Health Benefits of Fruit
Fruit has been recognized as a good source of vitamins and minerals, especially for their role in preventing vitamin C and vitamin A deficiencies. People who eat fruit as part of an overall healthy diet generally have a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
Fruit are important sources of many nutrients, including potassium, fiber, vitamin C and folate (folic acid).
Eating Fruit Provides Health Benefits
The nutrients in fruit are vital for health and maintenance of your body. The potassium in fruit can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Potassium may also reduce the risk of developing kidney stones and help to decrease bone loss.
Soluble fiber in fruit may help prevent the spike in blood glucose levels that follow a meal or snack.
Folate (folic acid) helps the body form red blood cells. Women of childbearing age who may become pregnant and those in the first trimester of pregnancy need adequate folate. Folate helps prevent birth defects, such as spina bifida.
Eating a diet rich in fruit may reduce risk for stroke, other cardiovascular diseases and type-2 diabetes.
Eating a diet rich in fruit as part of an overall healthy diet may also protect against certain cancers.
Fruit is a functional food because, in addition to the basic health benefits of fruit, it helps maintain optimum health due to the health promoting phytochemicals it contains – many of which are still being identified.
To meet your daily recommended intake of fruit, aim for one and one-half to two cups each day.