As we all know, anything to do with fruit is actually not a well-guarded secret. We're all aware consuming fruit has amazing health benefits like being a great source of what we call "good sugar", antioxidants and vitamin C. But let's dedicate this post to the lesser known and oft forgotten fruits. Before we get started though, I will note that while not exactly "lesser known", the properties of pears and pomegranates are not as well known so that's why they made my list. Up first I have, Squash -Yes, it's a fruit! I had to do my googles about it just to make sure. There's actually "seasonal" squash, too! Winter, summer, and autumn squash. Probably the most recognizable is the butternut squash - a winter squash. But my favorite is zucchini - a summer squash. And I was recently introduced to another summer squash I had never heard of before: Mirliton! We can look at squash as almost a "cure-all"! Literally because it has everything! Just like carrots, squash can aid in improving vision and skin care, and also has been known to combat cancerous cells. Like milk, certain types of squash helps bone strength and keeps our heat pumping healthily. The list goes on and on from reducing insomnia symptoms to protecting against birth defects. The vitamin content? It has a cornucopia (haha, get it?) of vitamin A. But you probably concluded that from squash's health benefits that closely align with carrots. Squash has a lot of vitamin E which is why it's fantastic for our skin. Other natural vitamins included are: C, B6, and folate. Source: https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/squash.html |
Forget oranges and grapefruits if you're looking for an inordinate amount of vitamin C. Just turn to kiwis! And just like squash, kiwis pack quite a nutritional punch! Also similar to squash, kiwi fruit is a good source of folate and helps develop and maintain beautiful skin. It helps improve vision, boosts our immune system, and reduces blood pressure. But kiwi also:
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Surprising us all, kiwi also contains omega 3 fatty acids. You know, those really good and needed fats found in tuna or salmon?
Kumquat -
For such a tiny fruit, kumquats carry more -- and relatively unknown -- benefits than their bigger and similar counterparts. According to phlabs.com, the vitamin C in these "small...oblong shaped fruits that resemble oranges" improve your immune system and helps "your skin cells renew so your skin looks fresh and healthy". The vitamin A in kumquats helps your skin, too. This vitamin also helps kumquats do wonders for your eyesight. Strong bones, digestive health (fiber), and maintaining blood sugar levels are added additions to this underrated super fruit! |
Honey Dew -
Personally, I've never even eaten honeydew, but I'm told this green fruit is super sweet and juicy like its other melon "siblings".
Just like all the fruits previously mentioned, honeydew shares many of their benefits. But, one benefit of this fruit does stand out from the rest and that's that honeydew may help with healthy brain function!
Honeydew also has a high-water content, is loaded with potassium, and is cholesterol-free and totally fat-free; making it a wonderful post-workout snack.
Just like all the fruits previously mentioned, honeydew shares many of their benefits. But, one benefit of this fruit does stand out from the rest and that's that honeydew may help with healthy brain function!
Honeydew also has a high-water content, is loaded with potassium, and is cholesterol-free and totally fat-free; making it a wonderful post-workout snack.
Pomegranate -
When was the last time any of us ate a pomegranate or even drank pomegranate juice? If you're struggling to figure out your answer, believe me, you're not alone! In fact, I can recall only tasting pomegranate juice. And it was most likely from concentrate so vis-a-vis, loaded with sugar my body doesn't need.
But when consumed in its purest form, pomegranates have superb properties that our health and bodies love. Other than the obvious benefits that go along with every fruit — vitamin C, antioxidants — pomegranates are our friend when fighting dental plaque because of the juice's "antibacterial activity" and also helps protect against Alzheimer's. Source: https://www.medicaldaily.com/pomegranate-health-benefits-fruit-helps-protect-against-plaque-hunger-and-certain-340020 | There is something I've never heard of called Flavonols in pomegranate juice that aids in blocking various types of arthritis. This fruit is thriving with vitamin K which we have yet to discuss in this post. Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin and makes it an important factor in wound healing! And here's two fun facts about pomegranates: It is a lovely, healthy fertility aid and increases testosterone levels in both sexes - and that means a higher sex drive! Also note that pomegranate juice is a wonderful workout buddy because it's a healthy sport performance enhancer, reduces soreness, and improves strength recovery. Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318385.php |
Pear -
Out of this list, the pear is probably the most common. But did you know that this curvylicious fruit can reduce your risk of having a stroke by as much as 52 percent? If the American Heart Association published the article that contained that info, we can probably guarantee its validity. Like pomegranates, pears harbor a lot of vitamin K.
Pears have a low calorie count. So if you're on the weight-loss road, pears are one of your best fruit friends.
Pears have a low calorie count. So if you're on the weight-loss road, pears are one of your best fruit friends.
So there you have it! The A, B, C's of our local neglected fruit. Thanks for sticking with me while both of us learned which of these fruits we probably should introduce into each of our specifically tailored healthy lifestyle! Even though I tend to spend an extra $1.50 on organic fruit or go to Sprouts, not everyone — even me — can always take that luxury. But as long as you start introducing fruit into your daily diet, you're one step closer a healthier you!
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