Eating more fruit is one of the easiest ways to improve and maintain your health. A diet rich in fruit can reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain cancers.
While no single fruit can meet all of your nutritional needs, eating a variety of types and colors of products will help provide the proper nutritional balance. To boost your intake, try adding some of the healthiest fruits below to your daily diet.
1. Blueberries
Rich in fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K and manganese, blueberries are rich in antioxidants that may reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and other chronic diseases. They are known for their potential cancer-fighting properties.
The combination of blueberry extract and radiation therapy had a powerful effect on human cervical cancer cells, reducing them by 70%.
2. Blackberry
Like blueberries, blackberries contain vitamins C and K as well as manganese and B vitamins. Their antioxidant compounds may help reduce inflammation and aging of arteries, thereby protecting against heart disease, cancer, inflammation, neurological disorders, and other chronic diseases.
Blackberries are also high in soluble and insoluble fiber, containing 5.3 grams of fiber per 100 grams, which is 14 percent of the recommended daily allowance (RDA). Notably, fiber supports digestion and heart health and may help with blood sugar control and weight management.
Blackberry berries are a superfruit that you can eat straight or in a smoothie bowl.
3. Acai
Low in sugar but high in calcium, fiber, fatty acids, and vitamin A, acai berries are considered a superfruit with the highest oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), which measures a food's antioxidant capacity.
The antioxidants in acai berries may prevent certain health problems such as arthritis, inflammation, obesity, neurological disorders, and inflammation. Plus, these mighty berries contain anthocyanin compounds, including resveratrol, which give acai its rich color and also help protect against free radicals.
4. Avocado
Unlike most other fruits, avocados are high in healthy fats and low in carbohydrates. The main fat in avocados is oleic acid, a type of monounsaturated fat that may help reduce inflammation and promote heart health.
They are also high in fiber, magnesium, and potassium. In fact, one avocado provides 28 percent of your daily value, which may help lower blood pressure and reduce your risk of stroke.
5. Watermelon
This summer staple is not only fun to eat and a hit with kids, but it's also nutritious and hydrating. A standard 2-cup serving provides one-third of the daily value for vitamins A and C, as well as potassium. It's also rich in antioxidants, including lycopene, carotenoids, and cucurbitacin E.
In addition to preventing digestive cancers, lycopene can also lower cholesterol and blood pressure and improve heart health.
Tips to Increase Your Fruit and Vegetable Intake
There are many easy ways to increase your fruit and vegetable intake. Here are just a few:
- Start by replacing sugary and processed snacks with chopped fruit and making them easily accessible.
- Keep them in the freezer in the on-the-go pouch and add fruit to every meal or snack.
- Stock up on produce every time you go to the grocery store and try to make fruit or vegetable-based meals like soups and salads.
Gradually, you will exclude unnecessary foods that have no nutritional value, so that you can choose the healthiest fruits.