Lemons came out top of the list, followed by strawberry, orange, lime, and pink and red grapefruit. In this article, we look at the nutrition and the many and varied health benefits of these and other fruits you can find in the supermarket.
While all fruits are healthy, registered dietitian nutritionist Danielle Crumble Smith recommends one nutrient-packed fruit in particular – wild blueberries. Blueberries contain lots of fiber, which keeps you fuller for longer. They also rank among the fruits and vegetables with the highest antioxidant content.
Lemons: In a 2014 study looking at the most nutrient-dense fruit, lemons came out on top with 17 nutrients. So you can feel good about a squeeze of lemon or lemon zest on your food. Blueberries: Blueberries contain anthocyanins, which are the special pigments that give them their rich color.
If you could only select five foods to survive on, potatoes, kale, trail mix, grains, and beans would get you pretty far.
Including lean protein, vegetables, and nuts in the diet every day can help people stay healthy and prevent certain chronic conditions. Some plant foods, such as cruciferous vegetables and berries, contain particularly beneficial compounds, including polyphenols and glucosinolates.
Good choices include oranges, blueberries, apples, avocados, and bananas, but there are many more to choose from. Fruits are an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals, and they are high in fiber. Fruits also provide a wide range of health-boosting antioxidants, including flavonoids.
"The only food that provides all the nutrients that humans need is human milk," Hattner said. "Mother's milk is a complete food. We may add some solid foods to an infant's diet in the first year of life to provide more iron and other nutrients, but there is a little bit of everything in human milk."
The fruits with the highest sugar content include mangoes, pomegranates, oranges, and pears. If someone has diabetes, they can still have these fruits, but they may wish to ask their doctor if they should eat them in smaller portions.
While apples contain more fiber, an important nutrient that aids in healthy digestion and lowering cholesterol, oranges provide more vitamins and minerals including the ever-powerful vitamin C.
With their jade-green flesh, tiny black seeds and naturally sweet taste – there's plenty to love about the kiwi fruit. It's also one of the healthiest fruits around, with kiwi benefits ranging from improved sleep to better skin.
We need vitamin C to support the immune system, promote radiant skin and help blemishes heal. The best sources are blackcurrants, blueberries, broccoli, guava, kiwi fruits, oranges, papaya, strawberries and sweet potatoes.
The banana (Musa sapientum) together with its relative, the plantain (Musa paradisiaca) is the most consumed fruit in the world.
If meat and animal products are part of your diet, here's a list of foods that in summation contain all 13 essential vitamins. Meat (especially liver), fish (especially salmon), dark leafy green vegetables, milk, nuts, and whole grains.
Eating fruits at night can help you meet your daily nutrient requirements and provide your body with the necessary vitamins and minerals. Fruits like bananas, kiwis, oranges, and melons are rich in potassium, vitamin C, and folate, making them an excellent choice for bedtime snacks.