Why Is It Important to Eat Fruits?

Eating fruit provides health benefits — people who eat

more fruits and vegetables as part of an overall healthy

diet are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic

diseases. Fruits provide nutrients vital for health and

maintenance of your body.

Newsletter Date 11-3-15

Fruits What are Fruits?

The sweet and fleshy product of a tree or other

plant that contains seed and can be eaten as food.

Nutrients We Get from Fruits

Most fruits are naturally low in fat, sodium, and

calories. None have cholesterol.

Fruits are sources of many essential nutrients that are

under consumed, including potassium, dietary fibre, vitamin

C, and folate (folic acid).

Diets rich in potassium may help to maintain healthy

blood pressure. Fruit sources of potassium include bana-

nas, prunes and prune juice, dried peaches and apricots,

cantaloupe, honeydew melon, and orange juice.

Dietary fibre from fruits, as part of an overall healthy

diet, helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and may lower

risk of heart disease. Fibre is important for proper bowel

function. It helps reduce constipation and diverticulosis.

Fibre-containing foods such as fruits help provide a feeling

of fullness with fewer calories. Whole or cut-up fruits are

sources of dietary fibre; fruit juices contain little or no

fibre.

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

should consume adequate folate from foods, and in addi-

tion 400 mcg of synthetic folic acid from fortified foods or

supplements. This reduces the risk of neural tube defects,

spina bifida, and anencephaly during fetal development.

Health benefits

Eating a diet rich in some fruits as part of an overall

healthy diet may protect against certain types of cancers.

Diets rich in foods containing fibre, such as some

fruits have, may reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity,

and type 2 diabetes.

Eating fruits rich in potassium as part of an overall

healthy diet may lower blood pressure, and may also re-

duce the risk of developing kidney stones and help to de-

crease bone loss.

Eating foods such as fruits that are lower in calories

per cup instead of some other higher-calorie food may be

useful in helping to lower calorie intake.

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Tropical Fruits Tropical fruits having remarkably great qualities, you can always eat them unprocessed and without any add-

ed sugars. Being an important source of carbohydrate, vitamins, minerals and fibers, tropical fruits grow on

plants of all habitats. These fruits are a primary source of nutrition and a delicious component of healthy,

balanced diet. Across the world, there are different types of tropical fruits grown and exported.

Exotic Fruits Exotic fruits are that which are not native and that are cultivated outside, available at their place of origin. Some exotic fruits are tropical. Exotic fruits cover just a small group of fruits.

Accessory Fruits Accessory fruit defines a false fruit also known as pseudocarp. In these fruits the parts other than ovary and its

wall are important in forming the fleshy fruit part. The true fruit is red and accessory is white.

Types of Fruits

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Hybrid Fruits Hybridization is nothing but cross breeding of two breeds of the same genus or between different species. Hybrid offer

more fruit, nutrients and grow to an enormous size. It is proved that hybrids are sweeter than its natural form.

Lematoe Pineberry Blood lime Limequat

Easy Ways to Add Fruits to Your Day

1. Half Your Plate. Fill half your plate with fruits and veggies at every meal and snack.

2. Add More. Add extra fruits to dishes, even if they already contain/call for them in the recipe.

3. Substitute.

4. Stay Stocked.

5. Steam & Flavor.

6. Grab & Go.