Benefits of fruits

Fruits are an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals, and they are high in fiber. Fruits also provide a wide range of health-boosting antioxidants, including flavonoids. Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables can reduce a person's risk of developing heart disease, cancer, inflammation, and diabetes.

Fruit and vegetables are a good source of vitamins and minerals, including folate, vitamin C and potassium. They're an excellent source of dietary fibre, which can help to maintain a healthy gut and prevent constipation and other digestion problems. A diet high in fibre can also reduce your risk of bowel cancer.

Avoid mixing your watermelons, muskmelons, cantaloupe and honeydews with other fruits. Try not to mix acidic fruits, such as grapefruits and strawberries, or sub-acidic foods such as apples, pomegranates and peaches, with sweet fruits, such as bananas and raisins for a better digestion.

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.

Eating fruit on a regular basis can boost health.

However, not all fruits are created equal. Some of them provide unique health benefits.

Here are the 20 healthiest fruits on earth.

Eating fruit on a regular basis can boost

1. Grapefruit

Grapefruit is one of the healthiest citrus fruits.

Besides being a good source of vitamins and minerals, it is known for its ability to aid weight loss and reduce insulin resistance.

For example, in a study in 91 people, those who ate half a fresh grapefruit before meals lost 2.9 pounds (1.3 kg) more weight than those who didn’t.

In the same study, the grapefruit group had a significant reduction in insulin levels and reduced insulin resistance.

Also, eating grapefruit has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels and help prevent kidney stones.

2. Pineapple

Among the tropical fruits, pineapple is a nutrition superstar. One cup (237 ml) of pineapple provides 131% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) for vitamin C and 76% of the RDI for manganese.

Pineapple also contains bromelain, a mixture of enzymes known for its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to digest protein.

Test-tube and animal studies suggest that bromelain may help protect against cancer and tumor growth.

3. Avocado

Avocado is different from most other fruits.

Most fruits are high in carbs, while avocado is low in carbs and comprised mainly of healthy fats.

The majority of the fat in avocado is oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat linked to reduced inflammation and better heart health.

In addition to healthy fats, avocados are loaded with potassium, fiber and magnesium.

One whole avocado provides 28% of the RDI for potassium. Adequate potassium intake is associated with reduced blood pressure and a lower risk of stroke.

4. Blueberries

Blueberries have powerful health benefits.

They have an impressive nutrition profile, being particularly high in fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K and manganese.

Blueberries are also exceptionally high in antioxidants.

In fact, they are believed to contain the highest antioxidant content of the most commonly consumed fruits.

The antioxidants in blueberries may reduce the risk of chronic conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s

Blueberries are also known for their powerful effects on the immune system.

One study found that eating blueberries regularly may increase natural killer cells in the body. These help defend you against oxidative stress and viral infections.

Additionally, the antioxidants in blueberries may have a protective effect on your brain. For example, eating blueberries has been shown to improve memory in older adults.

5. Apples

Apples are among the most popular fruits, and also happen to be incredibly nutritious.

They contain a high amount of fiber, vitamin C, potassium and vitamin K. They also provide some B vitamins.

Studies suggest that the antioxidants in apples can promote heart health and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer’s.

The antioxidant activity in apples has also been linked with increased bone density in animal and test-tube studies.

Another notable health benefit of apples is their pectin content.

Pectin is a prebiotic fiber that feeds the good bacteria in your gut and helps improve digestion and metabolic health.

6. Pomegranate

Pomegranates are among the healthiest fruits you can eat.

Not only are they nutrient dense, they also contain powerful plant compounds that are responsible for most of their health benefits.

The antioxidant levels in pomegranate have been shown to be three times higher than those of green tea and red wine.

Studies have also shown that pomegranates have anti-inflammatory effects and may help reduce the risk of cancer.

7. Mango

Mangoes are an excellent source of vitamin C.

They also contain soluble fiber, which can provide many health benefits.

Additionally, mangoes have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce the risk of disease.

In animal studies, the plant compounds in mangoes have been shown to protect against diabetes.

8. Strawberries

Strawberries are highly nutritious.

Their vitamin C, manganese, folate and potassium contents are where they really shine.

Compared to other fruits, strawberries have a relatively low glycemic index. Eating them shouldn’t cause a big blood sugar spike.

Similarly to other berries, strawberries have a high antioxidant capacity, which may reduce your risk of chronic disease.

Animal and test-tube studies have found that strawberries may also help prevent cancer and tumor formation.

9. Cranberries

Cranberries have impressive health benefits.

They have an excellent nutrition profile, being rich in vitamin C, manganese, vitamin E, vitamin K1 and copper.

They also contain a significant amount of antioxidants called flavanol polyphenols, which can improve health.

What makes cranberries unique from other fruits is that their juices and extracts help prevent urinary tract infections.

