We’ve all heard about how nutritious fruits are. In fact, fruits are always on the top spot when it comes to diet meal plans and whole foods checklists.
Fruits are widely available in the market, undeniably delicious and easy to eat. Fruits contain essential nutrients beneficial to the body. The problem is, more and more people are getting confused because of this fact: Fruits contain natural sugars such as fructose and sucrose.
What’s the big deal? Excessive amounts of sugar can lead to serious health problems. Too much sugar exposes you to health risks such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease. Excessive sugar also weakens your immune system which leads you to more health hazards.
The question is, is sugar from fruit really that bad? Definitely not. Let me share with you the reasons why you shouldn’t worry too much about your favorite fruit’s sugar content.
Fruits are Highly Nutritious
The natural sugar in fruit is relatively lower compared to the sugar content in your favourite dessert. Natural sugars in fruit are actually too low to affect your blood sugar level.
Sugar only becomes harmful when taken excessively so it won’t be much of a problem if you take in a slice or two of your favourite fruit. Moreover, fruits are a rich source of under-consumed vitamins and minerals such as dietary fiber, vitamin C and potassium.
Fruits are also rich in antioxidants that help prevent cell damage caused by free radicals. They’re a popular choice for health-conscious people for fruits are low in calories, sodium and fat. This just goes to show that more than the sugar content, fruits have enough nutrition in them that are far more beneficial than your favourite sweet treats.
Fruits Contain Fiber
Let’s put the spotlight on fiber, an essential nutrient found in fruits.
Fiber helps maintain digestive health and it also helps control blood sugar levels. Fiber in fruits also makes you feel full for longer periods of time. Essentially, you’re taking in less sugar with just a few servings of fresh fruit compared to eating loads of sugary desserts.
This simply means that a slice of fruit is a smarter choice than cookies or other sweet snacks. A smarter move would be to pick fruits that have lower sugar content such as berries, lemons and kiwis.
It’s also a better choice to eat fresh fruits than dried ones. Because of the removal of water, dried fruits contain higher amounts of natural sugars as compared to fresh fruits.
Conclusion
Clearly, the benefits outweigh the risks when it comes to sugar in fruits. Choosing a low-sugar fruit over ice cream is a great way to stay healthy while still enjoying what you eat. You get to enjoy the recommended amounts of sugar in a slice of fruit and experience the nutritional benefits in one go.
Note that not all fruits have the same sugar content in them. With this, remember that anything in excess is bad for you so make it a point to choose carefully and eat just the right amount.