Eating fruits and veggies have always been linked to a lot of health benefits, such as their ability to reduce risk in developing chronic diseases and manage body weight. The World Health Organization, also known as WHO, and the Food and Agriculture of the United Nation suggest adults eat at least five servings of vegetables (with the exclusion of starchy vegetables) and fruits every day (1).
Fruits have been a widely recognized source of vitamins and minerals. They play an important role in replenishing vitamins in the body, most especially the vitamins A and C. In North America and the United Kingdom, vitamin C deficiency is experienced by one in five men and one in nine women (2). This data is from progressive countries alone, so just imagine what the rate of vitamin C deficiency in third-world countries would be like. Vitamin deficiencies are quite common, but something as simple as eating fruits can remedy that.
How Does Eating Fruit Provide Health Benefits?
The answer lies in the nutrients found in fruits. With the number of flavonoids, minerals, antioxidants, phytochemicals, vitamins, and macronutrients available in fruits, there should not be any surprise on how these can help the body maintain its tip-top shape. Most diseases develop due to the lack of vitamins and minerals of an individual. If you are getting enough, then your chances of getting sick are slim to none.
What Benefits Can You Reap From Eating Fruits Daily?
A lot! Numerous studies have been conducted to support the fact that fruits are nutritious and not just delicious.
- Incorporating fruits in your diet can lower the odds of encountering stroke, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes when you get older.
- Cancer is an untreatable disease and one that not any of us will want to get entangled with. Adding fruit to your diet may help you stay protected from some cancers. In fact, one study concluded that vegetable intake alone did not have any significant impact on the survival rate of those with breast cancer. However, it showed that consistent intake of fruits might have a small positive effect on those afflicted with diseases (3).
- The phytochemicals found in fruits can substantially help you in giving your diet the much-needed health boost. Unfortunately, the mechanisms of how most of them are able to do that remain unknown (1).
- The dietary fiber found in most fruits improves the flow of the digestive tract and ensures that the processes involved will go smoothly. Thus, lowering the chances of diverticulosis and constipation from occurring. But that is not all dietary fiber can do for you. If you increase your intake of dietary fiber by up to 8 grams daily, the risk of having diabetes mellitus type 2, coronary heart disease, and colorectal cancer decreases by about 5 to 27 percent. Consumption of 25grams to 29 grams of dietary fiber every day is the ideal amount to keep yourself protected (4).
- Some fruits can help aid in keeping the bone healthy by improving bone density. This is very characteristic of fruits rich in vitamin K and calcium. One study incorporated fruits, vegetables, and herbs in their subject’s eating pattern and it seems to have an effect on the metabolic, inflammatory, and bone aspects of health (5).
- Fruits rich in potassium can lower your risk of developing heart disease or having a stroke. This same nutrient can lower the chances of getting kidney stones and suffering from decreased bone density as you get older.
- The antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals in fruits can nourish the skin and keep it looking supple and moisturized. The nutrients can fight off free radicals, so you can maintain your radiant skin for years to come. According to one study, including fruits and vegetables in your diet is the safest way to have a youthful glow, instead of taking high doses of non-physiological isolated antioxidants (6). Fruits are not only for aging skin. You might be able to shun medical grade ointments and creams for your acne if you eat your fair share of fruits. Sometimes, acne can be a cause of gut problems. If you eat fruits that contain pectin, you will no longer need to deal with constipation. Some fruits have cleansing and skin rejuvenating properties that can make your acne go away, as well.
- Fruits can also be good for your hair. If your hair is lacking in luster, vitamin A rich foods can help you. Citrus fruits can also stimulate hair. If you have been suffering from hair loss or grey hair, loading up on fruits when your stomach is empty seems to help.
- Fruit consumption showed an inverse relationship with body weight, while vegetable consumption showed no effect. Increase in fruit intake was tied up with eventual weight loss and has distinctive contributions in the management of body weight (7). It will not take long to notice the change in your weight and overall physique once you start eating fruits frequently. This simple change in diet will help you control your weight, but hitting the gym regularly is still a must.
Fruits fill you up in time for the next meal, so you become less tempted to snack badly. Satiation and satiety begin when the food is consumed and carry on as it proceeds to the digestive tract (8). Fiber enriched fruits can keep you satiated for a long time. Also, the sweetness of some fruits make them ideal desserts and putting an end to those chocolate cravings.
Fruits are almost 90 to 95 percent water. Aside from packing only a few calories, they also impart a diuretic or laxative effect. Waste products and toxins are easily flushed out from your system, leaving your gut clean and keeping those pounds at bay.
