In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleBlueberriesApplesOrangesPrunesRaspberriesBlackberriesBananasTomatoesWatermelonAvocados
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
Blueberries
Apples
Oranges
Prunes
Raspberries
Blackberries
Bananas
Tomatoes
Watermelon
Avocados
Having a healthy gut can improve heart health, boost immunity and evenbenefit mental health.Eating more fruit is an easy way to keep your gut bacteria happy—and these 10 fruits pack in a plethora of health benefits with every bite.
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1. Blueberries
“Blueberries are a nutritional powerhouse,” says Lon Ben-Asher, M.S., RD, LDN, a nutritionist at Pritikin Longevity Center. “They contain anthocyanins, which are phytochemical flavonoids that give them a blue/purple color and act as antioxidants that kill free radicals.”
Along with the antioxidants reducing inflammation in the body,blueberries are also rich in numerous vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin K and manganese. Blueberries are also a rich source of soluble fiber, which is “important in reducing cardiovascular disease and helping to blunt the glucose spike in people with blood sugar compromise,” says Ben-Asher.
2. Apples
“Apples have many anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that have been shown to reduce the risk of many chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer due to the polyphenolic compounds,” says Ben-Asher. “[They’re] also rich in soluble and insoluble fiber, which helps support gastrointestinal health.”
Althoughthese fibers are different—soluble fiber absorbs water and creates a gel that moves food quickly through your digestive tract, while insoluble fiber helps to bulk up stool and makes it easier to go to the bathroom—apples contain both, helping you feel full and satiated.
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3. Oranges
While oranges are popularly known for beinghigh in vitamin C, they also provide a unique set of nutrients, including potassium, iron, calcium, vitamin E and numerous B vitamins. Vitamin C helps to buildcollagen, which delays skin aging and keeps you looking young.
Orange pulp is also high in polyphenols, which help to protect your cells from damage, per a 2021 study published in the journalMolecules.
4. Prunes
Dried fruits, especially prunes, can also be a beneficial source of nutrients in your diet. Prunes are known tohelp with digestionthanks to their high fiber content, helping to bulk stool and making it easier to go to the bathroom.
Prunes also contain a high amount ofvitamin K, which helps to develop certain proteins needed for blood clotting and bone-building.Studies show eating pruneshelps with preventing or delaying bone loss.
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5. Raspberries
Of all fruits,raspberries are known for having one of the highest amounts of fiber, containing 8 grams per cup—that’s 32% of your day’s worth of fiber!Getting a sufficient amount of fiberin your diet is important for weight management, reducing your risk of heart disease and diabetes, keeping your gut microbiome healthy and keeping your blood sugar levels steady.
Raspberries are also known for being a rich source of magnesium, which helps regulate numerous bodily functions such as protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood sugar control and blood pressure, per theNational Institutes of Health.
6. Blackberries
Blackberries are equally as high in fiber as raspberries, with almost 8 g per cup, per theUSDA. However, blackberries are known for being a richer source of antioxidants, manganese, copper, vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin K. Similar to blueberries, blackberries also contain anthocyanins, those powerful antioxidants thathelp calm inflammationand reduce disease risk.
7. Bananas
Regularly including bananas in your dietmay also improve your heart health and reduce your overall risk of chronic disease. This is, in part, thanks to their high antioxidant content.
8. Tomatoes
While tomatoes are typically associated with vegetables because we typically eat them in savory preparations, they are considered a fruit—and should be incorporated into your healthy eating plan. Along with a burst of vitamin A,tomatoesare one of the top sources of lycopene—another powerful antioxidant that can help eliminate free radicals and reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases.
If you’re wondering if you should avoid eatingtomatoes due to their lectin content, the answer is, probably not. Lectins are compounds found in plants that can potentially block the absorption of minerals. Some experts encourage avoiding foods high in lectins. However, the reality is that all plants contain some types of lectins in varying degrees. And those that are highest in lectins are the ones we tend to eat cooked—and cooking deactivates the lectins. If you’re concerned about lectins in tomatoes, cook the tomatoes first or use canned tomatoes and sauces.
9. Watermelon
Watermelonis another fruit that’s high in lycopene. It’s also considered one of the most hydrating fruits—92% of watermelon flesh is water. While this alone is a great reason to enjoy this fruit—especially during the hot summer months—eating watermelon can also help relieve sore muscles after exercise, due to its potassium content. Moreover, watermelon is one of the best fruits tosupport healthy blood pressure.
10. Avocados
“Avocados are rich in fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin E and K, which help support healthy skin, hair, nails and cell membrane permeability, as well as water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin C, and many B vitamins that help support the immune system and ocular health,” says Ben-Asher. “They are also great sources of healthy, polyunsaturated omega-3 fats and monounsaturated fats, which are used to replace saturated fats, have been shown to reduce cardiovascular disease and improve blood sugar control.”
A 2022 study published in theJournal of the American Heart Associationalso found eating avocados can be beneficial for lowering LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels, helping to keep the arteries clear and positively benefiting heart health.
The Bottom Line
Fruits offer a host of nutrients, from vitamins and minerals to fiber and antioxidants. You caneat fruit if you have diabetes. So if you’ve been avoiding fruit, even if it’s not on purpose, it’s time to become acquainted with it again.
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