I don’t think I’ve ever met a fruit I didn’t like.
(Unless you count watermelons, papayas, lychees, and passion fruits).

I love them and I am convinced that my love for fruits is one of the reasons why Hugh and I are both in such good health.  Yes, we maintain a plant-based diet, but we place equal emphasis on fruits and vegetables.

A few days ago, I had a conversation with someone who told me that they didn’t eat fruit because “all those sugars and carbs are not worth the calories.” I really shouldn’t have been surprised because this came from someone whose idea of hydration is lots of ice on their caffeinated drinks, still it made me wonder how many people are out there thinking that fruits are a waste of calories.

About fruit:

Fruits are packed with vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and many plant derived micronutrients.  While some fruits are considered to be superfoods due to
their large supply of nutrients, all edible fruits provide exceptional nutritional benefits.

Many studies show that two to five daily servings can help you significantly reduce your risk of :

• Stroke,
• Diabetes,
• Heart disease,
• And certain cancers.

Fruits are low in calories and fat and are a source of simple sugars, fiber, and vitamins, which are essential for optimizing our health. They provide plenty of soluble dietary fiber, which helps to ward of cholesterol and fats from the body.  Fruits contain many anti-oxidants like poly-phenolic flavonoids, vitamin-C, anthocyanins. These compounds help the body protect itself from oxidant stress, diseases, and cancers, and  boost our immunity level.

And it’s not just the body that benefits. A recent study found that people who drank fruit and vegetable juices had a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s. The fruit nutrition study, conducted by researchers at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., found that people who drank fruit and vegetable juices at least three times a week reduced their risk by 76 percent. Those who drank juice twice a week saw their risk go down by 16 percent.

So, what are you waiting for? it’s summer…go eat a mango or something 🙂