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.
·
Health
Benefits
- Eating
a diet rich in vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy
diet may reduce risk for heart disease, including heart attack and
stroke.
- Eating
a diet rich in some vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy
diet may protect against certain types of cancers.
- Diets
rich in foods containing fiber, such as some vegetables and fruits, may
reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
- Eating
vegetables and fruits rich in potassium as part of an overall healthy
diet may lower blood pressure, and may also reduce the risk of developing
kidney stones and help to decrease 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.
·
Nutrients
- Most
fruits are naturally low in fat, sodium, and calories. None have
cholesterol.
- Fruits
are sources of many essential nutrients that are underconsumed, including
potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin C, and folate (folic acid).
- Diets
rich in potassium may help to maintain healthy blood pressure. Fruit
sources of potassium include bananas, prunes and prune juice, dried
peaches and apricots, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, and orange juice.
- Dietary
fiber from fruits, as part of an overall healthy diet, helps reduce blood
cholesterol levels and may lower risk of heart disease. Fiber is
important for proper bowel function. It helps reduce constipation and
diverticulosis. Fiber-containing foods such as fruits help provide a
feeling of fullness with fewer calories. Whole or cut-up fruits are sources of dietary
fiber; fruit juices contain little or no fiber.
- 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 addition 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.
