Fruit, along with vegetables, should form the cornerstone of your diet. However, the reality is that only 12% of adults consume between one and a half and two cups of fruit each day.
What are the healthiest fruits? Choice no. 1, according to a dietician
These are the top 15 healthiest fruits to add to your diet.
There is no denying that fruits are healthy. They contain fiber, essential vitamins and minerals, antioxidants and other substances that protect against chronic diseases, from heart disease to cancer or mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.
The healthiest fruit
Blueberries are considered the healthiest. Blueberries’ stunning hue comes from their anthocyanins – an antioxidant believed to be responsible for their many benefits. Long-term studies suggest that including blueberries in your regular diet can reduce the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Blueberries can also improve cognitive performance.
Additional research suggests that a high intake of blueberries can help you maintain a healthy weight. A study of healthy female twins found that the twin who ate more blueberries had lower body fat compared to the twin who ate less. In addition, high anthocyanin intake was associated with 3% to 9% lower body fat mass and less belly fat.
Here are 15 of the healthiest fruits:
There’s a whole world of fruit to explore, so while blueberries are linked to multiple benefits, there’s no need to ignore other fruits. Eating a variety of fruits provides a spectrum of essential nutrients, making it more likely that you will get your daily needs of various vitamins and minerals.
In addition, research suggests that a wider intake of fruits and vegetables per week contributes to a diverse gut microbiome, a marker of a healthy gut. Since all roads to health begin with a healthy gut, changing your fruit intake is an excellent strategy.
Strawberries
Just 8 of these red fruits will give you all the vitamin C you need in a day. Vitamin C is an antioxidant involved in immunity and collagen production. There is also evidence that they can reduce markers of inflammation and improve total and LDL cholesterol among people with high baseline levels.
Raspberry
One cup of raspberries contains 8 grams of the 25-38 grams of fiber recommended daily. They also provide key nutrients such as magnesium, potassium and vitamin C. They are also rich in ellagic acid and quercetin, antioxidants that protect cells from disease-causing damage.
Avocado
Although we often eat them as a smart fat for the heart, avocados are technically a fruit. Much of their fat is monounsaturated, a predominant type found in extra virgin olive oil, a staple of the ultra-healthy Mediterranean diet. One study found that replacing some of the carbohydrates in a meal with either half an avocado or a whole avocado was associated with more improvements in markers of heart health among overweight and obese people.
Melon
Watermelon may taste sweet, but one cup of this juicy fruit has less natural sugar than the same serving of many other fruits, including blueberries. Watermelon and 100% watermelon juice are notable for a compound called l-citrulline, which has been shown to reduce muscle soreness after exercise. Watermelon is also a good choice after exercise as it is about 90% water.
dates
One thing that makes dates so special is that they are sweet and caramelized, but have no added sugar and are low on the glycemic index. Dates have been associated with impressive benefits, including supporting brain and gut health. In addition, a small study among people with type 2 diabetes found that they can help lower total cholesterol and raise healthy HDL cholesterol without affecting blood sugar levels.
Prunes
Many people think of prunes for their impact on digestive health, but their effect on bone health is also worth mentioning. One study found that 5-6 prunes a day preserved bone mass among postmenopausal women, while those who skipped this daily habit experienced a decrease in bone mass.
Kiwi
In addition to providing more than 100% of your daily vitamin C needs, kiwi can support better sleep, digestion and mood. A wide range of nutrients, antioxidants and bioactive substances are believed to be related to the health benefits of this fruit.
Cherries
Like kiwi, cherries have the potential to help you sleep better. Studies also indicate that cherries can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress factors involved in the initiation and promotion of many chronic diseases. Consuming cherries can also reduce exercise-induced muscle pain.
Banana
Bananas get a bad rap, but we consider them one of the healthiest fruits because they’re packed with nutrients, including fiber, potassium, copper, magnesium and vitamin B6.
Mere
An apple a day really can keep the doctor away. In addition to providing fiber, apples contain powerful antioxidants. Daily intake of this fruit has been shown to lower blood pressure, total cholesterol, unhealthy LDL cholesterol, and inflammation, while increasing good HDL cholesterol and supporting healthy endothelial function—a measure of how well the lining of blood vessels works.
Grapefruit
Vitamin C in grapefruit helps promote collagen production, which supports skin health and helps prevent wrinkles and sagging skin. Collagen also supports the healthy functioning of the immune system. This juicy fruit can also be an excellent weapon against cancer. Compounds in grapefruit may have anticancer properties, and studies on vitamin C suggest that people with high intakes have a lower incidence of many types of cancer, including bladder, breast, lung, pancreatic and prostate cancer.
However, consuming grapefruit while taking certain prescription medications can cause serious health problems, so a doctor should be consulted.
Pomegranate
The chemical compounds in pomegranate act as an internal sunscreen, protecting against UVB rays. Other potential benefits of consuming pomegranate and its juice include improved memory, protection against cancer, lower blood pressure, and less muscle soreness and fatigue after exercise.
Pere
The high fiber content of pears promotes digestive health, blood sugar control, heart health and weight management. In addition, eating two pears a day improves parameters of metabolic health among people with metabolic syndrome.
Mure
In addition to being high in fiber, compounds in blackberries have antiviral and antibacterial properties that target germs associated with tooth decay and gum disease. Additionally, evidence suggests that blackberries may help promote insulin sensitivity and protect against obesity.
Mango
Carotenoid compounds give the golden color and are linked to the health benefits of mangoes. Two of these nutrients—lutein and zeaxanthin—promote better vision, while a third, mangiferin, protects against cancer. Early research also suggests that this nutrient may help reduce acne.
It is good to eat fresh, frozen, dried and unsweetened fruit.
A small amount of 100% fruit juice such as orange or grapefruit juice can fit into healthy eating patterns and help you meet your nutritional needs.
Are there unhealthy fruits?
Many people are concerned about the sugar in fruit, but the sugar found naturally in fruit is very different from the sugar added to processed foods. Research shows that it is beneficial to include fruit in your diet, so you don’t have to worry that certain fruits are unhealthy because they are high in natural sugar.
The best fruits for weight loss
While some diets, such as keto and carnivores, avoid fruit, evidence suggests that fruit can help maintain a healthy weight. The fiber in fruit contributes to the feeling of satiety, helping you eat the right amount for your body’s needs, while also providing beneficial bacteria to the gut.
The gut is involved in nutrient absorption and weight regulation, so fruit can help support weight control through its role in gut health. Low-calorie, low-nutrient fruits can also replace high-calorie, processed snacks. The bottom line is that any fruit is a good choice for weight loss, he notes today.com.
2024-02-21 19:45:01
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