It tastes so good…plus
- Fruits are important sources of many nutrients, including potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin C, and folate (folic acid).
Diets rich in potassium may help to maintain healthy blood pressure. Fruit sources of potassium include bananas, prunes and prune juice, dried peaches and apricots, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, and orange juice.
Dietary fiber from fruits helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and may lower risk of heart disease. Fiber is important for regularity. It helps reduce constipation and diverticulosis. Whole or cut-up fruits are sources of dietary fiber while fruit juices contain little or no fiber.
Vitamin C is important for growth and repair of all body tissues, helps heal cuts and wounds, and keeps teeth and gums healthy.
Folate (folic acid) helps the body form red blood cells. Women of childbearing age who may become pregnant and those in the first trimester of pregnancy should consume adequate folate, including folic acid from fortified foods or supplements. This reduces the risk of problems during fetal development.
- Fruit contains large quantities of water. The human body consists of 80% water. It’s just logical to eat food that contains lots of water.
- Fruits helps stimulate your brain power. They contains natural sugars that help you think faster and more clearly.
- Fruit can help with weight control. Eating foods such as fruits that are low in calories per cup instead of some other higher-calorie food may be useful in helping lower calorie intake, thereby helping take off weight. In addition, fiber-containing fruits help provide a feeling of fullness with fewer calories.
- Fruit is readily available. Enjoy the color, texture, and the taste of the wide variety of fruits on the market.
Now, what’s in your refrigerator? or on the counter? apples? bananas? oranges? oh,my.
To your health and the health of your family,
Lee Jackson, CFCS
Author: From the Apple Orchard – Recipes for Apple Lovers
Apples, Apples, Everywhere – Favorite Recipes From America’s Orchards
Careers in Focus: Family and Consumer Sciences
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