Studies have shown that intake of fruits contributes immensely to our healthy living. Fruits is a huge source of vitamins which is needed by our body. As we look at the top ten fruits that can be commonly found in Nigeria, we hope you will take note of its benefits and make it a duty to include fruits has part of your daily meals.
WATER MELONSource of Energy Production
Watermelon is concentrated with b-vitamins. B-vitamins are responsible for a lot of your body’s energy production. This means eating watermelon can give you substantial energy. It also has high amounts energizing nutrients of magnesium and potassium.
Eating watermelon is a safe alternative to taking energy drinks prior to exercise. It also hydrates you due to its high water content as opposed to caffeine filled energy drinks that dehydrate you.
Antioxidants
Watermelon is a natural source of nature’s most powerful antioxidants.
It is a good source of the antioxidant vitamins C and A.
It is also a good source of the powerful antioxidant beta-carotene.
Watermelon’s antioxidants can help prevent a number of things.
It reduces the risk of colon cancer, asthma, heart disease, osteoperosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and prostate cancer.
Kidney Disorders: Water Melon contains a lot of potassium, which is very helpful in cleaning or washing off the toxic depositions in the kidneys. Moreover, it is helpful in reducing concentration of uric acid in the blood, thereby reducing the chances of kidney damages and formation of renal calculi in it. Added to these, being high in water content, it induces frequent urinating, which is again helpful for cleaning of kidneys. Also, the anti oxidants present ensures good health of kidneys for a long time.
High Blood Pressure: A good amount of Potassium and magnesium, present in water melons, are very good in bringing down the blood pressure. The carotenoids present in them prevent hardening of walls of arteries and veins, thereby helping reduce blood pressure.
Diabetes: Diabetes patients, who are supposed to have low energy and low sugar diet, often complaint about starving since they don’t get to eat their staple diet to their full, giving them a feeling of keeping half fed. Water Melons can be a good supplement for them.
In spite of being sweet in taste, a thick wedge will give you very few calories, since ninety nine percent of its total weight is composed of water and roughage. Moreover, the various vitamins and minerals such as potassium and magnesium help in proper functioning of insulin in the body, thus lowering the blood sugar level. Arginine, another component found in water melons, is very effective in enhancing impact of insulin on sugar.
Heart Care: Lypocene, a carotenoid found in abundance in water melon, improves cardiac functions. Beta carotene, known for its remarkable anti oxidant and anti aging properties, also keeps you young at the heart and prevents age related cardiac problems.
The roughage in water melon and its very low energy, with help from vitamin-C, Carotenoids and potassium (potassium cuts the risk of a heart attack), help reduce cholesterol and keep your heart safe.
Impotence: Arginine, present in water melon, is beneficial in curing erectile dysfunctions.
Arginine seems to improve sexual function in men with impotence. Arginine boosts nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels.
A study of 50 men with impotence reported significant improved sexual function after arginine supplementation.
Macular Degeneration
Eating watermelon can protect against the negative effects of macular degeneration.
Macular degeneration is just a fancy word for loss of vision.
Leave your worry of eyes on that beta carotene, that vitamin-C and those Lutein and Zeaxanthin.
They will ensure protection of your eyes from macular degeneration. They are experts in that.
These anti oxidants will protect your eyes from other age related ailments such as drying up of eyes and optical nerves, glaucoma etc.
Cancer Prevention
Watermelon is a rich natural source of lycopene, a carotenoid of great interest because of its antioxidant capacity and potential health benefits. Dietary consumption of the carotenoid lycopene has been associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer. Data from studies provides evidence that increased consumption of lycopene-containing foods might reduce the occurrence or progression of prostate cancer. The results of a study suggest that vegetables and fruits rich in lycopene and other carotenoids may be protective against prostate cancer.
To determine whether dietary intake of lycopene and other carotenoids has an etiological association with prostate cancer, a study was conducted of 130 prostate cancer patients. The prostate cancer risk declined with increasing consumption of lycopene, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin.
Nutrient Profile Per Serving
Vitamin A: 10%
Vitamin C: 25%
Vitamin B6: 10%
Vitamin B1: 10%
Magnesium: 7%
Potassium: 5%
That is the end of fruits one, our next fruit to look on next will be PAWPAW
PAWPAWPaw-paw has many nutritional and health benefits. It is easily digestible and aids in the digestion of other foods.
It is rich in vitamin A and C, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, iron, and soluble vegetable fiber.
It is recommended that paw-paw be taken regularly. Paw-paw is much desirable and enjoyed when eaten fresh and ripe. Taking it in this way makes it to become an excellent breakfast and desert. Paw-paw juice mixed with milk is an excellent blood tonic, dessert and appetizer. Paw-paw prevents stomach troubles, such as indigestion, constipation, and peptic ulcers.
