Everyone knows fruit is “good for you.” Most of us have a general sense of the things that make them so, but do we really know the specifics? They have vitamins and minerals. Fiber too right? Surely there’s some antioxidants involved as well.
The fact is, the best thing to do is eat fruit often and eat a variety of it. Sometimes it’s easy just to reach for a banana rather than go to the trouble of hacking away at a pineapple. But relying exclusively on one or two types isn’t just boring; it also means you might be missing out on the broad spectrum of nutrients and health benefits you can get from all fruits.
With that in mind, let’s dive into what really makes fruit so special, starting with the fruit in the juices in All Friends Beverages.
The Hidden Powers of Fruit
- Blueberries:
- Antioxidants: Blueberries are rich in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which help protect cells from oxidative damage and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
- Vitamin C: Blueberries are a good source of vitamin C, which supports the immune system and promotes skin health.
- Fiber: They contain dietary fiber, which aids digestion and can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
- Strawberries:
- Vitamin C: Strawberries are high in vitamin C, which is essential for collagen production, immune function, and skin health.
- Folate: They provide folate (vitamin B9), important for cell division and the formation of DNA.
- Antioxidants: Strawberries also contain antioxidants like quercetin and anthocyanins that can have anti-inflammatory effects.
- Pineapples:
- Vitamin C: Pineapples are a great source of vitamin C, which boosts the immune system and aids in wound healing.
- Bromelain: This enzyme found in pineapples has anti-inflammatory and digestive properties, making it beneficial for digestion and reducing inflammation.
- Manganese: Pineapples are rich in manganese, which is important for bone health and enzyme function.
- Mangoes:
- Vitamin A: Mangoes are high in vitamin A, which is essential for maintaining healthy skin, vision, and immune function.
- Vitamin C: They also contain vitamin C, supporting the immune system and skin health.
- Dietary Fiber: Mangoes provide dietary fiber, which aids in digestion and can help regulate blood sugar levels.
When to buy fruit
Eating fruit that is in season in your region is the best choice in terms of sustainability. For your friends at AF HQ for example, we can eat a wide variety in the summer– berries, soft flesh pitted fruits and cherries among them. In the fall we’re reaching for pears and we can eat apples for much of the year.
It’s not always possible to eat regional fruit when you live in cold weather climates. No matter when someone in Minnesota decides to eat one, for example, a pineapple isn’t going to be grown in their region. The best you can do is eat local fruit when possible, and take in a variety of fruit the rest of the year- regardless of where it was grown.
While eating a whole piece of fruit is the best way to reap its benefits, we’ve added functional ingredients to our fruit juice-based beverages, making All Friends the only foodservice better-for-you beverage on the market. Learn more about those functional ingredients including electrolytes, B vitamins, and antioxidants.
While All Friends Beverage might not be as powerful as a piece of fruit, we like to think these functional ingredients make them the next best thing.