Weight loss seems to be a challenging feat for a lot of people, so it is refreshing to realize that something as easy as increasing your fruit intake can be done to speed up the process. Before heading to the grocery and stocking up on various fruits, you might want to read the rest of the article. Below are some of the best fruits that can lead to weight loss.
15 Best Fruits You Should Take When Dieting
1. Apple
Low calories? Check. High in dietary fiber? Check. It only has 116 calories but contains about 5.4 grams of dietary fiber in 223 grams (one large apple) (9). Apples are very filling so you might not need to reach out and grab a chocolate bar, which is by the way thrice less feeling than an apple (10).
Besides keeping the doctor away, an apple a day can help you lose weight. In a comparative study involving apples, oats, and pears (all under the same number of calories), the women who ate apples every day for 10 weeks were able to lose the most number of pounds – 2 pounds, to be precise (11).
Five studies proved that eating apples or drinking apple juice with 240 to 720 mg/d in one to three months caused weight loss in people who are considered plus size (12).
2. Pears
Many people do not see pears as a superfood, but they are deserving of the title. A single per contains approximately 6 grams of fiber, which is already a quarter of your daily needs. This will help keep you full and prevent you from overeating.
Pears are also loaded with vitamin C to fight against free radicals that cause inflammation. They are also a good source of potassium to help lower blood pressure and boost your heart health.
3. Berries
Aside from being delicious and great sources of antioxidants, berries are low in calories with tons of nutrients. A half cup of blueberries can give you the 12 percent of the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) for manganese and vitamin C, plus 18 percent of for vitamin K. A cup of strawberries has 150 percent of vitamin C’s RDI and 30 percent for manganese, plus 3 grams of fiber (9). Berries, like apples, are filling so it can prevent binge-eating or the need for munchies.
The natural chemicals like anthocyanins found in berries help in alleviating conditions like diabetes and metabolic syndrome, which can cause fat accumulation around the waist area (13).
4. Melons
Melons do not have too many calories but have high water content. One cup of melon has only 46 to 61 calories (9).
Even if melons are low in calories, they are abundant in potassium, fiber, and antioxidants like vitamin C, lycopene, and beta-carotene (14).
Consuming fruits that are abundant in water also help lessen the weight. But, you need to be careful. Monitor the portion because some of these fruits have a high gastrointestinal index.
5. Bananas
People always overlook bananas as part of their weight loss program. Bananas, after all, have high calorie and high sugar content. Bananas do contain high calories, but they contain high amounts of nutrients like magnesium, fiber, manganese, and potassium, and vitamins A, C, and B6 (15).
The GI of bananas is low and medium. Bananas can take control of the insulin levels which in turn helps regulate weight. This is evident in people who have diabetes (16).
6. Avocados
Rich in fats and calorie-dense, avocado is a staple in the keto diet. An avocado has 160 calories, so it is pretty rich in calories, as well. But a 100 grams of it has 25 percent of the RDI for vitamin K and 20 percent of folate.
Avocados can suppress hunger. One study offered the same calorie count in every meal for two groups with one group eating avocado during breakfast. That group was given thrice the amount of fat and one third fewer carbohydrates as the control group’s meal. The participants who had avocados for breakfast felt more satisfied than those who did not. They also mentioned feeling less hungry after having an avocado after their meals (17).
7. Oranges
Citrus fruits contain high levels of fiber and vitamin C. Oranges, despite the low calories, are very filling. As a matter of fact, oranges prove to be more filling than a croissant and a muesli bar (10).
Some slimming pills use bitter oranges as the primary ingredients for its ability to burn fat, curb appetite, and improve metabolism.
8. Guava
Guava is a useful weight loss fruit because it is rich in fiber, prevents constipation, and has a low glycemic index.
Low glycemic index foods produce a slow and steady rise in blood sugar, making guavas an ideal weight-loss fruit for people who have diabetes. The fiber in these foods helps you feel full longer. You’re not as hungry, and you feel more satisfied.
Additionally, with only 37 calories in one fruit and 12% of your recommended daily fiber intake, they are a filling, low-calorie snack.
Guavas fiber boosts the metabolic rate of the body, aiding in weight loss, and improving our bowel movements.
9. Grapefruit
Grapefruit is a cross between a pomelo and an orange and is commonly associated with dieting and weight loss.
A serving of half a grapefruit has 65 percent of the RDI for vitamin C with its 39 calories. The red grapefruit also packs 28% of vitamin A’s RDI (10). Grapefruit scores low on the glycemic index level. Monitoring a low GI diet can help in the maintenance of current weight or decreased pounds.
A study conducted on obese people who were given grapefruit or grapefruit juice before big meals in a span of 12 weeks has shown promising results. There was a lower calorie intake, better cholesterol level, and a 7.1 percent decrease in weight (18). Another study stated that grapefruit showed blood pressure and lipid profile improvements (19).
