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6 Tasty Fruits that are Good for You

6 Tasty Fruits that are Good for You

Feb. 19th, 2021

Nothing tastes better than fresh, delicious fruits of all shapes and colors. Each fruit has its own unique flavor and texture that separates it from the others in the bowl.

You probably already know that fruits are essential for keeping your body healthy. After all, fruits contain vitamins and nutrients that our bodies need to stay energized throughout the day.

But why is fruit good for you? Here are six fruits and some of the many health benefits you’ll receive by eating these.

Strawberries

Strawberries are known for their red color and having seeds on the outside rather than the inside. They ripen in the spring time and are grown in all states.1

One benefit of eating strawberries is that they contain Vitamin C. Vitamin C is responsible for boosting our collagen levels, which contributes to keeping our skin youthful. Vitamin C also can help our bones and teeth grow, assists our body in controlling weight, and is linked to lowering our blood pressure.2

Other benefits of strawberries, according to Healthline Media, include:3

  • Strawberries contain fiber, which improves digestive health
  • The carbohydrates of strawberries are made of simple sugars, including glucose, fructose, and sucrose
  • Strawberries have potassium, which can help regulate your blood sugar
  • Strawberries contain Procyanidins, which are antioxidants

Another reason why this fruit is good for you is because a cup of strawberries contains only 55 calories, making them a sweet treat you can enjoy without worrying about gaining weight!1

With all of this in mind, take some time to enjoy some savory strawberries today.

Oranges

Oranges are the ever-popular fruit that share the same name as its color. Their sweet citrus taste is enjoyed in many different dishes, from salads to desserts. They are also notorious for being a great source of vitamin C.

Did you know a health benefit of oranges is that they produce fiber that will keep your gut healthy?4 The reason for this is that an orange’s fiber is water soluble, which can help minimize red blood cholesterol and visceral fat (which is a type of belly fat).

Another way oranges help your body is that they contain a high amount of calcium.5 Calcium is responsible for keeping and maintaining strong bones, organs, and muscles.

Consider adding oranges as a tasty citrus treat that you enjoy every week. Consuming oranges can help your body stay healthy and get the nutrients it needs!

Blueberries

Blueberries are a tiny yet delicious fruit that can easily be incorporated into a variety of meals. They are popular to add into pancakes, smoothies, and pies because they are small and have bursts of flavor.

One of the main benefits of eating blueberries is that they can help your body fight free radicals.6 Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage the cells in your body, leading to diseases such as cancer. Blueberries are believed to have some of the highest antioxidant levels, making them a great way to help maintain your health.

Another benefit to enjoying this blue treat is blueberries may help lower your blood pressure.7 The reasoning for this is that blueberries are free of sodium and contain magnesium, potassium, and calcium, all of which are linked to reducing blood pressure. Consider using blueberries as a way to naturally keep your blood pressure low.

With these benefits in mind, blueberries are a great way to help keep your body energized and in shape. Consider adding blueberries into your everyday meal as a tasty and healthy option.

Grapes

Grapes have been a popular food for humans to eat throughout history, being used in a variety of different dishes and being a pivotal food present in many different mythologies. Today, grapes are added into many different dishes, snacks, and juices, making them one of the most versatile fruits that can be incorporated into your diet.

While there are different types of grapes, red and green grapes both contain vitamin B, which helps supports your cells and brain functioning. Red and green grapes also contain folate, which is responsible for maintaining the health of red blood cells. Grapes are also a great source of potassium, which can help our body maintain its fluids.8

One interesting fact about grapes is that dried grapes, also known as raisins, don’t contain the same health benefits of grapes. This is because when the grapes dry, some of the sugars and calories will naturally remove the nutrients. Dried grapes contain four times the amount of sugar than regular grapes, so it’s important to keep in mind that raisins are not a substitute for eating natural grapes.9

Now that you know some ways grapes can help keep your body healthy, try incorporating them into some of your everyday meals. You might be surprised by how the health benefits of grapes can improve how you feel every day.

Bananas

Bananas are a popular snack that are easy to enjoy at any time of the day. You can add bananas into your cereal or eat them as a snack with your lunch. The versatility of bananas makes them a widely popular fruit that is enjoyed by millions of people across the globe.

One health benefit of eating bananas is that their sugar content is packed with fiber, which helps your body maintain its glucose levels.10 Fiber is incredibly important because it aids our digestive system, and having enough of fiber is important for preventing colon cancer.11

Another benefit of eating plenty of bananas is that they are rich in pectin and resistant starch, both of which help moderate your sugar levels. This helps to slow your appetite and helps you feel satiated after a meal. Bananas don’t cause a major spike in blood sugar levels, however, this may not be true for those who have type 2 diabetes or other medical conditions.12

If you haven’t tried eating bananas, see if you can replace a different snack with one this week. You might find yourself enjoying this tasty fruit often!

