Feel the benefits of getting fruity

Oct 7 2008 By Diane Parkes

SHOPPERS in the UK have never had a wider choice of fruit and vegetables than today.

Head off to any market, supermarket or farm shop and the chances are you will be faced with fresh produce which you never even knew existed.

While old people may reminisce about the days without bananas, there are many of us who remember childhood with no such thing as persimmons, kumquats and passion fruit.

And not only can we enjoy a host of new tastes and colours, there are also plenty of health benefits in these more exotic choices.

* Sweet Potatoes

Beloved by followers of the Glycaemic Index diets, sweet potato is high in iron, potassium carotenes and vitamins C and E without being high in sugars. Eating plenty of sweet potato helps regulate blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease, strokes and some forms of cancer.

* Papaya

Plenty of vitamin C which helps the body heal and fends off colds. Plus, when eaten raw, it helps aid digestion.

* Blueberries

One of the superfoods, blueberry’s beta-carotene helps promote eye health while its flavanoids help blood circulation and have a strong antioxidant function to fend off a range of illnesses. They can also settle the stomach and treat urinary tract infections.

* Figs

High in fibre, figs are an ideal answer to constipation as well as being rich in potassium, calcium, iron and magnesium.

* Avocado

Rich in vitamin E which can help fend off stroke, heart attack, some cancers and cataracts and a good source of monounsaturated fats which help maintain cholesterol levels. Good for the skin and hair.

* Cranberries

Drunk as juice or eaten as fruit, cranberries are one of the best treatments for urinary tract infections. Also helps to build the body’s immunity to infection.

* Mangos

Contains plenty of vitamin E which helps reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, cataracts and some cancers. Rich in carotenes.