If you want a sweet treat that also gives you numerous health benefits; then nothing beats the power of super fruits which are high in antioxidants and vitamin content. For those who have created a resolution to shed excess weight, like most people do at the beginning of a brand new season, you will need to be cautious about your food consumption, including the fruits.
Despite the fact that many of them contain lots of benefits, there are several fruits which are better than the others to consume when you’re managing your consumption of calories. Recent reports have established that the antioxidants in fruit supply numerous health advantages. We are going to uncover the top 15 super fruits and how they can benefit you.
Kiwi
Kiwi fruit is also referred to as the Macaque peach or Chinese gooseberry. It’s China’s official national fruit. It is a fairly sugary fruit which tastes like a combination of bananas, pineapples and strawberries. It’s purportedly branded after the flightless kiwi bird. This fruit is a definite joy for your tastebuds. Everyone loves it because of its numerous rewards.
- Eating just 1 little kiwi fruit helps to eliminate wheezing and coughing, especially at night. A concoction made from kiwi fruit, honey and smashed aniseed helps with preventing shortness of breath and fits of coughing.
- Kiwi fruit promotes eye health by fending off eye ailments, for instance, macular degeneration and poor vision. This is because kiwi fruit is believed to contain high amounts of lutein and zea-xanthin, two organic chemical substances found in the human eye.
Mangos
There’s hardly anyone who doesn’t like fresh, juicy mangoes during the summer time. Mangoes are a true delight, and are commonly used in various recipes and food products. For instance, many individuals enjoy having mango milk shakes, mango ice creams and so forth. Because they’re so delectable and wholesome, mangoes are definitely an excellent fruit to include in your diet. What are the benefits they can give us?
- Mangoes help prevent cancer because they contain Pectin. Pectin is a dietary fiber that minimizes the actions of Galectin 3. Galectin 3 is essentially a protein that is present in cancerous cells and it aids the creation of cancer. Thankfully, consuming mangoes helps combat this.
- In a study on Swiss albino mice, an extract from mango pulp was identified efficient at decreasing damage to the liver cells. This could also be one of the reasons for the many health advantages of mangoes fixing digestive complications; simply because digestion is strongly associated with an optimal functioning of the liver.
Oranges
Oranges make a healthy snack at any time of the day. They’ve got a higher satiety index, which implies if you are feeling hungry prior to eating times, consuming an orange can push those food cravings aside. Also, since the sugar content in oranges is in the form of fructose, it helps control blood glucose levels in diabetics. Let’s take a look at a few other advantages of eating oranges.
- Orange oil helps to reduce high blood pressure, breakup lymph blockage as well as reducing the signs and symptoms of colds and flu. It also has an abundant supply of d-limonene, a strong antioxidant that helps bring about healthy liver detoxification and levels out estrogen amounts inside the body.
- Consuming oranges helps stimulate the creation of White Blood cells within the body due to its high Vitamin C content. This, as a result, helps improve and strengthen the Immune System.
Apples
This is the most common fruit which is available in every supermarket around the world. You can turn them into delicious desserts or simply eat as they are to enjoy the benefits. Most of the nutrients in apples are found in its skin. That is why it’s important to eat the skin along with your apple.
- Apples are loaded with Fiber and, in return, when you eat at least one apple a day, it can help curve problematic issues with constipation and improve overall colon health and function.
- As previously mentioned, the most beneficial part of apples is their skin. Within the skin is an antioxidant called quercetin, which is packed with antihistamines that work like an anti-inflammatory and thus, protects you from chronic diseases like heart disease and even lowers the risk of allergic reactions.
Bananas
Without a doubt, bananas are one of the most common tropical fruits to be exported across the world or enjoyed locally. Your grandmother probably mentioned that bananas contain rich amounts of potassium, which is true. However, studies indicate they bananas don’t contain as high a potassium level as other fruits, such as coconuts. So what makes bananas a super fruit?
- One of the key ingredients in bananas is called fructooligosacharide. Don’t let the big name turn you away. This element helps boost the good bacteria in your body and rapidly produces more digestive enzymes; thus, ridding your body of harmful waste.
- Keep your eyes healthy by enjoying a banana a day. Research shows that by eating just one banana a day you can decrease your risk for macular degeneration by up to 36%. This is mostly due to the fact that bananas contain key antioxidants known as Vitamin A, C, and E.
