3 Amazing Benefits of Eating Fruit for Your Health

Fruits are part of the plant kingdom, but they’re a special subset because they’re designed to be eaten—and they’re delicious! While many people think of fruits as being high in sugar and calories, this isn’t always the case. In fact, eating fruit in addition to other healthy foods can have some surprising health benefits for you. Here are three of them!

1) Helps maintain strong bones

A cup of dried fruit contains anywhere from 100-150% of your recommended daily value of vitamin K, a nutrient that helps maintain strong bones. Fruit is also rich in important minerals like potassium, which helps lower blood pressure and keep your heart healthy. A diet high in potassium can help reduce stroke risk by as much as 23%. If you are trying to lose weight or struggling with high blood pressure, it’s helpful to find ways to add more fruits and veggies into your daily routine – try snacking on raisins instead of chips or drinking a green smoothie after breakfast every morning. Just be sure that you watch out for additives like sugars and sodium, which can cancel out many benefits. For example, while oranges are great sources of vitamin C and potassium, they have too much sugar to qualify as part of a low-calorie diet. You should always aim to get most of your nutrients through natural sources whenever possible!

2) Reduces risk of depression

A 2013 study by Columbia University found that eating a diet rich in whole fruit is linked to an 11% decrease in the risk of depression. Increasing consumption to eight servings a day led to a 21% decrease in risk. A similar study showed that people who eat more fruits and vegetables are less likely to experience a depressive episode than those who don’t. A large part of that has to do with foods rich in antioxidants, which can protect your brain from damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress. Fruits like blueberries, grapes, and apples have large amounts of antioxidants; so does chocolate! Desserts can be healthy when eaten in moderation. Just make sure you’re picking one with real cocoa powder instead of chocolate made out of milk or other products. The antioxidant-rich cacao nibs used to make chocolate provide natural mood-boosting effects as well. Not only will you feel happier after indulging, but research shows that dark chocolate may also help improve cognitive function, enhance blood flow to your brain and reduce stress levels. Studies show it could even help prevent memory loss over time.

3) Improves dental health

Many people don’t realize it, but fruit can actually improve dental health. Tart and tangy fruits, such as lemons, limes, and grapefruit contain natural compounds that are effective against bacteria responsible for tooth decay. Regularly eating these foods will help keep your teeth cavity-free. Helps prevent diabetes: According to a study conducted by researchers from Oxford University in England, consuming a wide variety of colorful fruits can reduce one’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes by almost 20 percent. Another study showed that women who consumed more than five servings of fruit per day had a 23 percent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who ate less than one serving per day. Researchers aren’t sure exactly why there is a link between fruit intake and lower diabetes risk; however, they speculate that high levels of antioxidants may have something to do with it.

Conclusion

One thing we can all agree on is that eating fruit benefits health. There’s a reason why fruits and vegetables are at the very top of so many healthy-eating lists. They contain vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and more—all things we know are good for our bodies. So go ahead and eat some fruit today—it’s good for you! You won’t regret it. And when you do decide to add them to your diet in some form or another (fresh, frozen, canned), make sure to be mindful of portion size.

FAQs

Here’s a list of some common questions I receive when discussing fruit: Are dried fruits healthy?

Yes, but they have fewer vitamins and minerals than fresh fruit. They also contain more sugar. Is fruit good for you if you have high blood pressure? Yes, it can be good for you even if you have hypertension.

Why should I eat fruit? In addition to being delicious,

fruit is also an excellent source of nutrition. And since most fruits are lower in calories than other foods, they’re a great choice if you’re trying to lose weight or stick to a specific diet. Another benefit is that many fruits are high in fiber, which helps keep your digestive system healthy and regular. If you want to improve your overall health and boost your immune system, consider eating more fresh fruit every day!