The Benefits Of Eating Fresh Fruit
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Fresh fruit and vegetables are an important part of a balanced diet. In fact, the American Heart Association recommends 4-5 servings each of fruit and vegetables per day. Those fruits and veggies can come in a variety of forms: fresh, frozen, canned, dried, and even juiced, but we’re here today to talk about the benefits of eating fresh fruit.
There are many health benefits of consuming fresh produce daily. One major benefit of eating fruits is that they provide many beneficial nutrients, like potassium, vitamin C and folate, which contribute to an overall healthy diet and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. It’s also beneficial to eat fresh fruit due to what it doesn’t contain or doesn’t contain a lot of, including cholesterol, sodium, and fat.
Another benefit to eating fresh fruit is the presence of dietary fiber, which helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and may lower the risk of heart disease. Fiber-full foods such as fruit help provide a feeling of fullness with fewer calories, unlike processed snacks like salted chips which can leave you craving more.
In addition to the fiber, fresh fruits also contain higher water content, which helps people feel full, and makes fruit less calorie dense compared to other snacks. Grapefruit, for example, is about 90 percent water and half a grapefruit has just 37 calories. A high water percentage allows you to eat more and feel more full, and helps you keep hydrated throughout the day!
The researchers from Imperial College London analyzed 95 studies on fruit and vegetable intake and found the most significant benefit came from eating 10 portions of fruits and vegetables a day. Eating 10 portions of fruits and vegetables per day was tied to a:
- 24 percent reduced risk of heart disease
- 33 percent reduced risk of stroke
- 28 percent reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
- 13 percent reduced risk of cancer
- 31 percent reduction in premature death
On top of all the benefits of eating fruit, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one of the most important things we can do for ourselves for COVID-19 prevention is to “continue following basic steps for food safety and eat nutritious foods to take care of your physical and mental health.’’
In summary, fruits are an essential part of a healthy diet and should be consumed daily and a variety of fruits is as vital as quantity. Sigona’s Office Deliveries makes it easier than ever to stock your office with seasonal produce that will not only taste great but will keep your employees healthy and happy.