Cranberries
Cranberries are classified as ‘super fruit’ because of their anti-carcinogen properties. If you are a woman reading this, then this fruit is extremely beneficial to you. You can eat them raw or blend them up to make all-natural cranberry juice. Here are the brilliant health benefits of cranberries:
- Cranberries can help prevent urinary tract infections due to their antiseptic properties. Once the liver breaks down the antioxidants found in cranberries, it automatically transmits the antibacterial properties of cranberries throughout your urinary tract.
- Be wary of cranberry juice sold in the stores. Normally, they over-sweeten the juice that it doesn’t retain its tartness. Instead, make your own cranberry juice at home with a blender. Studies show that people who drink cranberry juice on a regular basis lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol by over 10%.
Acai Berries
Found within the Amazon rainforest inSouth America, the acai berry has become a staple food for the locals there. The little, purplish glowing blue super berry grows on Acai palm trees. The primary advantage of the acai fruit is its rich selection of minerals; particularly anthocyanin, a flavonoid with antioxidant properties.
- Acai berries are loaded with crucial enzymes and fibers that assist the colon in working properly by eliminating waste materials effortlessly. Experts claim this benefits sustaining suitable colon health, as poisonous waste products and mucous plaque are eliminated from colon by frequent consumption of acai berries.
- It’s useful to keep in mind that the acai berry benefits and reinforces the immune system, which protects us from illnesses, pathogenic agents such as viruses, harmful bacteria, and parasites. It carries this out by making use of elements like enzymes, beneficial bacteria, proteins, and all-natural nutrients. The primary rewards of acai berries are an integration of high level antioxidants along with other vitamins and minerals within the fruit, which will help strengthen the immune system and keep you healthier and feeling better.
Tomatoes
The health benefits of tomatoes are remarkable. They’re a strong antioxidant, which protects your entire body from damage. They may also enhance bone tissue health in women, and prevent cancer of the prostate in males. It’s a food everyone seems to be acquainted with, which makes integrating it into meals easy.
- Lycopene is an essential nutrient for everyone. It is advisable for individuals who smoke or consume more refined food to eat more lycopene-rich foods. Also, individuals who lack much physical activity are exposed to high levels of free radicals, which can be combated by eating more lycopene. When free radical molecules exceed and overpower the antioxidant protection mechanism- the oxidative tension arises. Consequently, when you eat extra lycopene rich foods like tomatoes, they can help to avoid free radical damages that ultimately cause many deadly diseases like cancer.
- Tomatoes can assist in lowering high blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease as they are an excellent source of potassium. Also, they contain vitamin B6 and Folate which are both needed for your system to transform a hazardous substance known as homocysteine into other benign molecules. High levels of homocysteine can directly damage blood vessel walls and are associated to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- One of the best benefits of tomatoes is that cooking them actually increases absorption of lycopene, which means ketchup actually is good for you (if it’s not too sweetened).
Pineapples
Undoubtedly, pineapples are the most preferred of the tropical fruits – succulent and delightful. The benefits of pineapples are astounding:
- The presence of vitamin B1 in pineapples helps to increase your energy levels, and aids in maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system and nervous system. The fruit also contains bromeliad; this aids digestion and also acts as a natural anti-inflammatory agent.
- One of the benefits of pineapple is that it helps to build healthy bones. Pineapples are rich in manganese, a trace mineral that is needed for your body to build healthy bones and connective tissues. Just one cup of pineapple provides 73% of the daily recommended amount of manganese. The benefits of consuming pineapple can affect the growth of bones in young people and the strengthening of bones in older people.
Eggplant
When it comes to healthy fruits, eggplant is an easy pick. Not only does it provide excellent nutrition, it is commonly used in cooking. So what are the health benefits of eggplants?
- Studies show that eggplant may help lower overall cholesterol in the body and help to improve blood flow. The antioxidant compounds in eggplants help to prevent oxidative stress to the cardiovascular system, and thus reduce the risk of heart attack and heart disease.
- Eggplant contains phenols which help to control blood sugar levels. So, it is good for people who suffer from diabetes. Eggplant also has antioxidant phytochemicals which can protect you from free radicals.
