All fruits are healthy and good to eat! However, each fruit is unique and has a slightly different nutritional make-up.
Q: What are the best fruits to eat?
This is a great question, considering the incredible variety of fruits out there and the fact that it’s Fruits and Veggies More Matters Month!
In short, all fruits are healthy and good to eat! While each fruit is unique and has a slightly different nutritional make-up, most are naturally sweet, low in calories, high in fiber, potassium and vitamin C, and loaded with disease fighting compounds. All of this makes them a good addition to breakfast, lunch or dinner, not to mention snacks. Fruit is also a great option for dessert!
Fruits come in a variety of colors, and every color means a different type of health-promoting antioxidant (called “phyto-chemicals”). In a nutshell:
- Red fruits, such as apples and strawberries, have anthocyanins and lycopene, which help maintain memory, heart health and urinary tract health, as well as reduce blood pressure, fight infections and reduce the risk of some cancers.
- Orange and yellow fruits, such as apricots, mangos, and oranges, contain carotenoids and bioflavonoids. These help maintain the health of the heart, eyes and immune system, as well as slow aging and reduce the risk of some cancers.
- Blue and purple fruits, such as blueberries, blackberries, and purple grapes, contain anthocyanins, phenolics and resveratrol, which help facilitate healthier aging, enhance memory, urinary tract and cardiovascular health, as well as reduce the risk of some cancers. Blueberries are even considered a “superfood” because of their anti-inflammatory properties and link to decreased risk of heart disease and cancer.
To get the maximum health benefit, aim to eat a variety of fruit in all the colors of the rainbow. Keep fruits on hand at home and at restaurants, make half your plate fruits and veggies.