Paw-paw is rich in enzymes called pa-pain, which help in the breakdown of protein into amino acids and digestion.
Eating paw-paw after a meal aids digestion and prevents bloating and chronic indigestion.
Paw-paw is very good in treating infective diarrhea, due to its emollient action. Paw-paw is rich in vitamin A, which helps in the prevention of skin problems like eczema, pimples, and acne. Paw-paw with its vitamin A helps to protect the eye.
Paw-paw is also very good for the skin because of the amount of vitamin A it contains, and not only does it make the skin soft and tight, but it also deals with skin disorders such as acne, pimples and eczema. The vitamin A in paw-paw is also good for the eyesight, muscles, and nerves. It known that paw-paw helps to tighten and smooths the skin, due to the presence of enzymes.
According to the DIY treatment recommended by spa expert Stella Cray can be tried thus: using a spoon, scoop out papaya seeds and throw away. Then scoop out the pink flesh and put in a blender with 6 ounces of plain yogurt, blend for about one minute until smooth. Stand over and old towel and using a circular motion, massage the mixture over problem spots like the stomach and thighs.
Wrap the area strongly with cellophane tape. Then grab a good book and read, relaxing for about 30 minutes before peeling off the plastic and rinsing skin with water.
It works because papaya’s enzymes called pa-pains stimulates collagen production band slough off the top layer of dead skin cells to reveal softer smoother, and firmer skin. The warmed from the plastic wrap allows moisturizing yogurt to penetrate more deeply into the skin.
Massaging the body helps circulation, causing hydrating blood to flow to cellulite prone areas, plumping skin and reducing dimples. With repeated use, the vitamin C in the fruit strengthens the skin to further reduce cellulite. Paw-paw therefore can give you a cellulite free thighs.
Paw-paw improves digestion of protein and expels worms. The ripe fruits are rich in vitamin A, B, and C. Vitamin A is excellent for a good eyesight, muscles, nerves. The vitamin C is generally known to strengthen the immune system and assist in combating diseases.
As a worm expeller, chew two tablespoons of seeds of unripe paw-paw fruit, first and last thing in the morning and night respectively, for about three days. For malaria fever and jaundice, squeeze some yellow paw-paw leaves in water and take a glassful three times daily for seven days.
For stomach ulcer, cut a big unripe fruit of papaya and put in a bottle with water, store for four days, sieve and take half a glass, thrice daily for two weeks. For chronic external ulcers or sores, cut a piece of unripe pawpaw fruit and tie directly to the wound. Do this four times daily. Continue till the wound has dried, which will be in few days or weeks. To make the wound heal faster, eat plenty of ripe pawpaw.
For Asthma, burn the dry leaves of papaya and inhale whenever there is an attack. Also prevent further attacks by inhaling the smoke every night. The vitamin C in paw-paw fruit reinforces the entire immune system and gives the body the support that is required to overcome many diseases.
Malaria fever- Squeeze some yellow pawpaw leafs in water. Take a glassful three times daily for seven days. This preparation is also good for jaundice. The dosage is the same.
Diabetes- The green leafs of pawpaw are good foe diabetes-induced hypertension. Squeeze the green leaves in water and take a glass thrice daily. This preparation is also good for constipation.
Bronchitis- The root of the pawpaw plant is a good remedy for respiratory problems especially bronchitis. Bring some pawpaw roots to boil and take ½ a glass thrice daily. For cough, simply chew a tender pawpaw root and swallow the juice.
Piles- Pawpaw root is effective for the cure of piles. Prepare as for bronchitis. The dosage is half a glass twice daily.
Impotence- Cut two unripe pawpaw fruits into pieces (seeds and peel inclusive). Bring to boil in eight bottles of water. Take half glass thrice daily.
MANGOES
Anti cancer: The phenols in mangoes, such as quercetin, isoquercitrin, astragalin, fisetin, gallic acid and methylgallat, as well as the abundant enzymes, have cancer-preventing capacities. Mango is also high in a soluble dietary fiber known as pectin. Scientist have identified a strong link between eating lots of fiber and a lower risk of cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. A cup of sliced mangoes (around 165 gram) contain 76 percent of the needed daily value of vitamin C, a potent antioxidant which helps protect cells from free radical damage and reduces risk of cancer.
Eye health: One cup of sliced mangoes supplies 25 percent of the needed daily value of vitamin A, which promotes good eyesight. Eating mangoes regularly prevents night blindness, refractive errors, dryness of the eyes, softening of the cornea, itching and burning in the eyes.
Helps in digestion: Mangoes contain digestive enzymes that help break down proteins and aid digestion. It is also valuable to combat acidity and poor digestion because of an enzyme found in the fruit which soothes the stomach. Due to the high amounts of fiber found in mango, it can be a helpful in keeping you regular, thereby helping or preventing constipation. Eating one or two small tender mangoes in which the seed is not fully formed with salt and honey is found to be very effective medicine for summer diarrhoea, dysentery, piles, morning sickness, chronic dyspepsia, indigestion and constipation.
