Fruit is like nature’s candy—sweet, delicious, and you always want to go back for more. But unlike candy, there is so much nutritional value in fruit so you can snack away, guilt-free!
In fact, here are the top reasons for eating fruit so the next time you grab a sweet treat it can be a healthy one.
Whether or not you’re someone who likes to take a lot of supplements, we can all agree getting vitamins from the actual food we eat is a great thing! Fruits are full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants our body needs to thrive. The USDA points out fruit is full of potassium, vitamin C, and folic acid.
These components are important to your body for several reasons.
First, a diet rich in potassium is shown to reduce blood pressure. For fruits, this includes bananas, honeydew melon, oranges, and cantaloupe.
Also, Vitamin C aids in the growth and repair of body tissue and is good for your teeth and gums. Finally, folic acid helps form red blood cells. It is especially important for women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant to consume enough folic acid.
This nutrient requires its own category (apart from vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants) because it’s so important. The USDA agrees fiber lowers cholesterol and potentially reduces the risk of heart disease.
Actually, those who consume plenty of fiber also have regular bowel movements (reduced constipation and diverticulosis). Who can complain about that?
Also when you eat fruit and other foods full of fiber, the fiber helps you feel full longer. So, you’ll go back for fewer snacks that don’t have the same nutritional value. Healthline also adds that soluble fiber contributes to weight loss.
Have you ever noticed the fresh feeling on your teeth after eating an apple?
That’s not just you. Even Colgate endorses apples as one of the seven best foods to eat for healthy teeth.
This is for several reasons. First, apples contain a lot of water and fiber, which we already discussed is good for the body. But the consistency of apples and the act of eating one cleans your teeth and leaves them feeling squeaky clean.
You see, in order to eat an apple, your mouth has to produce a lot of saliva which washes away bacteria and food particles. This process actually reducing your chances of getting cavities and gum disease.
Although some people like to point out the high sugar content in fruit, there are other ways that fruit helps with the weight loss process.
According to Healthline,
“One thing that is often forgotten when discussing the sugar and carb content of fruit… they are also incredibly fulfilling! Because of the fiber, the water and all the chewing, fruits are very satiating, calorie for calorie.”
Grabbing a piece of fruit on the go is a great alternative to a bag of chips or a granola bar because it will leave you feeling full. Plus, you get all the added benefits of the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Here’s a tip that will help you choose fruit instead of the less healthy options in your fridge: Instead of putting all your fruits in the crisper drawer where they are out of sight and out of mind, leave them on a shelf at eye level so you remember to snack on them!
There have been many studies that show additional benefits of eating fruits and vegetables. Healthline mentioned that several showed a lower risk of heart disease, a lower incidence of diabetes in women, and lower risk of stroke.
Others have reported helping to reduce high blood pressure and some cancers. Finally, because fruits are so high in vitamins and minerals, you’ll simply feel healthier and more energized to conquer your day!
At Sworkit, we want to equip you with tools to be healthy; including our app that provides amazing, personalized workouts and informative blog posts.
So the next time you go to grab a piece of fruit, don’t hesitate. There are so many reasons why that snack is great for your health!