Apples

An apple a day keeps the doctor away – everyone has heard this phrase. But is it true?

Luckily, it is: apples are a great way to lower your body’s cholesterol and blood pressure levels.13 This is because there is soluble fiber in apples that prevents cholesterol build-up. This helps lower your chances of cardiovascular disease.

Studies have shown that those who ate apples are 23% less likely to get type-2 diabetes.14 This is because apples contain antioxidents such as phlorizin which helps lowers blood sugar levels and quercetin which slows the digestion of carbohydrates.15 That means apples are a great way to naturally help maintain the sugar levels in your body, which can help keep you healthier in the long run.

See if eating an apple every day can help bring these numerous health benefits to your life. Apples are an easy addition to add to your lunch, so you can take them wherever you go!

What’s On Your Plate?

Now that you know some of the health benefits of different fruits, it’s time to start thinking about what is on your plate. Try adding some of these fresh fruits into your diet and start living a healthier lifestyle today!

Saber Healthcare is an organization dedicated to providing consultant services to long term care providers. This article is for informational purposes and is not meant to be seen as professional advice. Please consult with a medical expert before relying on the information provided.

Sources

  1. “Facts.” University of Illinois, web.extension.illinois.edu. Accessed February 5th, 2021. Link: https://web.extension.illinois.edu/strawberries/facts.cfm
  2. “5 Vitamin C Benefits.” Saber Healthcare Group, saberhealth.com. Published September 4th, 2020. Accessed February 5th, 2021. Link: https://www.saberhealth.com/news/blog/5-vitamin-c-benefits
  3. Bjarnadottir, Adda. “Strawberries 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits.” Healthline Media, healthline.com. Published March 27th, 2019. Accessed February 5th, 2021. Link: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/strawberries
  4. Sass, Cynthia. “7 Health Benefits of Oranges, According to a Nutritionist.” Meredith Health Group, Health.com. Last updated February 5th, 2021. Accessed February 5th, 2021. Link: https://www.health.com/food/health-benefits-oranges
  5. “Oranges.” WebMD LLC, WebMD.com. Accessed February 5th, 2021. Link: https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/health-benefits-oranges#1
  6. Leech, Joe, MS. “10 Proven Health Benefits of Blueberries.” Healthline Media, healthline.com. Published October 19th, 2018. Accessed February 5th, 2021. Link: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-blueberries
  7. Ware, Megan, RDN. “Everything you Need to Know About Blueberries.” Healthline Media, MedicalNewsToday. Published September 5th, 2017. Link: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/287710
  8. Shubrook, Nicola. “Are Grapes Good For You?” Immediate Media Company Limited, BBC Good Food. Published April 29th, 2020. Accessed February 5th, 2021. Link: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/are-grapes-good-you
  9. Szalay, Jessie. “Grapes: Health Benefits & Nutrition Facts.” Future US Inc, Live Science. Published April 28th, 2016. Accessed February 5th, 2021. Link: https://www.livescience.com/54581-grapes-nutrition.html
  10. Hagy, Chad. “11 Banana Health Benefits You Might Not Know About.” Everyday Health Group, Everyday Health. Last Updated November 15th, 2017. Accessed February 5th, 2021. Link: https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/11-banana-health-benefits-you-might-not-know-about/
  11. “Fiber.” University of Massachusetts at Amherst, umass.edu. Published November 15th, 2017. Accessed February 5th, 2021. Link: https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/11-banana-health-benefits-you-might-not-know-about/
  12. Raman, Ryan. “11 Evidence-based Health Benefits of Bananas.” Healthline Media, healthline.com. Published September 9th, 2017. Accessed February 8th, 2021. Link: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-does-potassium-do
  13. Barrie, Leslie. Kennedy, Kelly, ed. “7 Outstanding Health Benefits of Apples.” Everyday Health Group, Everyday Health. Last Updated October 2nd, 2020. Accessed February 8th, 2021. Link: https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/impressive-health-benefits-of-apples/
  14. Herr, Laurie S. “5 Health Benefits of an Apple.” Allrecipes Food Group, Eatingwell.com. Last Updated September 16th, 2020. Accessed February 8th, 2021. Link: https://www.eatingwell.com/article/17769/5-health-benefits-of-an-apple/
  15. Bell, Becky. Hodgson, Lisa. “Do Apples affect Diabetes and Blood Sugar Levels?” Healthline Media, healthline.com. Published December 23rd, 2020. Accessed February 8th, 2021. Link: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/apples-and-diabetes