7 Best Summer Fruits to Eat
Summertime means a bounty of fresh, delicious, and healthy fruit. Whether you grow your own, go to your local farmer’s market or produce store, this is the best time of the year for summer fruit.
Whether you eat fruit fresh, use in salads, or in your favorite recipes, make sure you wash thoroughly before you eat, according to Country Living. From berries to melons, nature’s bounty is ready to eat.
Blueberries
Blueberries are a superfood because of their powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, according to Healthline. That’s because the same anthocyanin – a plant pigment and flavonoid – that gives the berries their deep blue coloring helps fight free radicals that can damage your cells and your health.
Eating just one cup of blueberries contains 24 percent of your daily recommended amount of Vitamin C. The berries contain other important vitamins and minerals as well as containing a large amount of fiber. Other summer berries that have health benefits include blackberry, raspberry, blackberry, elderberry, and more.
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Cherries
Cherries are a great source of the anthocyanins and hydroxycinnamates antioxidants that help protect your body from oxidative stress. When it comes to cherries, the darker the color the better. These summer gems are also good for your gut because of the high fiber and potassium content that are found in cherries.
But did you know that eating cherries can also make you happy? That’s because the fruit contains serotonin. Cherries can also help you get a good night’s sleep because they also contain tryptophan and melatonin.
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Watermelon
There is no more refreshing and hydrating summer fruit than watermelon, reported Greatest. That’s because watermelon contains 92 percent water, but the other eight percent is full of vitamins A, C, B1, B5, and B6, minerals, as well as the antioxidant lycopene which could help reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers. Watermelons are actually lower in sugar than other fruits and make a healthy summer dessert.
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Strawberries
This bright red super fruit is a summer favorite. That’s because the fruit is delicious and highly nutritious, according to Healthline. Strawberries contain a large amount of vitamin C, folate and manganese, as well as plant polyphenols like flavonoids and anthocyanins.
Strawberries are also a good food for diabetics because they have a low glycemic index and will not cause a spike in blood sugar. You can indulge in strawberries straight from the patch or in your favorite summer recipes.
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Grapes
Grapes are a healthy fruit that contains many health benefits. That’s because grapes support heart health due to the vitamin k and potassium contained in these small gems. Grapes are also a rich source of plant compounds like anthocyanins, quercetin, caffeic acid and kaempferol. While all grapes contain these benefits, red and purple grapes contain more anthocyanins and have been linked to better brain health.
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Peaches
These fuzzy fruits are also a summer favorite. While both the flesh and skin are nutritious, the skin contains a higher number of antioxidants, including the carotenoids beta carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Peaches are also a good source of potassium, fiber and vitamins A, C, and E.
If you love peaches, the good news is that canned peaches contain the same nutrient amounts as fresh. Just be sure to buy them packed in water and not syrup.
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Figs
Fresh figs are also a very healthy fruit and are usually ripe during the late summer, according to Country Living. This fruit of the ficus tree is high in natural sugars, vitamins and minerals. Figs are also an excellent source of calcium and flavonoids. Even though the fruit is high in sugar, figs are low on the glycemic index and safe for diabetics to enjoy. Figs are available fried all year long.
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