Fruit is one of summer’s most iconic foods. Not only is it in season, which makes it easy to find fresh fruit to enjoy, it’s also full of hydration and nutrients to boost your health all summer long. Plus, fruit makes a delicious addition to not only snacks and desserts, but savory meals like dinner as well. Here’s a list of four popular summer fruits and their top health benefits:
- Mangoes – rich in antioxidants, high in fiber, supports eye health
- Peaches – high in vitamin C, rich in vitamin E, boosts immune system
- Papaya – protects heart health, reduces cholesterol, high in folic acid
- Kiwi – high in fiber, rich in vitamin C, good source of potassium
In the rest of this article, we’ll explain the health benefits of each fruit in more detail, in addition to sharing ideas for preparing and eating them. So, let’s get started!
4 Popular Summer Fruits And Their Health Benefits
Mangoes
Like many fruits, mangoes are an excellent source of antioxidants that can help your body fight off free radicals and maintain healthy hair and skin. Plus, their flesh has more in common with carrots than just the color – they’re full of carotenoids, which can help protect the health of your eyes.
Mangoes have a sweet, mild flavor that pairs well with savory dishes and desserts alike. Try slicing some up and adding them to a salad, cooking them with meat, or just eating one plain.
Peaches
If you’re not a big fan of the sharp, tangy flavor of citrus, peaches are a great way to add more vitamin C to your diet. They contain 11% of the recommended daily amount! In addition to vitamin C, peaches also contain vision-boosting beta-carotene, high amounts of fiber, and the antioxidant vitamin E.
Peaches make a great snack on their own, and can also be cooked with savory dishes or baked into delicious desserts.
Papaya
To protect your heart’s health, antioxidant-rich food like papayas are a perfect addition to your diet. By preventing cholesterol in your body from oxidizing, antioxidants help reduce the risk of heart disease-causing blockages. Its folic acid also helps your body stay healthy by converting harmful amino acids into more wholesome versions.
In addition to having a sweet, delicious fruit, papaya seeds are also edible. After removing the slimy outer coating, you can grind them up and use them as a substitute for black pepper.
Kiwi
Fiber is well-known for helping the digestive tract stay healthy, but did you know that its cholesterol-busting abilities also help reduce the risk of heart disease? Plus, even though kiwis are small, they are mighty. They contain higher concentrations of nutrients than many other popular fruits, including almost twice as much vitamin C as an orange.
If you just grab a spoon, kiwis are a convenient take-along snack! Simply cut one in half and then scoop out and eat the tangy flesh. You could also cut one up for a fruit salad or even pair it with a savory food like cheese.
We hope this article gave you some ideas for eating more fruit this summer. Your body (and taste buds!) will thank you.
