The Nutritional Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits are the edible parts of plants that consist of the seeds and surrounding tissues. Vegetables are plants cultivated for their edible parts. A lot of us knows what fruits and vegetables are. Although we eat fruits and vegetables we don't know their nutritional benefits, perhaps we know they are nutritionally good for our health but don't know what their nutritional benefits are. 

Let's look at the nutritional benefits.

1. Fruits and Vegetables contain many vitamins and minerals that are very good for our health such as beta-carotene, Folic acid , Vitamins A, C & E, Magnesium, Zinc, Phosphorus.

2. Fruits and Vegetables contain phytochemicals that help protect against some diseases.

3. Fruits and Vegetables contain dietary fiber which helps to lower the incidence of cardio vascular disease & obesity. Dietary fibre also helps  to lower blood pressure and together with phytochemicals such as plant sterols, flavonoids and other antioxidants plays a role in modulating cholesterol and other biological processes that could reduce the risk of atherosclerosis (thickening of the arteries).

4. Fruits and Vegetables have a lot of nutritional benefits, no single fruit or vegetable  contains all nutrient e. g. water melon contains lycopene. Lycopene helps get rid of radicals that are harmful to the body while pineapples contain malic acid which boosts immunity and assists in maintaining oral health , Citrus (orange, grape)  contain flavonoids which contain anticancer properties, citrus are also high in vitamin C. Vitamin helps in wound healing and also helps to hold blood vessels and bone together.

We can see that different fruits and vegetables have different nutritional content. It is therefore advisable to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to get the most health benefits and protection against disease. Variety of fruits and vegetables is as important as quantity. 

Eat more fruits & vegetables!

Thanks for reading! 

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Article by:

Ifeoluwa Ishola

Food, Nutrients & Health

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