A-Type proanthocyanidins are the compounds thought to be responsible for this effect, as they can prevent bacteria from attaching to the lining of the bladder and urinary tract.

10. Lemons

Lemons are a very healthy citrus fruit known for their high vitamin C content.

They may be particularly helpful in promoting heart health due to their potential to lower blood lipids and blood pressure.

Based on findings from animal studies, researchers have also proposed that the plant compounds in lemons can help prevent weight gain.

11. Durian

Durian is nicknamed the “king of fruits.”

One cup (237 ml) of durian provides 80% of the RDI for vitamin C.

It is also rich in manganese, B vitamins, copper, folate and magnesium.

Furthermore, durian contains several healthy plant compounds that function as antioxidants.

12. Watermelon

Watermelon is high in vitamins A and C. It’s also rich in some important antioxidants, including lycopene, carotenoids and cucurbitacin E.

Some of watermelon’s antioxidants have been studied for their anti-cancer effects.

Lycopene intake is linked with a reduced risk of cancers of the digestive system, while cucurbitacin E may inhibit tumor growth.

Consuming lycopene-rich foods can also promote heart health because of their ability to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure.

Of all the fruits, watermelon is one of the most hydrating. It is made up of 92% water, which can help you feel more full.

13. Olives

Olives are a good source of vitamin E, iron, copper and calcium.

They also provide a lot of antioxidants, which may help prevent heart disease and liver damage, as well as have anti-inflammatory effects.

Similarly to avocados, olives contain oleic acid, which may provide several benefits for heart health and cancer prevention.

Additionally, animal studies have linked some of the plant compounds in olives with a reduced risk of osteoporosis.

14. Blackberries

Blackberries are another incredibly healthy fruit, packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants.

They provide an impressive amount of vitamin C, vitamin K and manganese.

One cup (237 ml) of blackberries provides a whopping 8 grams of fiber.

Also, the antioxidants in blackberries have been shown to reduce inflammation and aging of the arteries. Both effects may protect against chronic illness, such as heart disease and cancer.

15. Oranges

Oranges are one of the most popular and nutritious fruits in the world.

Eating one medium orange will provide a significant amount of vitamin C and potassium. They’re also a good source of B vitamins, such as thiamine and folate.

The plant compounds in oranges are responsible for most of their health benefits. These include flavonoids, carotenoids and citric acid.

For example, citric acid may reduce the risk of kidney stones.

Oranges are similar to lemons with their impressive amounts of vitamin C and citric acid, which help increase iron absorption and prevent anemia.

16. Bananas

Bananas are rich in vitamins and minerals and have quite a few health benefits to offer.

They are well known for being high in potassium. One medium banana provides 12% of the RDI for this mineral (67).

One unique property of bananas is their carb makeup.

The carbs in green, unripe bananas consist largely of resistant starch, which may improve blood sugar control and make you feel full.

Bananas also contain pectin, which may improve blood sugar control and digestive health.

Moreover, studies have shown that the high carb and mineral content of bananas makes them a great source of fuel before exercise.

17. Red and Purple Grapes

Grapes are very healthy. Their high antioxidant content is what makes them stand out.

The anthocyanins and resveratrol in grapes have both been shown to reduce inflammation.

Also, animal studies suggest that the plant compounds in grapes may help protect your heart, eyes, joints and brain.

18. Guava

Guava has a remarkable nutrition profile.

Eating just one ounce (28 grams) of guava will give you 107% of the RDI for vitamin C.

Guava is also rich in fiber, folate, vitamin A, potassium, copper and manganese.

The antioxidants in guava have been shown to protect cells from oxidative damage, indicating that they may help reduce the risk of chronic disease.

Guava is another great source of pectin, which benefits digestion and may help prevent colon cancer.

19. Papaya

Papaya is a very healthy fruit that is high in vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium and folate.

It is also rich in the anti-cancer antioxidant lycopene.

What’s more, studies show that the body absorbs lycopene better from papaya than from other lycopene-rich fruits and vegetables.

There is also some evidence that papaya may improve digestion. It contains papain, an enzyme that makes protein easier to digest.

20. Cherries

Cherries are rich in nutrients, especially potassium, fiber and vitamin C.

They contain antioxidants, including anthocyanins and carotenoids, which reduce inflammation and may help prevent several diseases.

Another impressive health benefit of cherries is their melatonin content.

Melatonin is a hormone that signals your brain when it’s time to sleep. It may help treat insomnia and other sleep disorders.

One study concluded that the melatonin content in tart cherry juice enhanced sleep duration and quality.

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.

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.

Health benefits:

*As part of an overall healthy diet, 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.

*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.

*Adding fruit can help increase intake of fiber and potassium which are important nutrients that many Americans do not get enough of in their diet.