eat pomegranate
Pomegranates can make a great addition to salads, or to couscous or rice dishes. Pomegranates are sweet, so people can also add them to yogurt and fruit salads.
- Pineapple
Pineapple is an exotic fruit that may help reduce inflammation and promote healthy tissue growth.
Pineapple contains an active compound called bromelain, which many people take as a dietary supplement because of its potential health benefits.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health state that bromelain can help with reducing nasal inflammation or sinusitis. However, scientists need to carry out more research into its benefits for osteoarthritis and its anticancer potential.
Pineapples contain manganese, which the body uses to build bone and tissue. A medium slice of pineapple also contains the following nutrients:
42 calories
11.02 g carbohydrate
1.2 g fiber
92 mg potassium
40.2 mg vitamin C
11 mg calcium
How to eat pineapple
People can enjoy fresh pineapple by itself or in fruit salads. They can also use pineapple to make a tropical salsa or add it as a topping on fish tacos. Try adding frozen pineapple to smoothies.
- Bananas
Bananas are rich in potassium, which helps the body control heart rate and blood pressure.
Bananas are well known for their high potassium content. A medium banana 422 mg of the adequate adult intake of 4,500 mg of potassium. Potassium helps the body control heart rate and blood pressure.
Bananas are also a good source of energy, with one banana containing 105 calories and 26.95 g of carbohydrate.
The 3.1 g of fiber in a regular banana can also help with regular bowel movements and stomach issues, such as ulcers and colitis.
A medium banana also contains the following nutrients:
1.29 g protein
6 mg calcium
32 mg magnesium
10.3 mg vitamin C
How to eat bananas
A banana is an excellent fruit to use to thicken a smoothie. People can also use them in baking as a natural sweetener or to make banana bread or pancakes.
- Avocado
Many people refer to avocados as a super food because of their healthful qualities.
Avocados are rich in oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat which helps lower cholesterol levels. The American Heart Association say that maintaining healthy cholesterol levels with healthful fats could reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Like bananas, avocados are rich in potassium. They also contain lutein, an antioxidant which is important for healthy eyes and skin.
Half an avocado contains the following nutrients:
161 calories
2.01 g protein
8.57 g carbohydrate
6.7 g fiber
12 mg calcium
29 mg magnesium
487 mg potassium
10.1 mg vitamin C
Avocados also contain folate, vitamin A, and beta-carotene.
How to eat avocado
People can add avocado to salads, or mix with lime, garlic, and tomatoes to make guacamole. Add avocado to smoothies or hummus, or use avocado instead of other fats in baking.
- Blueberries
Blueberries are another superfood that can provide many health benefits.
Like strawberries, blueberries contain anthocyanin, which is a powerful antioxidant. Because of this, they might protect against heart disease, stroke, cancers, and other diseases.
Blueberries also contain pterostilbene, a compound that may help prevent plaque from collecting in the arteries.
Half a cup of blueberries provides the following nutrients:
42 calories
10.72 g carbohydrate
1.8 g fiber
4 mg calcium
57 mg potassium
7.2 mg vitamin C
How to eat blueberries
Fresh or frozen blueberries are a great addition to breakfast cereals, desserts, yogurt, or smoothies.
Source: /www.medicalnewstoday.com