The myth that grapefruit can help in weight loss seems to be a myth in itself.
10. Kiwis
These small, brown-colored fruits with a tinge of green or yellow flesh and black seeds are packed with nutrients. They contain high amounts of vitamins C and E, folate, and fiber, which are all beneficial (9, 20, 21). A small, peeled fruit already contains 2 grams of fiber. Add that to the extra gram that its skin can offer (9, 22). High fiber can help increase feelings of fullness and promote weight loss (23).
Evidence shows that patients with prediabetes may get higher levels of vitamin C, reduced blood pressure, and a waist size reduction of 3.1 centimeters by just eating two pieces of kiwis daily for 12 weeks (24). More studies note that kiwis can also help improve cholesterol, control blood sugar, and support gut health, which may help with weight loss (25, 26).
11. Passion Fruit
A favorite in South America, this fruit grows beautifully in vines. It has low-calorie content and an excellent source of vitamins A and C, iron, potassium, and fiber, which can help curb your appetite (9, 31).
Its edible seeds also contain piceatannol, which is well associated with reductions in BP and enhanced insulin sensitivity in overweight men (27).
12. Stone Fruits
For sure, you have heard of drupes or seasonal fruits like peaches, plums, nectarines, and apricots. Do you like them? You should! They are low calorie, low GI, and nutrient-rich fruits perfect for weight loss (28). Most of them including, a medium-sized peach, two small plums, or four apricots, would provide just approximately 60 calories or less (9). These are perfect substitutes to unhealthy snacks like chips or cookies.
13. Pomegranate
Pomegranate comes filled with antioxidants and potent health effects. It is known to increase the blood flow in your body as well as reduce LDL cholesterol.
It can boost your metabolism. It does so because of the polyphenols and antioxidants present in the fruit. A higher metabolism can increase your chances of weight loss.
Adding pomegranate to your diet aids in weight loss by helping to control your appetite.
14. Papayas
Papaya is a perfect fruit for weight loss because it contains papain, an enzyme that boosts the digestion of food in your body. It is also rich in flavonoids, antioxidants, and vitamin C.
The papayas role in aiding digestion is evidence-based, notably eliminating constipation and reducing bloating (29). Both impacts make you feel more comfortable and lighter and hence, slimmer.
What is more, you are easily able to incorporate this fruit into your diet. You can choose to eat it raw or include it in one of your main meals.
15. Coconut
Are you surprised that coconut is on our list? Many people stay away from coconut when on a diet because of the saturated fats in the fruit.
However, as long as you watch your portion sizes, you don’t need to be concerned about saturated fats in plant foods. They also quickly satiate your hunger.
Additionally, coconut is low on carbs. Dietitians and nutritionists suggest eating low-carb foods for quick weight loss. Many studies support low carb diets for weight loss (30, 31).
If you are craving a snack, take a bite of coconut to feel fuller for longer. There are so many different ways to include coconut in your diet. You can use it in the form of coconut milk, dry fruit, or even coconut oil.
Whole Fruit or Fruit Juice?
A study conducted for 12 weeks showed that the group who consumed fresh grapefruit lost 1.6 kg, while those who took grapefruit juice shed 1.5 kg (32). Apples can control appetite and curb hunger when eaten whole, instead of juiced (33).
Eating the fruit seems to be the perfect way to ensure that you consume all the vitamins and minerals found in it. Taking it in the form of juice is not so bad. Although you must make sure that the fruit juice is made of 100% of the fruit and comes without any additives.
Take Home Message
Instead of investing your money on several weight loss products, try enjoying the benefits of eating fresh fruits or juicing them up! Fruits have different ways of facilitating weight loss. Try eating a variety of them for good measure. You will not just lose weight, you’ll also give your body a regular healthy dose of nutrients.
References:
(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4644575/
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3232233/
(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5428797/
(4) https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190110184737.htm
(5) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3552690/
(6) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583891/
(7) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20022464
(8) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1467-3010.2009.01753.x
(9) https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/
(10) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7498104
(11) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18439712
(12) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29630462
(13) https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090419170112.htm
(14) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12672916
(15) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27041291
(16) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24787494
(17) https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325161.php
(18) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21288350
(19) https://www.metabolismjournal.com/article/S0026-0495(11)00413-6/abstract
(20) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23394981
(21) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29470689
(22) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23394983/
(23) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6073249/
(24) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6073280/
(25) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5707667/
(26) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21147704
(27) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5691758/
(28) http://www.glycemicindex.com/index.php
(29) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23524622/
(30) https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa022207
(31) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022347602402065
(32) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16579728
(33) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19248858
