Five Fantastic Fruits You Should Not Miss Out On

Don’t you just love the delicious taste of tropical fruits? They are a refreshing and delectable treat that will satisfy any person’s sweet craving. Fruits are also very flexible – they can be eaten on their own, or added to salads, desserts, and smoothies.

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But aside from being delicious, tropical fruits also have amazing properties that can greatly benefit your health, protect you from heart disease, and even save your life. Sounds unbelievable? Keep reading and find out what are the tropical fruits that you should not miss out on!

The Versatile Coconut

Did you know that in tropical countries like the Philippines, every part of the coconut plant is used? It is one of the most versatile plants around the world. Many coconut products today, like coconut water and virgin coconut oil, are highly appreciated in the health community.

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Virgin coconut oil, which was previously and falsely vilified in the health community as an “artery clogger and heart disease perpetrator,” is now found to contain many health benefits. Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, which is converted into monolaurin into your body. Monolaurin has antiviral, antibacterial, and antiprotozoal properties. Virgin coconut oil is also said to be the healthiest oil you can use for cooking because it is stable enough to withstand the heat of cooking.

Meanwhile, coconut water is famous for its hydrating properties. It is a sterile and isotonic drink, and has the same electrolyte consistency as human blood. Did you know that during World War II, it was even used as an emergency substitute for blood plasma? That’s how useful this coconut product is!

Longan Berry: China’s “Miracle Berry”

Not many are familiar with the longan berry. A small, yellowish-brown fruit native to China, this has a leathery shell and a sweet taste. It shares similar properties with the lychee fruit. Although it doesn’t seem as famous as other fruits, the longan actually has interesting uses. For example, it is said that it can help neutralize poisons and can work as an antidote to snake bites.

One article from LifeHack.org also says that the longan berry also helps lower stress because it has relaxing properties. The longan is also known for its antioxidant, liver-protective, and anti-cancer properties. It is rich in vitamin A, C, iron, and potassium. Check your local Asian supermarket to see if they sell this interesting fruit.

Mangosteen: The Cancer-Destroying Fruit

If you have never heard of mangosteen before, don’t be surprised – it’s not available in many US supermarkets. Mangosteen is native to tropical Asian countries like Malaysia, India, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. What makes this fruit so amazing is that it contains cancer cell-destroying xanthones.

Mangosteen is also used as a remedy for:

• Diarrhea
• Eczema
• Dysentery
• Skin ailments
• Fever

However, make sure to only eat the fresh mangosteen. Many mangosteen concoctions sold today are loaded with sugar and high fructose corn syrup, which may damage your health.

The Low-Fructose Avocado

Other fruits are loaded with fructose, but avocado is not one of them. In fact, a single avocado only has two grams of carbohydrates! The avocado, which is native to tropical countries and South and Central America, has been associated with many health benefits. It protects your heart and liver. Avocado also has anti-inflammatory properties.

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But just because avocado is low in fructose doesn’t mean you should eat it every day. This may put you at risk of food allergies. Consume it moderately. You can eat it for breakfast or serve it as a healthy dessert.

A final note: fruits are great, but eat them in moderation. Fruits, even though they are healthier than processed foods,still contain fructose, which may wreak havoc on your health. Keep your fruit consumption to just a few grams per day, and you’ll surely reap the benefits!

A natural health advocate, blogger, and magazine columnist, Cecille Chi is currently seeking for ways to improve her holistic diet. After having been diagnosed with diabetes, she has now eliminated all forms of processed, fructose-rich foods from her diet. She has switched to raw, organic products and makes it a point to prepare her meals at home. She joins natural health forums to swap cooking and food preparation tips with other natural health advocates. During her free time, Cecille enjoys reading health articles from Dr. Joseph Mercola.

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