Cucumber
Most people would avoid eating cucumbers because they are unaware of the immense health benefits of them. Fresh cucumber may taste “bland” to some but its thirst-quenching and cooling properties are refreshing. It acts as an anti-oxidant and counters the unhealthiness when eaten with fried and barbequed foods.
- One of the great health benefits of cucumber is that it’s great for the skin and curing skin problems. Combine it with alfalfa juice and the health benefits of cucumber juice will be enhanced. Put it on once daily and you’ll prevent pimples, blackheads, facial lines, acne as well as other skin conditions.
- Health benefits of cucumber juice are also the result of its mild, natural diuretic effect – that is, it’ll make you need to go the lavatory a little more often, just like coffee. But cucumber fruit juice isn’t as potent a diuretic as coffee and sodas, and not harshly acidic like these beverages. It’s a delicate diuretic, which makes you go more, and helps you flush toxins out of your body.
Avocado
Avocado is an excellent fruit to cool you down during the hot days of summer. You can just eat them plain, however, one of the best ways to eat them is by literally mashing them until they turn to paste, add some tomatoes to them, and finish it off with your favorite pepper to make a healthy chip and dip alternative. Why are avocados healthy for us?
- Avocados contain monounsaturated fat and fatty acids that work wonders for lowering bad cholesterol, due to the fact it increases good cholesterol.
- They’re packed with beta-carotene and lycopene which are essential for a healthy heart. Studies show that both of these carotenoids reduce plaque in the arteries.
Pumpkins
Pumpkin is often mistaken as a ‘vegetable’ when it is actually a fruit. Let’s take a look at the benefits of this fruit:
- Pumpkins are packed with beta-carotene. If you eat a banana with it, its combination of potassium and beta-carotene work together to help prevent and reverse high blood pressure.
- The next time when you are carving a pumpkin, take the seeds out of them and save them. The seeds of a pumpkin have the most nutritional qualities and can be added to soups, salads, and different stir fries. Pumpkin pies don’t count as healthy, since they are loaded with sugars and carbs.
Pears
Nearly 3, 000 years back, the poet Homer spoke generously of pears as a “gift from the gods.” The clever Romans couldn’t dispute with Ancient Greek’s intelligence, they implemented grafting methods leading to more than 50 different types of pears being cultivated today.
- Pears contain an exceptional source of dietary fiber, and such fiber content is very good for your heart’s health. Evidence suggests that dietary fiber can reduce unhealthy levels of cholesterol by binding to the bile salts. It has also been reported that eating pears frequently can help reduce the risk of stroke by almost 50%.
- Pears are loaded with boron, a mineral which can help soak up calcium within the body. Obtaining pear juice will help you to enhance the absorption of calcium in the body and lower chances of developing osteoporosis. When pears are perfectly ripe, not too soft and not too firm, they are the most delicious of fruits and, in my opinion, far more appetizing than apples.
Strawberries
One of the advantages of strawberries is they are fairly low in calories, so they can really fill you up without worrying about putting on weight. However, lots of people consume them with sugar coated on them, in jams, or in pies and cakes with whipped cream.
- As with other fruits, strawberries’ accolades are their strong flavonoids. The bright, red colorization of strawberries is a result of the anthocyanidins referred to as pelargonidin. Strawberries’ unique flavonoid content ensures they are a very important defender against inflammation, cancer, and heart disease.
- Strawberries reinforce the gum line and treat swelling gums. The powerful red-colored fruit also protects against oral cancer and may help make teeth whiter. Interestingly, you can cut the strawberries into thin slices and run them around your teeth for a delicious way to remove tartar.
Eat more fruit and you’ll easily increase your intake of fiber, vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, folate and potassium. If you include yogurt or whole milk in your berry juice smoothie, it can help you fulfil your daily recommended calcium consumption. Change your fruit selections and make an effort to include a variety of colors in your smoothies; which will help to include different mixes of nutrients.
If you are looking for long term health benefits along with a great taste, then all of the fruits described above will supply you with both. From adding delicious pineapple slices to a baked ham, or tossing in a few acai berries inside your yoghurt, you’ll reap the health benefits whilst enjoying powerful flavour punches intended by nature. But only buy organically-grown fruits that are not frozen, not genetically-modified in any way, and have no preservatives.