by LORI-ANN MARCHESE
CTFashionMag.com
Fruits are full of nutrients that are essential for your health, and assist in preventing the risk of certain diseases.
Fruits contains fiber, antioxidants and specific nutrients that attend to maintaining your health.
Fruits that hold fiber helps relieve constipation and contribute in lowering cholesterol and blood glucose levels. Fiber promotes weight loss because when you eat fiber, you tend to stay full longer, reducing your snacking and overeating. Although many fruits are rich in fiber, some fruits stand out in their high fiber content. Aim for consuming raspberries, pears and apples if you want to focus on higher fiber fruits.
Various vitamins and minerals are called antioxidants, which help protect cells from damage that could contribute to the development of heart disease, cancer, and other illnesses. Examples of antioxidants include beta-carotene, selenium and vitamins A, C and E. Goji berries, pomegranates and other types of berries are wonderful sources of antioxidants.
In addition to the antioxidant benefits that vitamins and minerals provide, many kinds of fruit provide nutrients the body needs for health and proper functioning. Vitamin C helps with wound healing, boosts the immune system, and helps strengthen bones and teeth. Fruits with this vitamin include kiwi, mango, pineapples, cranberries and strawberries. Potassium, a mineral that functions as an electrolyte and that is needed for cells, tissues and organs to function properly, is found in bananas, citrus juices and cantaloupes.
Being obese and overweight are serious health issues, which can lead to illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure and cancer. Substituting fruit for high calorie, high-sugar food can help you cut calories because fruit typically has fewer calories than high-fat foods. When you are craving something sweet, having a piece of fruit is the perfect remedy, and will satisfy your taste buds. It will also help fill you up, reducing the likelihood of overeating or consuming empty calories, which leads to weight gain.
Fruit is “nature’’s candy”. The best part about eating fruit is that there are so many options to choose from, and they still give you that satisfaction of a sweet and delicious taste. If you find it difficult to eat fruit by itself, you can pair fruit with other items. For example, you can add berries to your yogurt, create a smoothie that incorporates your vegetables as well, and bananas paired with all-natural peanut butter. There are endless options of what you can do to get your daily servings of fruit. It is suggested that you consume 2 to 4 servings of fruit each day.
Making sure you get your daily intake of fruit is extremely important for your body and health. When consuming fruit, avoid additional sugars and flavors to the best of your ability. Fruit already has enough of natural sugar to satisfy your taste. Target a variety of fruits that you enjoy, and always adjust the type you are having, and embrace the fruit that is sold at your local farms. The more local your fruit is from, the better it will taste, but most importantly, it will aid to benefiting your health even more. Make sure you eat fruit every day.
Lori-Ann Marchese is the owner of Body Construct LLC in New Britain. She is a former cast member of the reality TV series, “Game of Crowns.”