Health Benefits of Fruit - Part 2

Honeydew Melon

Honeydew melon is the sweetest and most delicious when it is in season in the summer. Honeydew, like other melons, has a high water content, making it a great choice for people who are trying to lose weight. It is also a very good source of potassium, which helps lower blood pressure and reduces the risk of osteoporosis.

Kiwi

Kiwi is a tropical fruit that is a good source of vitamins C and E, antioxidants that help prevent and manage arthritis, cataracts, and macular degeneration, as well as maintain healthy hair and skin. Like most fruit, kiwi is a high-quality carbohydrate made up of mostly water, making it a good addition to a weight-loss plan.

Lemons

Lemons are a common citrus fruit that are very high in vitamin C, an antioxidant found in many fruits that helps prevent and manage arthritis, cataracts, macular degeneration, and maintain healthy hair and skin. Lemons are a flavorful, low-calorie way to dress salads and jazz up chicken and fish — even a glass of plain or sparkling water. Because lemons and other citrus fruits are possible triggers for IBS and migraine headaches, avoid them if they are problematic for you.

Limes

Limes contain vitamin C (although not nearly as much as lemons). Vitamin C is an antioxidant found in many fruits that helps prevent and manage arthritis, cataracts, macular degeneration, and maintain healthy hair and skin. Limes are a flavorful, low-calorie way to dress salads and jazz up chicken and fish — even a glass of plain or sparkling water. Because limes and other citrus fruits are possible triggers for IBS and migraine headaches, avoid them if they are problematic for you.

Lychees

Lychees are a small tropical fruit with an inedible shell and small, sweet, translucent white flesh. They are an excellent source of vitamin C, an antioxidant found in many fruits that helps prevent and manage arthritis, cataracts, and macular degeneration, and maintain healthy skin.

Mandarin Oranges

Mandarin oranges are smaller than navel oranges and often hard to find fresh. They are commonly found canned in syrup and used in salads. Because the syrup adds calories and sugar, look for mandarin oranges packed in juice and drain them well. If you have type 2 diabetes, you’re better off choosing fresh, whole fruit with no added sugar or juice. Because mandarin oranges and other citrus fruits are possible triggers for IBS and migraine headaches, avoid them if they are problematic for you.

Mangoes

Mangoes, a type of tropical fruit, are a good source of vitamin C and beta-carotene, antioxidants that help prevent arthritis, cataracts, and macular degeneration, as well as maintain healthy hair and skin. IBSsufferers take note: You’ll want to go easy on mangoes if you suffer from diarrhea-predominant IBS.

Nectarines

Nectarines are members of the stone-fruit family and are at their peak during the summer. They are a good source of beta-cryptoxanthin, an antioxidant that helps prevent and manage arthritis, and like most fruit, they provide high-quality carbohydrates and are made up of mostly water, making them a good addition to a weight-loss plan.

Oranges

Oranges are a popular citrus fruit with a high water content and a good amount of fiber, making them a great choice for people who are trying to lose weight or prevent or manage heart disease or type 2 diabetes. They are also a good source of vitamin C, an antioxidant found in many fruits that helps prevent arthritis, cataracts, and macular degeneration, and maintain healthy hair and skin. Folate in oranges may also help slow memory decline. Because oranges and other citrus fruits are possible triggers for IBS and migraine headaches avoid them if they are problematic for you.

Papaya

Papaya is a tropical fruit that is a good source of vitamins C and E and beta-cryptoxanthin, antioxidants that help prevent arthritis, cataracts, and macular degeneration, as well as maintain healthy hair and skin. It also provides potassium, which helps lower blood pressure and the risk of osteoporosis, and folate, a B vitamin that may help slow memory decline. If you suffer from migraines be aware that papaya is a possible trigger.

Peaches

Peaches are members of the stone-fruit family and are at their peak during the late summer. They have a high water content and a good amount of fiber, making them a great choice for people who are trying to lose weight or prevent or manage heart disease. They are also a good source of beta-cryptoxanthin and anthocyanins, antioxidants that help prevent and manage arthritis, cataracts, and macular degeneration, and may help slow memory decline.

Pears

Like many other fresh fruits, pears provide high-quality carbohydrates, a healthy amount of soluble fiber, and a lot of water, making them a good choice if you’re trying to lose weight or have high cholesterol. If you get migraine headaches be aware that red-skinned pears contain tannins, a possible trigger, but brown- and green-skinned varieties are a safe bet.

Persimmons

Persimmons, a type of tropical fruit, are a good source of vitamin C, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that help prevent and manage arthritis, cataracts, and macular degeneration, and maintain healthy hair and skin.

Pineapple

Pineapple is a type of tropical fruit that is a good source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps prevent and manage arthritis, cataracts, and macular degeneration, as well as maintain healthy hair and skin. It also contains manganese, which may reduce PMS symptoms. Like most fruit, pineapple provides high-quality carbohydrates and is made up of mostly water, making it a good addition to a weight-loss plan. Because pineapple is a possible trigger for IBS and migraine headaches avoid this fruit if it is problematic for you.

Plums

Plums are members of the stone-fruit family and are at their peak during the summer. They are good sources of anthocyanins, antioxidants that help prevent arthritis, memory loss, cataracts, and macular degeneration. Potassium in plums also helps lower blood pressure and the risk of osteoporosis. Like most fruit, plums provide high-quality carbohydrates and are made up of mostly water, making them a good addition to a weight-loss plan. If you get migraine headaches be aware that red- and purple-skinned plums contain tannins, a possible trigger.

Prunes

Prunes, aka dried plums, aren't just for your grandparents anymore — they’re good for people of all ages! They are a terrific source of soluble fiber, which helps to lower cholesterol and promote regularity. If you have type 2 diabetes or are trying to lose weight, it is best to limit your intake of prunes and other dried fruit because of the higher sugar and calorie concentration compared with fresh fruit. Potassium in prunes helps lower blood pressure and the risk of osteoporosis, and prunes rank high on the antioxidant scale, making them protective against cataracts and macular degeneration. If you suffer from migraines be aware that prunes may contain added sulfites, a possible migraine trigger.

Raisins

Raisins (dried grapes) are a good source of potassium, a mineral involved in lowering blood pressure and risk of osteoporosis. If you have type 2 diabetes or are trying to lose weight, it is best to limit your intake of raisins and other dried fruit because of the higher sugar and calorie concentration compared with that of fresh fruit. If you suffer from migraines be aware that raisins may contain added sulfites, a possible migraine trigger.

Tangerines

Tangerines are a variety of mandarin oranges, smaller than navel oranges and easier to peel and eat. Like oranges, tangerines are a good source of vitamin C, an antioxidant found in many fruits that helps prevent and manage arthritis, cataracts, and macular degeneration, and maintain healthy hair and skin. Like most fruit, they provide high-quality carbohydrates and are made up of mostly water, making them a good addition to a weight-loss plan. Because tangerines and other citrus fruits are possible triggers for IBS and migraine headaches avoid them if they are problematic for you.

Watermelon

Watermelon, like other melons, has a high water content and is low in calories, making it a great choice for people who are trying to lose weight. Watermelon is a good source of vitamin C and beta-carotene, antioxidants found in many fruits that help prevent arthritis, cataracts, and macular degeneration, and maintain healthy hair and skin.