Benefits to skin: Mango is effective in relieving clogged pores of the skin. What this means is that people who suffer from acne, which is caused by clogged pores, will benefit from mango. Just remove the mango pulp and apply it on your skin for about 10 minutes before washing it. Eating mango regularly makes the complexion fair and the skin soft and shining.
Helps in diabetes: Mango leaves help normalize insulin levels in the blood. Boil a few mango leaves in water and allow it to saturate through the night. Consume the filtered decoction in the morning for diabetic home remedy. The glycemic index of mango is low, ranging between 41-60. So, mango does not have any significant effect in increasing blood sugar levels.
For better sex: The Vitamin E that is abundantly present in mangoes helps to regulate sex hormones and boosts sex drive.
Beneficial for anemia: Mangoes are beneficial for pregnant women and individuals suffering from anemia because of their iron content. Also, vitamin C in the mango enhances the absorption of iron from vegetable food like rice. Generally women after menopause become weak and they should take mangoes and other fruits rich in iron.
Boost memory: Mangoes are useful to children who lack concentration in studies as it contains Glutamine acid which is good to boost memory and keep cells active.
Avoid heat stroke: Unripe mangoes, a rich source of pectin, when steamed and juiced with cumin (jeera), rock salt and sugar, provide an excellent remedy for heat stroke and heat exhaustion in summer.
Weight gain: Mangoes can be beneficial for people wanting to gain weight. A 100 gram of mango contains about 75 calories. Also, raw mangoes contain starch which get converted into sugar as the fruit ripens. So ripe and sweet mangoes when consumed with milk (rich in protein) can be very helpful in weight gain.
Nutritional Value of Mango
One medium sized mango comprises of:
Calories – 107
Protein – 0.84 g
Carbohydrate – 28 g
Total Fat – 0.45 g
Fiber – 3 g
Vitamin A – 6425 IU
Vitamin C – 45.7mg
Magnesium – 18 mg
Potassium – 300 mg
Calcium – 20 g
Cholesterol – 0 g
Saturated fat – 0 g
Mango is High in Iron
Mango is a fruit that is very high in iron. Women, especially, need to increase the amount of iron that they consume due to the large amounts that they lose during menstruation. Pregnant women also need to think about increasing the amount of iron that they consume. People with an iron deficiency, which is called anemia, would also benefit from the high amount of iron offered in mango.
Mango May Get Rid of Acne
It is believed that mango may help unclog pores. What this means is that people who suffer from acne, which is caused by clogged pores, will benefit from mango. All that you need to do in order to take advantage of this property of mango is apply thin slices to the area of skin that you want to clear up. Leave the mango there for about ten minutes before rinsing the skin with warm water.
Mango is an Anti-Inflammatory Fruit
One of the main benefits of mango is that it offers anti-inflammatory properties. This is known to help the body in a number of different ways. It can reduce pain from conditions such as arthritis. Mango is also known to relieve symptoms from asthma due to the anti-inflammatory benefits that it has to offer.
PINEAPPLE
Pineapple is loaded with Vitamins and Minerals: The obvious benefits of pineapple are all the vitamins and minerals the fruit is loaded with. Its nutrients include calcium, potassium, fiber, and vitamin C. In addition it is low in fat and cholesterol.
It Strengthens weak bones: One of the benefits of pineapple is that it helps to build healthy bones. Pineapples are rich in manganese, a trace mineral that is needed for your body to build bone and connective tissues. Just one cup of pineapple provides 73% of the daily recommended amount of manganese. The benefits of pineapple can effect the growth of bones in young people and the strengthening of bones in older people.
It is Good for Gums: Your gums are very important to keep healthy. The gums hold the teeth in place and your teeth would be in bad condition if you have unhealthy gums. By eating pineapple, you are strengthening your gums to make it through the hard years later.
It Prevents Macular Degeneration: Pineapples contain a lot of beta-carotene that is good for the eyes and for your vision. Studies show that eating three or more helpings of pineapple a day may lower your chance of getting age-related macular degeneration, the main cause of vision loss in older folks.
IT Helps Arthritis (diseases of the joints): Bromelain is also considered an effective anti-inflammatory. Regular ingestion of at least one half cup of fresh pineapple daily is purported to relieve painful joints common to osteoarthritis. It produces mild pain relief. In Germany, bromelain is approved as a post-injury medication because it is thought to reduce inflammation and swelling.
Coughs and Colds: While many people often take extra vitamin C or drink extra orange juice when they have a cold, few consider eating pineapple. The benefits of pineapple when you have a cold or cough are the same as the benefits of orange juice, but there is an additional benefit of pineapple. Bromelain, which is found in pineapples, has been found to help suppress coughs and loosen mucus.
