Summer Fruits

Summer Fruits - YUM!

Summer sees the arrival of all sorts of yummy fruits that I personally cannot wait for!
After months and months of the same old apples, bananas and pears, I find myself drooling at the thought of sinking my teeth in to some succulent sweet watermelon. Or how about some heavenly honeydew melon, passionate pineapple, beautiful berries and magnificent mangoes?

Hungry? Me too! And the best thing about these fruits are they not only taste delicious they are so very good for you! There is so much more to choose from at this time of year, so if you have a sweet tooth like me, then take advantage of the fabulous fruit that is in season. Fill up your trolley with an array of fruits and make try to make sure that you include as many different fruits in your weekly and daily diet as you can to obtain maximum health benefits.

Fruit in general is good for health in many ways; good for the immune system, digestion, healthier skin hair and eyes, heart health and better circulation, good for the nervous and respiratory systems. The benefits just go on and on. So it is vital for good health to include these foods in your daily diet regime.

Did you know that:

Apricots are:

Good for Pregnant women, or women of childbearing age as they are a good source of iron.

Excellent for most skin and respiratory conditions

Dried apricots are good for constipation and fluid retention

High in Beta-carotene which the body converts to vitamin A

Ripe, fresh apricots are great for those who are at higher risk of getting cancer.

Nectarines and Peaches are:

Good for pregnant women

A great and gentle laxative

Useful for those with High Cholesterol

Dried peaches are good for those with fatigue and anaemia

Both are best eaten raw and ripe (and washed!)

Cherries are:

Best eaten when they are fresh, cooked or bottled.

A good diuretic

Good for the joints

Excellent for Cancer protection as they contain ellagic acid which inhabits carcinogenic cells.

Contain vitamin C and contain next to no sodium (salt)

Honeydew Melon and Watermelon are:

Cooling & delicious for hotter days ...

Watermelon seeds are a good treatment for urinary infections (kidney & bladder problems) The seeds are simmered in water for 30 minutes to make a tea...

Are a great gentle laxative.

Are best eaten raw and on their own as they ferment rapidly in the stomach.

Berries are:

Blackberries are a very strong antioxidant, protective against cancer, infections and those undergoing treatment for cancer.

Good for the heart & skin problems.

Good for circulation

Raspberries are vital for the convalescent, those with heart problems, fatigue or depression and cancer protection & immunity.

Good for mouth problems

Cranberries are excellent for boosting the immune system.

Great for cystitis and other urinary tract infections

Blueberries are good for diarrhoea and urinary tract infections.

Good for varicose veins

Strawberries are excellent for cancer protection.

Strawberries help eliminate uric acid from the body which can cause joint irritation, thus making strawberries great for arthritis.

They help to eliminate cholesterol.

They are highly effective against heart & circulatory disease.

Red currants are excellent immune system boosters.

The juice of red berries can help lower a fever.

Blackcurrants are excellent for building immunity and incredibly useful for cancer protection.

Powerful antioxidants protecting against heart disease & circulatory problems.

Help with water retention.

Great for high blood pressure, stress & anxiety sufferers.

Mangoes:

Contains more than a day's requirement of Vitamin C

Have nearly half a day requirement of Vitamin E

Contain Postassium, Iron and Nicotinic Acid.

Great for Skin problems, convalescence and cancer protection.

So there you go - there is no reason you cannot tuck into some of these delicious fruits to help preserve your health and assist in a longer life.

Being healthier certainly adds to ones enjoyment of life - so gals get down to that fresh fruit market or the local shopping center fruit and vegie section and get your hands on some Summer Fruits!

While they're in season - get to it! Do something positive toward a healthier life!

- Michelle Palmer