Health Benefits of Fruits
Enjoy a Healthier Lifestyle With More Fruits And Vegetables
by Nishanth Reddy
Everyone agrees on the importance of eating more fruits and vegetables, but not
enough people are following this important advice. Dietary experts recommend that
every person should eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day.
Increasing your consumption of fruits and vegetables is one of the easiest changes you
can make to increase your level of health, lose weight and gain fitness.
The latest food guidelines recommend that adults eat from five to nine servings of fruits
and vegetables every day. While that may seem like a lot, it is an important goal to
strive for, and a very reachable one.
A serving of a fruit or vegetable is equal to:
1. 1 medium sized vegetable or fruit (such as an apple, orange or banana)
2. 2 small fruits (such as kiwi fruit or plums)
3. ½ cup of fresh, frozen or canned fruits or vegetables
4. ½ cup of 100% fruit juice
5. ¼ cup of dried fruit
6. 1 cup of green salad
Study after study has shown that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables lowers the risk of
certain cancers, heart disease and other chronic diseases and conditions. One reason
for the recommendation that everyone increase their consumption of fruits and
vegetables is that many of these foods have been shown to have strong antioxidant
qualities.
Many fruits and vegetables have high amounts of many antioxidant vitamins, including
vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin C. In addition to their importance as source of vitamins
and minerals, fruits and vegetables also provide essential dietary fiber.
Many people do not realize, that in addition to vitamin C, oranges, grapefruits and other
citrus fruits also contain significant amounts of fiber. Fiber plays an important role in
digestion, and it is thought to have protective qualities against heart disease and some
forms of cancer. In addition, fiber is thought to have the ability to lower high levels of
cholesterol in the blood.
Another great feature of fruits and vegetables, especially to those watching their
weight, is the high nutrition, low fat, and low calorie nature of these foods. Fruits and
vegetables contain very low levels of fats, and a diet low in fat can be quite effective for
long-term weight loss. In addition, fruits and vegetables contain no cholesterol, and
they are lower in calories than many other types of foods.
Fruits and vegetables have a lot of advantages besides just their nutritional importance.
For one thing, they taste great and add a great deal of variety to everyday meals.
Fruits and vegetables come in such a wide variety of colors, textures and flavors that
they can be used in virtually every meal. Those seeking to maximize their consumption
of fruits and vegetables should get into the habit of using fruits in salads, as toppings
and as garnishes.
No matter what your reason for following a healthy diet, we believe you will find that
eating more fruits and vegetables is a delicious, as well as a nutritious, way to get the
vitamins and minerals you need every day.
I hope that reading the above information was both enjoyable and educational for you.
When word gets around about your command of healthy diet facts, others who need
to know about fruits and vegetables will start to actively seek you out.
About The Author
Nishanth Reddy, is an author and publisher of many health related websites. For more
information on choosing fruits and vegetable for healthy life style visit
.
Although fruits and vegetables exhibit great nutritional benefits, there is no one fruit or vegetable that
is a complete food. All fruits and vegetables offer outstanding health benefits. Nutritional research
shows that each one contains its own set of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other important
nutrients. To get the maximum health benefits, experts recommend eating a variety of fruits and
vegetables along with other natural foods.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The content on
this website is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your physician before using natural
remedies and before making any drastic changes to your diet or exercise program.
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