It's hot outside and a nice cold piece of fruit is a wonderful treat to cool you off. And as an added benefit, summer fruits are packed with tons of nutrients. You may be surprised by some of the benefits of eating certain summer fruits. Read on and then try different fruits to cool you down instead of reaching for a bowl of ice cream or a piece of cake. (OR, you can top your favorite frozen yogurt with some of these wonderful fruits!)
* Apricots - This is not a fruit I normally reach for in the store, but a while back, Dr. Oz featured dried apricots and pistachios as an easy go to snack for busy days, and I got to thinking about the nutritional benefits of this fruit, and was surprised. Apricots are packed with vitamins A & C, as well as the minerals calcium and iron. They contain no fat, and just a small amount of carbs. Surprisingly, apricots are good for earaches, overall digestion of food, and they also aid in preventing cancer. They help in preventing dehydration on a hot summer day, since they provide necessary water to the body.
* Cantaloupe - Cantaloupe is a staple around our home in the summer. We cut up a couple of them at a time and keep them in a big bowl that is easy to grab during a snack attack or as a sweet dessert after a meal. Cantaloupe contains a large amount of vitamin A, C, and B6, along with various other nutrients. It is most helpful in preventing lung cancer.
* Blackberries - I must confess, I do like this fruit, but it does tend to be a bit pricey, so I don't buy it as much as I would like to. However, researching the benefits of blackberries, they certainly seem to be worth the extra money. Blackberries contain polyphenol antioxidants that protect the body from damaging oxidative stress and they also reduce the risk of esophageal cancer. Eating blackberries has been found to be beneficial for relieving discomfort from intestinal inflamation and diarrhea. They are also used to treat mild infections like sore throats and mouth irritations. Another awesome benefit for some people, I have no idea who :), is that ageing can be delayed with the regular consumption of blackberries.
* Strawberries - The heart shape of the strawberry is very appropriate since it is very potent in protecting your heart. Strawberries increase HDL (good) cholesterol, lower your blood pressure, and guard against cancer. They are packed with vitamins, fiber, and, like blackberries, are particularly high in polyphenol antioxidants known as polyphenols, ranking among the top 20 fruits in antioxidant capacity. They are also a good source of manganese, potassium, and in just one serving (8 strawberries) there is more vitamin C than an orange. (Side note: An interesting fact about strawberries, they are actually a member of the rose family and aren't actually a fruit or berry, but are actually the enlarged receptacle of the flower.
* Plums - Plums are rich in dietary fiber, which, of course, helps improve the digestive system. They contain vitamin C which is good for the body tissue and the immune system. Vitamin C also prevents the flu and colds. The body mainly uses plums to prevent diseases like colon cancer, rheumatoid athritis, osteoarthritis, and asthma.
* Watermelon - Watermelon is such a super sweet treat in the summer time! It is 90% water, so it is a terrific treat for those hot summer days to help us keep hydrated and re-energized. It is a good source of vitamins A, C, B, carbohydrates, potassium, and antioxidants. They also contain amino acids which can help keep arteries and blood flow to our hearts in fine order, as well as being an excellent source of lycopene (higher than any other fruit or vegetable) and vitamin A which are excellent nutrients for improving the health of our eyes.
So, the next time you visit the grocery store or local farmer's market, consider the benefits of these awesome summer fruits as a wonderful way of getting your sweet tooth cravings satisfied as well as get all the health benefits from these wonderful desserts of nature!
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