10 Red Fruits to Stimulate Your Health
It’s Valentines day and everything is Red – flowers, candy, red hearts, and gifts are all exchanged in the name of romance and St. Valentine. Valentine’s day is second to only Christmas as the most popular holiday for sending cards in the United States. Many of us will be indulging in chocolate gifted from our ‘sweets,’ going out to romantic dinners at fine dining restaurants, or enjoying a beautiful home cooked meal to celebrate the day. But there is no reason that we can’t throw a little sweet “red” healthiness in the diet today. I am talking about Red Fruits.
You know what they say, an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but so will these 10 healthy red fruits loaded with antioxidants:
Red Fruit # 1 – Apples!
High in fiber and extremely fillingApples contain phytonutrients and antioxidants that have been shown to reduce the risk of developing cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. Quick Tip: pick up a dehydrator and dehydrate your apples. They will keep for longer and are a healthy and filling snack! Hamilton Beach 32100A Food Dehydrator, Gray
Red Fruit # 2 – Cherries
High in fiber, these bite-sized blissful delights are packed with fiber and potassium, and like strawberries, high in vitamin C. Quick Tip: For a healthy snack, Make your own Dark Chocolate Cherry Trail Mix. Check out my post on dark chocolate.
Red Fruit # 3 – Cranberries
Cranberries help cleanse the urinary tract of bacteria and are also a healthy source of vitamin C. Quick Tip: Check out these four cranberry relish recipes.
Red Fruit # 4 – Raspberries
Raspberries are high in fiber, which helps lower levels bad cholesterol, strong antioxidants such as Vitamin C, quercetin and gallic acid that help defend against heart and circulatory disease, as well as possessing anti-aging properties. Quick Tip:Try this frozen smoothie as part of a healthy breakfast.
Red Fruit # 5 – Watermelon
Watermelon is mostly water contains vitamins A, B6 and C, improves blood flow and lowers the risk of stroke. Watermelons are mostly water — about 92 percent — but this refreshing fruit is soaked with nutrients. Quick Tip: Snack on watermelon. It is incredibly healthy and will fill you up while satisfying the need for your ‘sweet’ fix!
Red Fruit # 6 – Pink Grapefruit
Color is everything when it comes to grapefruit. Pink or red grapefruit has higher levels of antioxidants, such as vitamin C, and also contains pectin and high amounts of lycopene, which helps lower cholesterol. Quick Tip: Try out this awesome Grapefruit & Avocado Salad recipe.
Red Fruit # 7 – Pomegranate
Though it is actually a berry, pomegranates are an antioxidant, a great source of vitamin C, Vitamin K, high in fiber and contain anti-inflammatory properties. Quick Tip: Learn more about this amazing “berry.”
Red Fruit # 8 – Nectarines
One nectarine contains 60-80 calories depending on the size and is a good source of Beta-carotene, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Fiber, and Potassium. Quick Tip: Try out this delicious Grilled Nectarine Salad!
Red Fruit # 9 – Plums
Plums are underrated in the fruit kingdom! Possessing high levels of with dietary fiber, sorbitol and isatin, plums aid in digestion. They are low in calories, low on the glycemic index, & high in Potassium making plums beneficial to heart health. Quick Tip: Try making spicy roasted plums as your side for your next roasted chicken dish
Red Fruit # 10 – Strawberries
Strawberries are high in Folic acid & a great source of vitamin C. Quick tip: Strawberries are great by themselves or add them to your oatmeal, cereal and frozen yogurt smoothie as part of a healthy breakfast.
As I have said before…a balanced diet is the key to a healthy lifestyle. As part of that healthy lifestyle, these red fruits provide significant nutritional content while providing you the sweet taste of sugar without all of the harmful effects.
Have a happy Valentines Day!
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This post first appeared on Encinitas OBGYN Gynecologists | HRT | Menopause |, please read the originial post: here
