Why Are Fruits So Important?

The inclusion of fruits and vegetables in our daily diets is very important as research has shown that fruits and vegetables can help prevent so many diseases today. Fruits and vegetables provide health benefits and are important for the prevention of illnesses. Fruits and vegetables contain a variety of nutrients including vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Eating the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables each day can reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Fruit is naturally low in fat, sodium and calories, and rich in potassium, fiber, vitamin C and folate. Some high-potassium fruits include peaches, cantaloupe, honeydew, oranges and bananas. Vegetables are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, fiber and potassium. Folate helps the body form red blood cells. It is advisable to always include fruits and vegetables as part of your meals every day to maintain a healthy lifestyle and save yourself from some common diseases and unhealthy conditions. Below are some of the health benefits of taking fruits and vegetables everyday.

Relieve for pregnant women

Vegetables contain a high proportion of vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, fiber and potassium. Folate helps the body form red blood cells. It is especially important for women of childbearing age to consume folate-rich foods such as bell peppers, tomatoes and spinach to prevent neural-tube defects in babies. Vitamin A-rich foods such as sweet potatoes, carrots and butternut squash help keep your skin and eyes healthy and protect against infections. The USDA recommends eating 2 1/2 cups of vegetables per day.

 

Reduced risk of heart diseases and wound healing

Fiber in fruit helps to protect against heart disease and lower cholesterol. Vitamin C in foods like citrus and strawberries helps with wound healing and keeps gums and teeth healthy. Generally fruits and vegetables high in fiber can reduce chances of developing coronary heart disease.  The healthiest choices are fresh fruits or frozen without added sweeteners.

Prevention of various diseases

Eating potassium-rich foods such as bananas can help reduce blood pressure, decrease bone loss and prevent development of kidney stones. Produce also contains different phytochemicals, natural chemical compounds in plants, which maintain proper cell health. It is also known that eating fresh fruits also help to prevent cardiovascular diseases, cancer, stroke and type 2 diabetes. 

Healthy weight management

According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention eating fruits and vegetables can make weight management a lot easier,. Most produce is low in calories compared to other foods, so filling up on these foods can aid in weight loss or maintenance. Fruits and vegetables work as excellent substitutes in different recipes. For example, use fresh applesauce instead of oil in muffins or cookies. Add sautéed vegetables to an omelet to make it more filling without a lot of calories.