Unlock Secrets to Better Health with Fresh Fruit!

Nothing tastes as sweet and refreshing as a ripe and juicy piece of fresh fruit! Watermelon and grapes in the summer, strawberries and mangoes in the spring, apples and pears in the fall, and oranges and grapefruits in the winter: what could be better?

Well, it does get better! Consuming fruits is loaded with health benefits. When you’re getting your recommended servings in, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that your overall health improves in a relatively short time.

Health experts recommend a minimum of two servings of fruit per day to benefit from all of the nutrients that fruit offers – Fiber, carotenoids, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, zinc, and much more.

So, how does fruit benefit your health exactly? Let’s take a look:

Controls Blood Sugar Levels

Many fruits can help control blood sugar levels. For example, numerous studies link the intake of berries like raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries with improved blood sugar regulation. Berries are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making them an ideal choice for individuals who need to manage their blood sugar.

Nutritionists also recommend that people with type II diabetes add fruits like oranges, bananas, avocados, cherries, and apples into their daily diet to help balance sugar levels in the bloodstream, which are a result of a low glycemic index.

Regulates Blood Pressure

Because they contain nutrients like potassium, fiber, and antioxidants, fruits are beneficial for managing blood pressure. When you consume fruits such as bananas, oranges, melons, and raisins, they can help to lower your blood pressure.

Anthocyanins were also shown to reduce the risk of hypertension by 8 to 12 percent in a 14-year study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Anthocyanins are a group of antioxidants found in red, purple, and blue fruits. These compounds improve vascular function, which reduces inflammation in the vessels and improves blood flow.

Promotes Bone Health

Calcium and vitamin K are important nutrients needed to ensure bone density. Strong bones are important as we age to protect against conditions like fractures, rickets, and osteoporosis. Incorporating grapefruit, avocado, and apricot into your diet will help you maintain healthy levels of vitamin K, helping prevent the onset of bone disorders.

Improves Cardiovascular Health

Nutrients like magnesium, potassium, carotenoids, flavonoids, dietary fiber, and vitamins A, C, E, and B6 are all essential to combat factors that contribute to cardiovascular problems, including stroke and hypertension. The good news is that you can obtain sufficient amounts of these nutrients from eating more fruit, specifically berries, apples, apricots, and cantaloupes. Fruit will also help to regulate cholesterol levels in your body as well.

Promotes Healthy Skin and Hair Growth

Who doesn’t want healthier skin and increased hair growth? Fruits are just what the doctor ordered! Regular consumption of fresh fruits provides a healthy dose of vitamins C and E, along with zinc and folate. These nutrients nourish the skin, leaving it firm and smooth.

Minerals like zinc, magnesium, and potassium work to strengthen hair follicles and prevent breakage. Adding avocado, banana, and melons into your diet to boost your intake of these natural minerals will promote healthy hair growth.

Boosts Energy Levels

We all could use an extra boost of energy, and fruit is here to help you achieve that. Fruits are loaded with nutrients that will boost your metabolic rate and immunity helping you feel more energetic.

Lower Cancer Risk

Diets higher in fruits are linked to a lower risk of cancer. Fruits are full of phytochemicals and nutrients like carotenoids and folate, which are thought to aid in cancer prevention. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, there is solid evidence that a higher intake of fruit may protect against cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, lung, and stomach. Some evidence also lends credence to the thought that fruit may help reduce the risk of pancreatic, liver, and colorectal cancer as well.

So, what are you waiting for? Go enjoy some of your favorite fruit. Fruits of all kinds make for a healthy breakfast, side dish, or even dessert. To give your fruit an extra burst of sweetness while recouping its health benefits, sprinkle a dash of stevia on top.