Summertime Brings an Abundance of Fresh Superfoods to Enjoy
Experts say one of the easiest as well as one of the tastiest ways to improve our health is to eat a variety of colorful fresh fruit and vegetables. Regretfully statistics report nine out of ten adults fail to meet the minimum requirement of three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit a day. A recent CDC survey found 95% of US adults said they eat some amount of vegetables each day but only 70% said they ate some fruit.
This means too many adults are missing out on the minerals, vitamins, fiber and antioxidants fruits provide. At 90 calories a cup, cherries are a good example of a superfood readily available this time of the year. One cup of cherries provides 3 grams of fiber as well as vitamin C and potassium. As a source of anthocyanins, they offer antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, cardiovascular and other benefits. Cherries also contain melatonin, a sleep inducing hormone, and flavonoids that are linked to improving muscle soreness and blood pressure. Other research reports cherries can help with gout. Cherries can be enjoyed fresh or added to flavor foods from grains to ice cream.
The heat of summer makes it the perfect time to enjoy a salad with the wide variety of greens available including lettuce, arugula, romaine, chard, spinach, and kale. Add another superfood to the mix, a tomato, which contains lycopene, a potent antioxidant known to protect eyesight, and provide anti-cancer and heart health benefits.
Like a refreshing glass of water, watermelon lives up to its name with 92% water content. Along with being a tasty way to rehydrate during the hot days of summer, watermelon contains vitamins and minerals along with lycopene, antioxidants and amino acids. Also did you know one cup of strawberries offers more vitamin C than an orange? Researchers say strawberries may help decrease harmful LDLs and other risk factors for chronic diseases. So while you are making the most of the warmer weather, be sure to enjoy the abundant “fruits of summers.”
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