Digestion: The bromelain found in pineapples aids in digestion. Eating one slice of pineapple after each meal will reduce gas, bloating, nausea, constipation and the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Fresh pineapple juice also aids in removing intestinal worms.
Sinusitis and Bronchitis: Bromelain has been shown helpful for upper respiratory tract infections such as Sinusitis and Bronchitis. Bromelain helps to reducing nasal inflammation and break up the mucus in the nasal, sinus and respiratory area.
Blood Clots: Pineapples can help reduce the risk of blood clots due to the bromelain present in the fruit and thereby preventsing heart problems.
When you eat pineapples, you have a better chance at having a healthier life.
Nutritive Value : Per 100 gm.
Vitamin A : 130 I.U.
Vitamin C : 24 mg.
Calcium : 16 mg.
Phosphorus : 11 mg.
Potassium : 150 mg.
Carbohydrates : 13.7 gm.
Calories : 52
Pineapple is also Beneficial in the following condition :
It is regulates the gland and found to be helpful in cases of goiter(enlargement of the thyroid gland).
Dyspepsia (chronic digestive disturbance).
Bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial tubes.)
High Blood pressure.
Fresh pineapple juice is also used in removing intestinal worms.
Fresh pineapple juice has been used to combat diphtheria and other infections of the throat or other parts of the body.
Prevents nausea (includes morning sickness and motion sickness), Take 230 cc. of pineapple juice or papaya juice.
Eating fruits does not mean buying fruits, cutting it and popping it into our mouths.It involves more than that.It is important to know how and when to eat fruits. Let me show you the correct way of eating fruits.
Research has shown that it is important not to eat fruits after your meals, fruits should be eaten on an empty stomach.If you eat fruits like that,it will play a major role to detoxify your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.
Bear in mind that fruits is the most important food but eating fruits after meals causes stomach discomfort as the fruits come in contact with the meal. The whole meal rots and ferments turning into acid.This could lead to cancer because the moment fruits come into contact with food in the stomach and digestive juices, the food begins to spoil.
Taking fruits on an empty stomach prevents graying hair,balding,nervous outburst and dark circles around the eyes. Fruits that are considered acidic like oranges and lemon don’t cause harm because all fruits become alkaline in our bodies according to research.
The secret of true beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight lies in mastering the correct way of eating fruits.Try this and achieve your desired weight and beauty.
Soursop is a fruit that has the most delectable flavor. The soursop is a large fruit of a small, fast-growing tree. The fruit is picked from the tree before it has fully ripened as it will be badly bruised if allowed to ripen and fall. The fruit is mature and is ready for eating when it feels slightly soft and is light green externally. The skin is thin and is covered with conical nibs. The white, pulpy flesh, which contains juice, is peppered with small shiny, black inedible seeds, and has a pleasant, sweet-acidic taste. As it is rather fibrous, its squeezed juice makes a better choice, and has, in fact become more popular than the fresh fruit as such. Soursop has few seedless varieties, but they are rare, and tend to have fibrous flesh.
Medicinal Benefits: Soursop is not only a delicious and healthy fruit but it is use medicinally to treat illness ranging from stomach ailments to worms.
• The seeds, which have emetic properties, can be used in the treatment of vomiting.
• The leaf decoction is effective for head lice and bedbugs.
• The crushed fresh leaves can be applied on skin eruptions to promote healing.
• The juice of the fruit can be taken orally as a remedy for urethritis, haematuria and liver ailments.
• The juice when taken when fasting, it is believed to relieve liver ailments and leprosy.
• To speed the healing of wounds, the flesh of the soursop is applied as a poultice unchanged for 3 days.
• A decoction of the young shoots or leaves is regarded as a remedy for gall bladder trouble, as well as coughs, catarrh, diarrhea, dysentery, fever and indigestion.
• Mashed leaves are used as a poultice to alleviate eczema and other skin problems and rheumatism.
• The root bark is use as an antidote for poisoning.
• Soursop flowers are believed to alleviate catarrh.
• Decoction of leaves used as compresses for inflammation and swollen feet.
Nutrient Value per 100 grams servings:
• Vitamin: C 20.6
• Calcium: 14
• Iron: 0.6
• Calories: 66
• Dietary Fiber: 3.3g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 14mg
• Sugars: 13.54g
• Total Carbohydrate: 16.84g
• Total Fat: 0.3g
• Saturated Fat: 0.05g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 0.09g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.06g
Culinary uses: eaten fresh as fruit; made into cakes, ice cream, preserved, beverages and for flavoring. The young soursop, where the seeds are still soft, is used as a vegetable. The fermented fruit is also use to make an apple cider-like drink.
